Hire Solo Acts
The most cost-effective live-music format in the UK — solo guitarists, pianists, vocalists, saxophonists. Works in 30-cap rooms or as drinks-reception ambience for 300-cap weddings.
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Quick Overview
Solo acts are the most cost-effective UK live-music format — single performer, low logistics, broad applicability. The category splits into: (1) Vocalist + instrument (guitar-vocal, piano-vocal, ukulele-vocal) — wedding ceremony, drinks reception, restaurant background. (2) Solo instrumentalist (classical guitar, piano, saxophonist, harp) — restaurant ambience, hotel lobby, drinks reception. (3) Solo specialty (looper artist building backing tracks live, beatboxer, solo bagpiper) — themed events, atmosphere shifts. The biggest service-quality differentiator: discreet professionalism. Solo bookings are usually background music, not feature entertainment. For booker-side rates, see the bands for hire in London, Edinburgh and Manchester guides.
Booking Playbook
Restaurants · Drinks receptions · Pubs · Hotel lobbies · Background dining. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one.
When to Book
Solo act bookings are the most flexible — many established UK solo musicians can take 1–2 week bookings on weeknights. Wedding drinks-reception solos: 4–8 weeks for peak Saturdays. Restaurant residencies: 2–6 weeks (regular slots fill seasonally). Hotel lobby pianists: 4–10 weeks (longer for premium hotels). Last-minute (under 1 week) is realistic for many solo guitarists and pianists, especially weeknight or restaurant bookings.
What Format Works
The standard solo format is 2–3 × 45-minute sets with brief breaks between, providing continuous-feel background music. Wedding ceremony format: solo guitarist or pianist plays processional + recessional + drinks reception (90 minutes total). Restaurant format: 2 × 75-minute sets across dinner service (7–10pm typical), low-volume background. Hotel lobby format: pianist plays continuous 1-hour blocks with breaks, typically 6–9pm or all-day weekend tea. Solo specialty acts (looper artists, beatboxers) typically work in 30–45 minute focused sets where the audience is paying attention.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Wrong amplification for the room. A solo guitar with no amplification in a 100-cap room won't be heard; the same with full amplification in a 30-cap private dining room is overwhelming. Confirm volume expectations and PA needs upfront. 2. Underpaying. £100 solo bookings signal inexperienced players — real established UK solo musicians start at £150 for restaurant background and £250+ for events. 3. Forgetting the must-play moments. Solo wedding/drinks bookings often have specific song requests (entrance song, signing-of-register song). Submit these 2–3 weeks ahead. 4. No backup for outdoor solos. Outdoor ceremonies with weather risk need indoor backup or a proper PA + tarp setup. 5. Skipping the contract. Solo bookings often lack formal contracts because of the lower fee — but cancellations still happen. Get terms in writing. 6. Wrong format for the audience. A solo guitar-vocal at a 250-cap birthday party can't carry the room — that's a function band job.
What Does It Cost?
Realistic 2026 fees in the UK. Premium tier reflects flagship venues, larger ensembles, and peak-date demand.
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples.
- At Last — Etta James
- Make You Feel My Love — Adele
- Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran
- Can't Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley
- Better Together — Jack Johnson
- Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles
- Marry You — Bruno Mars
- Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra
- The Way You Look Tonight — Frank Sinatra
- Comptine d'un autre été — Yann Tiersen
- River Flows in You — Yiruma
- Clair de Lune — Debussy
- Nuvole Bianche — Ludovico Einaudi
- Cavatina — John Williams (Deer Hunter theme)
- Tears in Heaven — Eric Clapton
- Spanish Romance — traditional
- Asturias — Albéniz
- Classical Gas — Mason Williams
- Halo — Beyoncé
- All of Me — John Legend
- Someone Like You — Adele
- A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay (acoustic)
- Careless Whisper — George Michael
- Baker Street — Gerry Rafferty
- The Pink Panther — Henry Mancini
- Take Five — Dave Brubeck
- Just the Two of Us — Grover Washington Jr.
- Highland Cathedral
- Amazing Grace
- Scotland the Brave
- A Man's a Man for A' That
Where Solo Acts Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works.
- The Wolseley, The Ivy, Sketch — premium London dining solo pianists
- Hawksmoor private rooms, Bob Bob Ricard — sit-down dinner solo
- Hotel restaurants in mid-tier chains (Marriott, Hilton, Crowne Plaza)
- The Savoy, Claridge's, The Ritz — premium afternoon tea pianists
- The Lowry Manchester, The Principal Edinburgh — regional flagship
- The Grand Brighton, Hotel du Vin chain — boutique lobby pianists
- Country house hotels — guitar-vocal duos for ceremony + drinks
- Cripps Barn, Stone Barn (Cotswolds) — barn ceremony solo
- Garden marquees — outdoor ceremony solo (battery PA)
- Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned, Annabel's) — solo background
- Corporate boardroom dinners — solo pianist or guitarist
- Charity galas drinks reception — solo string instrument
- Acoustic-night pubs — solo guitar-vocal weekly programmes
- Wine bars and gastropubs — solo background slots
- Tea rooms and country pubs — afternoon solo bookings
- Bagpipers for Burns Night, Scottish weddings, civic events
- Looper artists for younger weddings, brand events
- Solo violin for cinema/themed events
Booking Options Compared
Solo acts are the highest-value-per-pound entertainment format. Direct booking saves the agency commission on what is already an affordable booking — £30+ saved per gig adds up across regular restaurant residencies.
Platform Comparison
What matters when you're the one doing the hiring.
| Feature | GigXchange | Encore | GigPig | Alive Network | Lemonrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission (you pay) | 0–5% (transparent) | Included in quote (~20%) | Free for artists | Included in quote (~20%, varies) | Free |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before booking | Mediated through platform | After they accept | Mediated through agency | Yes — direct contact |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profile | Sample clips | Videos | Promo videos | External links only |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviews | Client reviews only | Two-way | Client reviews only | No reviews |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gig | Via agency | Via platform | Via agency | Cash / bank transfer |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signed | Agency contract | Basic terms | Agency contract | No |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcome | Mostly covers / function | Mixed | Covers / function only | Strong original scene |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budget | High-budget weddings | Regular pub/bar slots | Large corporate events | Discovery / networking |
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps. About five minutes from signup to first booking.
1. Post your gig
Fill in five details: date, venue, genre, budget, set length. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
2. Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
3. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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