The UK's default party-band format
Hire Function Bands
Function bands for weddings, corporate nights and parties - hear the band, agree the sets in the chat and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Function Bands
A function band plays a set list built for a dancefloor - pop, rock, soul, Motown and disco everybody knows - at weddings, corporate events, birthdays and anniversaries. Most are 4 to 6 piece with vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with sax or brass. A wedding band is a function band booked for a wedding, a party band leans into themes, and a covers band usually plays pubs and bars.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Corporate · Parties · Anniversaries. 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 BookWeddings and December book out first - 6 to 12 months ahead for a peak Saturday or the Christmas party season, 2 to 3 months for most corporate dates. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: 2 x 60 minute or 3 x 45 minute sets with a playlist in the breaks. Confirm the PA and lights, the power, the load-in time, the stage space and the finish time the venue allows. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Booking from a demo alone. Ask for live video. 2. No plan for the room. Tell the band the guest numbers and the room size so the line-up fits. 3. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times, breaks and playlist. 4. Venue limits. Sound limiters and early finishes change the night - check first. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking comes with one you both sign. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of function band is, and what 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.
| TrioGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing - keys or backing tracks can fill out the sound. Suits: Smaller rooms, tighter budgets and venues with a volume limit. |
| 4-pieceA lead singer with guitar, bass and drums - the standard function line-up that covers most of the set list. Suits: Most parties, receptions and corporate nights. |
| 5 to 6 pieceThe 4-piece plus keys, a second singer or a sax, so the soul, Motown and disco songs sound like the records. Suits: Larger rooms and a fuller sound. |
| 7-piece and upA full band with a horn section - usually sax, trumpet and trombone - and backing vocals for soul, Motown and funk. Suits: Corporate galas, big ballrooms and large weddings. |
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 function bands of every size can apply.
Function 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.
| WeddingsEvening sets after the first dance, a playlist in the breaks. Agree: The first dance song and the finish - see wedding bands. |
| Corporate eventsA short set after dinner, then a dance set, sometimes an awards walk-on. Agree: Dress code, timings and volume - see awards night bands. |
| Christmas partiesTwo dance sets with the Christmas classics. Agree: The date early - see Christmas party bands. |
| Birthdays and anniversariesSongs from the guest of honour’s decade, then the dancefloor anchors. Agree: A request list a few weeks ahead. |
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.
Pop-rock anchors (universal)
| Don't Stop Me Now — Queen |
| Mr Brightside — The Killers |
| Sex on Fire — Kings of Leon |
| Use Somebody — Kings of Leon |
| I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys |
| Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand |
| Wonderwall — Oasis |
| Don't Look Back in Anger — Oasis |
Soul / Motown / disco
| Valerie — Amy Winehouse |
| Superstition — Stevie Wonder |
| I Wish — Stevie Wonder |
| September — Earth, Wind & Fire |
| Higher and Higher — Jackie Wilson |
| Signed Sealed Delivered — Stevie Wonder |
| Reach Out I'll Be There — Four Tops |
Modern dancefloor (2010s–2020s)
| Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars |
| Treasure — Bruno Mars |
| Happy — Pharrell Williams |
| Can't Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake |
| Levitating — Dua Lipa |
| Watermelon Sugar — Harry Styles |
Sing-along closers
| Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond |
| Don't Stop Believin' — Journey |
| Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston |
| Hey Jude — The Beatles |
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 Function 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.
Mid-tier private events
| Country house hotels (Cotswolds, Surrey, Berkshire) — wedding circuit |
| Hotel ballrooms (Hilton, Park Plaza, Marriott) — corporate Christmas, milestone parties |
| Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned) — premium intimate format |
Premium corporate
| ICC Birmingham — large-format awards |
| Manchester Central — North West corporate flagship |
| EICC Edinburgh — Scottish corporate |
| Grosvenor House — London awards flagship |
Wedding venues
| Cliveden House (Berkshire), Hedsor House (Buckinghamshire), Eastnor Castle (Herefordshire) — premium |
Themed event spaces
| The Roundhouse — large-format private |
| Tobacco Dock — London warehouse weddings |
| Old Royal Naval College — heritage charity galas |
Local market entry points
| Gastropubs and country pubs — entry-level function band bookings |
| Sport venues (Old Trafford, Etihad, Lord's) — corporate hospitality |
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 wedding? See live music for a wedding.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
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Costs & RatesLive
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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
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Mistakes that cost real money
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Ready to Book a function 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 Function Bands
Function bands for weddings, corporate nights and parties - hear the band, agree the sets in the chat and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Function Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book function bands direct in the UK. 47 function bands are on the platform, booked for weddings, corporate, parties and anniversaries. 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 function band plays a set list built for a dancefloor - pop, rock, soul, Motown and disco everybody knows - at weddings, corporate events, birthdays and anniversaries. Most are 4 to 6 piece with vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with sax or brass. A wedding band is a function band booked for a wedding, a party band leans into themes, and a covers band usually plays pubs and bars.
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 Function Bands
All 47 function 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 function band is, and what 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.
- TrioGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing - keys or backing tracks can fill out the sound.Suits: Smaller rooms, tighter budgets and venues with a volume limit.
- 4-pieceA lead singer with guitar, bass and drums - the standard function line-up that covers most of the set list.Suits: Most parties, receptions and corporate nights.
- 5 to 6 pieceThe 4-piece plus keys, a second singer or a sax, so the soul, Motown and disco songs sound like the records.Suits: Larger rooms and a fuller sound.
- 7-piece and upA full band with a horn section - usually sax, trumpet and trombone - and backing vocals for soul, Motown and funk.Suits: Corporate galas, big ballrooms and large weddings.
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 function bands of every size can apply.
Function 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.
- WeddingsEvening sets after the first dance, a playlist in the breaks.Agree: The first dance song and the finish - see wedding bands.
- Corporate eventsA short set after dinner, then a dance set, sometimes an awards walk-on.Agree: Dress code, timings and volume - see awards night bands.
- Christmas partiesTwo dance sets with the Christmas classics.Agree: The date early - see Christmas party bands.
- Birthdays and anniversariesSongs from the guest of honour’s decade, then the dancefloor anchors.Agree: A request list a few weeks ahead.
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
Weddings · Corporate · Parties · Anniversaries. 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
Weddings and December book out first - 6 to 12 months ahead for a peak Saturday or the Christmas party season, 2 to 3 months for most corporate dates. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: 2 x 60 minute or 3 x 45 minute sets with a playlist in the breaks. Confirm the PA and lights, the power, the load-in time, the stage space and the finish time the venue allows.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Booking from a demo alone. Ask for live video. 2. No plan for the room. Tell the band the guest numbers and the room size so the line-up fits. 3. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times, breaks and playlist. 4. Venue limits. Sound limiters and early finishes change the night - check first. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking comes with one you both sign.
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.
Pop-rock anchors (universal)
- Don't Stop Me NowQueen
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- Sex on FireKings of Leon
- Use SomebodyKings of Leon
- I Bet You Look Good on the DancefloorArctic Monkeys
- Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand
- WonderwallOasis
- Don't Look Back in AngerOasis
Soul / Motown / disco
- ValerieAmy Winehouse
- SuperstitionStevie Wonder
- I WishStevie Wonder
- SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
- Higher and HigherJackie Wilson
- Signed Sealed DeliveredStevie Wonder
- Reach Out I'll Be ThereFour Tops
Modern dancefloor (2010s–2020s)
- Uptown FunkBruno Mars
- TreasureBruno Mars
- HappyPharrell Williams
- Can't Stop the FeelingJustin Timberlake
- LevitatingDua Lipa
- Watermelon SugarHarry Styles
Sing-along closers
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond
- Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- Bohemian RhapsodyQueen
- I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston
- Hey JudeThe Beatles
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 Function 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.
Mid-tier private events
- Country house hotels (Cotswolds, Surrey, Berkshire)wedding circuit
- Hotel ballrooms (Hilton, Park Plaza, Marriott)corporate Christmas, milestone parties
- Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned)premium intimate format
Premium corporate
- ICC Birminghamlarge-format awards
- Manchester CentralNorth West corporate flagship
- EICC EdinburghScottish corporate
- Grosvenor HouseLondon awards flagship
Wedding venues
- Cliveden House (Berkshire), Hedsor House (Buckinghamshire), Eastnor Castle (Herefordshire)premium
Themed event spaces
- The Roundhouselarge-format private
- Tobacco DockLondon warehouse weddings
- Old Royal Naval Collegeheritage charity galas
Local market entry points
- Gastropubs and country pubsentry-level function band bookings
- Sport venues (Old Trafford, Etihad, Lord's)corporate hospitality
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 wedding? See live music for a wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a function 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.