The UK's pub-circuit anchor format
Hire Covers Bands
Covers bands for pubs, bars, residencies and parties - hear the band, agree the sets in the chat and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Covers Bands
A covers band plays well-known songs from other artists - indie, rock, pop and singalong anthems - and is the backbone of the UK pub and bar circuit. Most are 3 to 5 piece and bring their own PA. For pubs see live music for pubs, for weddings and corporate events see function bands.
Booking Playbook
Pubs · Bars · Private parties · Birthdays · Pub residencies. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookWeekend nights and December go first - 1 to 3 months ahead for a pub Saturday, longer for Christmas. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: 2 x 45 to 60 minute sets in a pub or bar, often with a residency on the same night each month. Agree the PA, the volume, the load-in and the finish time. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Too loud for the room. Agree the volume and any sound limiter. 2. No residency plan. A regular night builds a crowd - agree the dates in one contract. 3. Not hearing them live. Ask for live video. 4. Power and space. Check the stage area and sockets. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of covers band is, and the room it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Acoustic duoTwo players on acoustic guitars, one or both singing, sometimes with a cajon for the rhythm. Suits: Smaller pubs, bars and early evening sets. |
| 3-pieceGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing. Suits: Most pub stages - the backbone of the UK covers circuit. |
| 4 to 5 pieceThe 3-piece plus a front singer, keys or a second guitar, for a fuller sound and a wider set list. Suits: Bigger bars, function rooms and private parties. |
| Themed coversA set built around one decade or style - 80s, 90s indie, Britpop or rock classics - often with the look to match. Suits: Themed nights, decade parties and events. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and covers bands of every size can apply.
Covers Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| Pub and bar nightsTwo sets on a Friday or Saturday. Agree: Volume and finish - see live music for pubs. |
| ResidenciesThe same band on a regular night. Agree: A run of dates in one contract. |
| Private partiesTwo sets of singalong anthems. Agree: A request list - see party bands. |
| ClubsA members’ or social club night. Agree: The club rules - see live music for clubs. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £281–£474 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Universal pub-circuit covers
| Don't Stop Me Now — Queen |
| Mr Brightside — The Killers |
| Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond |
| Don't Stop Believin' — Journey |
| Sex on Fire — Kings of Leon |
| I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys |
| Wonderwall — Oasis |
| Don't Look Back in Anger — Oasis |
| Mardy Bum — Arctic Monkeys |
Indie / rock crowd-pleasers
| Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand |
| Chelsea Dagger — The Fratellis |
| I Predict a Riot — Kaiser Chiefs |
| 7 Nation Army — The White Stripes |
| Are You Gonna Be My Girl — Jet |
| Use Somebody — Kings of Leon |
Soul / motown crossover
| Valerie — Amy Winehouse |
| Superstition — Stevie Wonder |
| Higher Love — Steve Winwood |
| I Heard It Through the Grapevine — Marvin Gaye |
| September — Earth, Wind & Fire |
Sing-along anchors
| Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen |
| Hey Jude — The Beatles |
| Twist and Shout — The Beatles |
| Country Roads — John Denver |
| I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) — The Proclaimers |
| Galway Girl — Ed Sheeran |
Modern dancefloor
| Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars |
| Hey Ya — OutKast |
| I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys (yes, again) |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Covers Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Pub circuit (highest volume)
| Independent gastropubs — entry-level Saturday night bookings |
| Sport-pub chains — large-format weekend covers nights |
| Music-programmed pubs (The Hare & Hounds Birmingham, The Brudenell Leeds, Hope & Ruin Brighton) — established weekly programmes |
Private parties
| Country house hotel bars and function rooms |
| Restaurant private hire rooms (50–100 guests) |
| Members' clubs (smaller-format covers acoustic acts) |
Festival / outdoor
| Town festivals, food festivals, country shows — covers acts headline most regional events |
| Beer festivals and craft brewery events with stage programming |
| Corporate summer parties and outdoor team events |
Wedding / corporate (4–5 piece tier)
| Country house hotels — wedding receptions |
| Mid-tier hotel ballrooms — corporate Christmas, summer parties |
| Cricket and rugby clubs — sport hospitality bookings |
Universities and student venues
| Student unions — graduation balls, freshers events |
| University-adjacent pubs — termtime weekly programmes |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a birthday party? See live music for a birthday party.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
Find and hire covers bands direct. Browse, compare and hire covers bands direct.
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Costs & RatesLive
What covers bands cost in 2026. Realistic 2026 fees before you book.
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The Booking PlaybookFree
When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
When to book (and when prices spike)
What lineup and format works
Repertoire and format guidance
Mistakes that cost real money
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Ready to Book a covers band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Hire Covers Bands
Covers bands for pubs, bars, residencies and parties - hear the band, agree the sets in the chat and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Covers Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book covers bands direct in the UK. 19 covers bands are on the platform, booked for pubs, bars, private parties, birthdays and pub residencies. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A covers band plays well-known songs from other artists - indie, rock, pop and singalong anthems - and is the backbone of the UK pub and bar circuit. Most are 3 to 5 piece and bring their own PA. For pubs see live music for pubs, for weddings and corporate events see function bands.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse Covers Bands
All 19 covers bands on GigXchange. Filter by line-up and region, then open a profile to listen and message. Every profile has a message button, and most carry music to play and a fee range.
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of covers band is, and the room it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Acoustic duoTwo players on acoustic guitars, one or both singing, sometimes with a cajon for the rhythm.Suits: Smaller pubs, bars and early evening sets.
- 3-pieceGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing.Suits: Most pub stages - the backbone of the UK covers circuit.
- 4 to 5 pieceThe 3-piece plus a front singer, keys or a second guitar, for a fuller sound and a wider set list.Suits: Bigger bars, function rooms and private parties.
- Themed coversA set built around one decade or style - 80s, 90s indie, Britpop or rock classics - often with the look to match.Suits: Themed nights, decade parties and events.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and covers bands of every size can apply.
Covers Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- Pub and bar nightsTwo sets on a Friday or Saturday.Agree: Volume and finish - see live music for pubs.
- ResidenciesThe same band on a regular night.Agree: A run of dates in one contract.
- Private partiesTwo sets of singalong anthems.Agree: A request list - see party bands.
- ClubsA members’ or social club night.Agree: The club rules - see live music for clubs.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Pubs · Bars · Private parties · Birthdays · Pub residencies. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Weekend nights and December go first - 1 to 3 months ahead for a pub Saturday, longer for Christmas. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: 2 x 45 to 60 minute sets in a pub or bar, often with a residency on the same night each month. Agree the PA, the volume, the load-in and the finish time.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too loud for the room. Agree the volume and any sound limiter. 2. No residency plan. A regular night builds a crowd - agree the dates in one contract. 3. Not hearing them live. Ask for live video. 4. Power and space. Check the stage area and sockets. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £281–£474 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Universal pub-circuit covers
- Don't Stop Me NowQueen
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond
- Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- Sex on FireKings of Leon
- I Bet You Look Good on the DancefloorArctic Monkeys
- WonderwallOasis
- Don't Look Back in AngerOasis
- Mardy BumArctic Monkeys
Indie / rock crowd-pleasers
- Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand
- Chelsea DaggerThe Fratellis
- I Predict a RiotKaiser Chiefs
- 7 Nation ArmyThe White Stripes
- Are You Gonna Be My GirlJet
- Use SomebodyKings of Leon
Soul / motown crossover
- ValerieAmy Winehouse
- SuperstitionStevie Wonder
- Higher LoveSteve Winwood
- I Heard It Through the GrapevineMarvin Gaye
- SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
Sing-along anchors
- Bohemian RhapsodyQueen
- Hey JudeThe Beatles
- Twist and ShoutThe Beatles
- Country RoadsJohn Denver
- I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)The Proclaimers
- Galway GirlEd Sheeran
Modern dancefloor
- Uptown FunkBruno Mars
- Hey YaOutKast
- I Bet You Look Good on the DancefloorArctic Monkeys (yes, again)
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Covers Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Pub circuit (highest volume)
- Independent gastropubsentry-level Saturday night bookings
- Sport-pub chainslarge-format weekend covers nights
- Music-programmed pubs (The Hare & Hounds Birmingham, The Brudenell Leeds, Hope & Ruin Brighton)established weekly programmes
Private parties
- Country house hotel bars and function rooms
- Restaurant private hire rooms (50–100 guests)
- Members' clubs (smaller-format covers acoustic acts)
Festival / outdoor
- Town festivals, food festivals, country showscovers acts headline most regional events
- Beer festivals and craft brewery events with stage programming
- Corporate summer parties and outdoor team events
Wedding / corporate (4–5 piece tier)
- Country house hotelswedding receptions
- Mid-tier hotel ballroomscorporate Christmas, summer parties
- Cricket and rugby clubssport hospitality bookings
Universities and student venues
- Student unionsgraduation balls, freshers events
- University-adjacent pubstermtime weekly programmes
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a birthday party? See live music for a birthday party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a covers band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.