Original music — authentic atmosphere over hits
Hire Originals Bands
Originals bands for music venues, festivals, launches and listening rooms - hear their songs, agree the set and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Originals Bands
An originals band plays its own songs, not covers - indie, rock, alternative, punk and more. They suit music venues, festivals, launches and brand events that want something new. GigXchange welcomes original-music acts as members on the same terms as everyone else. For a covers night see covers bands.
Booking Playbook
Bar openings · Brand events · Festivals · Listening rooms · Music-discovery pubs. 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 BookWeekends and festival season go first - 1 to 3 months ahead for a venue night, longer for festivals. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: one set of 30 to 60 minutes, or a support and headline line-up for a night. Agree the backline, the sound engineer, the soundcheck time and who promotes the show. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. No promotion plan. Agree who promotes the night. 2. No soundcheck time. Build it into the day. 3. Backline confusion. Agree what the venue provides. 4. Ticketed shows. Check the licence and the door split. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of originals band is, and the stage 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.
| Solo or duoA singer-songwriter with guitar or piano, or a two-piece playing their own songs. Suits: Listening rooms, support slots and acoustic nights. |
| 3-pieceGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing. Suits: Most venue stages - the classic indie and rock line-up. |
| 4 to 5 pieceThe 3-piece plus a second guitar, keys or a front singer, for layered, bigger-sounding songs. Suits: Headline sets, launches and festivals. |
| Full line-up nightTwo or three original bands on one bill, often a headliner with local supports. Suits: Venues building a regular new-music night. |
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 original bands of every size can apply.
Originals 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.
| Music venue nightsSupport and headline sets. Agree: The bill and the promotion. |
| FestivalsA 30 to 45 minute festival slot. Agree: Changeover times - see festival season bands. |
| Launches and brand eventsA short set of the band’s own songs. Agree: Timings and the PA. |
| Pubs with a music nightA regular originals night. Agree: A run of dates - see live music for pubs. |
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.
UK originals headline anchors (genre-spanning)
| Mr Brightside — The Killers (yes, even originals bands play this) |
| Don't Look Back in Anger — Oasis |
| Common People — Pulp |
| I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys |
| Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand |
| Chelsea Dagger — The Fratellis |
Indie / alternative originals scene
| The 1975 — Robbers, Chocolate |
| Wolf Alice — Don't Delete the Kisses |
| Idles — Mother |
| The Last Shadow Puppets — Standing Next to Me |
Folk / Americana originals
| Mumford & Sons — The Cave |
| Lumineers — Ho Hey |
| First Aid Kit — Emmylou |
| Frank Turner — I Still Believe |
Electronic / experimental crossover
| Caribou — Can't Do Without You |
| Hot Chip — Over and Over |
| Jamie xx — Gosh |
| Mura Masa — What If I Go? |
Rock / heavier UK originals
| Royal Blood — Figure It Out |
| Nothing But Thieves — Trip Switch |
| Sleep Token — The Summoning |
| Ghostpoet — Be Right Back, Moving House |
Pop / synthpop crossover
| Foals — My Number |
| Two Door Cinema Club — What You Know |
| Bombay Bicycle Club — Always Like This |
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 Originals 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.
Originals-friendly UK venue circuit
| The Brudenell Social Club (Leeds), The 100 Club (London), King Tut's (Glasgow) — UK heritage indie |
| Hope & Ruin (Brighton), The Hare & Hounds (Birmingham), The Cluny (Newcastle) — regional originals circuit |
| The Lexington, Sebright Arms, Boston Music Room (London) — small-format originals venues |
Festival originals circuit
| See Festival Season Bands guide for festival-specific booking |
| Town festivals — folk/Americana programming |
| Dot to Dot, Live at Leeds, The Great Escape — UK new-music festival circuit |
Bar openings / brand events
| Soho House regional venues — original-music brand events |
| Boutique hotels — bar-opening originals bookings |
| Brewery launches and craft-beer events |
| Fashion week and design-show events |
Music-discovery pubs and listening rooms
| Listening-room pubs (The Brudenell, The Hare & Hounds — see above) |
| Coffee-shop venues (Tooting Tram & Social, Café Oto) |
| Acoustic-night programmes at country pubs |
Weddings (originals-specific)
| Cotswold and Cornwall weddings with music-loving couples |
| Independent venue weddings (warehouse, gallery) |
| Couples in the music industry — originals are differentiator |
Corporate originals (rare but growing)
| Tech-company creative events (Spotify, Bandcamp, music-tech) |
| Creative agency / brand parties |
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.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
Find and hire originals bands direct. Browse, compare and hire originals bands direct.
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Costs & RatesLive
What originals bands cost in 2026. Realistic 2026 fees before you book.
Entry, mid and premium tier pricing
Live medians on the GigXchange Index
What drives peak-date premiums
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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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All Booking GuidesFree
Performer, seasonal and city guides — all free. Every GigXchange booking guide in one place.
Performer-hire guides like this one
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Artist-side guides — see both sides
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Find acts and venues near your event. Every UK scene, city by city.
City-by-city booking guides
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More booking guides and resources: what acts are paid across the UK, how to book by city or performer type, and the seasonal guides for the dates that sell out first.
| Every Performer TypeEvery kind of act, what each suits and how many are on GigXchange. | |
| All Booking GuidesBrowse Find a Band, How to Get Gigs, and Seasonal Booking Guides. | |
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Ready to Book an originals 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 Originals Bands
Originals bands for music venues, festivals, launches and listening rooms - hear their songs, agree the set and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Originals Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book originals bands direct in the UK. 158 original bands are on the platform, booked for bar openings, brand events, festivals, listening rooms and music-discovery pubs. 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.
An originals band plays its own songs, not covers - indie, rock, alternative, punk and more. They suit music venues, festivals, launches and brand events that want something new. GigXchange welcomes original-music acts as members on the same terms as everyone else. For a covers night see covers 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 Original Bands
All 158 original 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 originals band is, and the stage 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.
- Solo or duoA singer-songwriter with guitar or piano, or a two-piece playing their own songs.Suits: Listening rooms, support slots and acoustic nights.
- 3-pieceGuitar, bass and drums, with one of them singing.Suits: Most venue stages - the classic indie and rock line-up.
- 4 to 5 pieceThe 3-piece plus a second guitar, keys or a front singer, for layered, bigger-sounding songs.Suits: Headline sets, launches and festivals.
- Full line-up nightTwo or three original bands on one bill, often a headliner with local supports.Suits: Venues building a regular new-music night.
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 original bands of every size can apply.
Originals 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.
- Music venue nightsSupport and headline sets.Agree: The bill and the promotion.
- FestivalsA 30 to 45 minute festival slot.Agree: Changeover times - see festival season bands.
- Launches and brand eventsA short set of the band’s own songs.Agree: Timings and the PA.
- Pubs with a music nightA regular originals night.Agree: A run of dates - see live music for pubs.
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
Bar openings · Brand events · Festivals · Listening rooms · Music-discovery pubs. 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
Weekends and festival season go first - 1 to 3 months ahead for a venue night, longer for festivals. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: one set of 30 to 60 minutes, or a support and headline line-up for a night. Agree the backline, the sound engineer, the soundcheck time and who promotes the show.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. No promotion plan. Agree who promotes the night. 2. No soundcheck time. Build it into the day. 3. Backline confusion. Agree what the venue provides. 4. Ticketed shows. Check the licence and the door split. 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.
UK originals headline anchors (genre-spanning)
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers (yes, even originals bands play this)
- Don't Look Back in AngerOasis
- Common PeoplePulp
- I Bet You Look Good on the DancefloorArctic Monkeys
- Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand
- Chelsea DaggerThe Fratellis
Indie / alternative originals scene
- The 1975Robbers, Chocolate
- Wolf AliceDon't Delete the Kisses
- IdlesMother
- The Last Shadow PuppetsStanding Next to Me
Folk / Americana originals
- Mumford & SonsThe Cave
- LumineersHo Hey
- First Aid KitEmmylou
- Frank TurnerI Still Believe
Electronic / experimental crossover
- CaribouCan't Do Without You
- Hot ChipOver and Over
- Jamie xxGosh
- Mura MasaWhat If I Go?
Rock / heavier UK originals
- Royal BloodFigure It Out
- Nothing But ThievesTrip Switch
- Sleep TokenThe Summoning
- GhostpoetBe Right Back, Moving House
Pop / synthpop crossover
- FoalsMy Number
- Two Door Cinema ClubWhat You Know
- Bombay Bicycle ClubAlways Like This
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 Originals 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.
Originals-friendly UK venue circuit
- The Brudenell Social Club (Leeds), The 100 Club (London), King Tut's (Glasgow)UK heritage indie
- Hope & Ruin (Brighton), The Hare & Hounds (Birmingham), The Cluny (Newcastle)regional originals circuit
- The Lexington, Sebright Arms, Boston Music Room (London)small-format originals venues
Festival originals circuit
- See Festival Season Bands guide for festival-specific booking
- Town festivalsfolk/Americana programming
- Dot to Dot, Live at Leeds, The Great EscapeUK new-music festival circuit
Bar openings / brand events
- Soho House regional venuesoriginal-music brand events
- Boutique hotelsbar-opening originals bookings
- Brewery launches and craft-beer events
- Fashion week and design-show events
Music-discovery pubs and listening rooms
- Listening-room pubs (The Brudenell, The Hare & Houndssee above)
- Coffee-shop venues (Tooting Tram & Social, Café Oto)
- Acoustic-night programmes at country pubs
Weddings (originals-specific)
- Cotswold and Cornwall weddings with music-loving couples
- Independent venue weddings (warehouse, gallery)
- Couples in the music industryoriginals are differentiator
Corporate originals (rare but growing)
- Tech-company creative events (Spotify, Bandcamp, music-tech)
- Creative agency / brand parties
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book an originals 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.