The UK's most cost-effective live format
Hire Solo Acts
Solo singers and musicians for drinks receptions, restaurants, hotel bars and pubs - hear them, agree the sets and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Solo Acts
A solo act is one performer - an acoustic singer-guitarist, a pianist-singer, a vocalist with backing tracks or an instrumentalist - for the moments a band is too big: the drinks reception, dinner, a restaurant or hotel bar, a pub evening. For two or three players see jazz bands and covers bands.
Booking Playbook
Restaurants · Drinks receptions · Pubs · Hotel lobbies · Background dining. 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 BookSummer Saturdays and December go first - 3 to 6 months ahead for a wedding date, a few weeks for a weeknight. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: 2 or 3 sets of 40 to 60 minutes at background volume, louder for a pub. Agree whether the act brings a small PA, the space and power, and any requests. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Too quiet for the room. A big room needs a PA. 2. No request list. Send key songs early. 3. Background or show? Say which you want. 4. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
Pick Your Performer
What each kind of solo act 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.
| Acoustic singer-guitaristVoice and acoustic guitar, playing covers or their own songs - the most booked solo act. Suits: Receptions, pubs, restaurants and parties. |
| Pianist or pianist-singerPiano or keys with or without vocals, from background standards to sing-along sets - needs a piano or room for a keyboard. Suits: Hotels, restaurants and dinners. |
| Vocalist with tracksA singer over produced backing tracks, for a full-band sound from one performer. Suits: Parties and functions that want a fuller sound on a smaller budget. |
| InstrumentalistA sax player, violinist, harpist or classical guitarist, playing solo or over backing tracks. Suits: Drinks receptions, ceremonies and dinners. |
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 solo singers and musicians of every size can apply.
Solo Acts 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.
| Wedding ceremony and drinksCeremony pieces, then 45 to 60 minutes of background songs. Agree: The walk-in and signing songs. |
| Restaurants and hotel barsA regular evening slot at background volume. Agree: A run of dates - see live music for hotels. |
| Pub eveningsTwo sets of singalong songs. Agree: Volume and finish - see live music for pubs. |
| Care homesA daytime set of familiar songs. Agree: The time and the songs - see live music for care homes. |
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.
Wedding ceremony / drinks reception (acoustic guitar / piano vocal)
| 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 |
Restaurant / hotel lobby (background)
| 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 |
Solo guitar instrumental
| Cavatina — John Williams (Deer Hunter theme) |
| Tears in Heaven — Eric Clapton |
| Spanish Romance — traditional |
| Asturias — Albéniz |
| Classical Gas — Mason Williams |
Vocal-piano modern
| Halo — Beyoncé |
| All of Me — John Legend |
| Someone Like You — Adele |
| A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay (acoustic) |
Sax-led background
| 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. |
Solo bagpiper / specialty
| Highland Cathedral |
| Amazing Grace |
| Scotland the Brave |
| A Man's a Man for A' That |
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 Solo Acts 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.
Restaurant / hospitality
| 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) |
Hotel lobbies / afternoon tea
| 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 |
Wedding ceremony / drinks reception
| Country house hotels — guitar-vocal duos for ceremony + drinks |
| Cripps Barn, Stone Barn (Cotswolds) — barn ceremony solo |
| Garden marquees — outdoor ceremony solo (battery PA) |
Private dining / corporate
| Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned, Annabel's) — solo background |
| Corporate boardroom dinners — solo pianist or guitarist |
| Charity galas drinks reception — solo string instrument |
Pubs / smaller venues
| Acoustic-night pubs — solo guitar-vocal weekly programmes |
| Wine bars and gastropubs — solo background slots |
| Tea rooms and country pubs — afternoon solo bookings |
Atmospheric / themed
| Bagpipers for Burns Night, Scottish weddings, civic events |
| Looper artists for younger weddings, brand events |
| Solo violin for cinema/themed events |
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 garden party? See live music for a garden party.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
Find and hire solo acts direct. Browse, compare and hire solo acts direct.
Filter by genre, budget, location and availability
Compare styles, set lengths and fees
Message and book direct — no middlemen
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| Browse acts | |
| Find performers | |
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Costs & RatesLive
What solo acts 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
Free to cite, updated nightly
| What it costs | |
| GX Rate Index | |
| Submit your rate | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
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
| Overview | |
| Costs & timing | |
| FAQs | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
All Booking GuidesFree
Performer, seasonal and city guides — all free. Every GigXchange booking guide in one place.
Performer-hire guides like this one
Find a band, city by city
How to book live music guides
Artist-side guides — see both sides
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Live Music by CityUK
Find acts and venues near your event. Every UK scene, city by city.
City-by-city booking guides
Local venues and open mics
Local rate benchmarks
Find performers near your event
| All UK cities | |
| Find performers | |
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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. | |
| UK Rate BenchmarkSee what UK bands actually charge by city, gig type, and band size. | |
| Browse the DirectoryFilter by genre, budget, location and availability. |
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| Hiring a wedding band in London | |
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| How much do UK gigs pay? |
Share what you charged or paid — anonymous, under a minute. 3 rates unlocks 30 days of UK fee trends.
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Ready to Book a solo act?
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 Solo Acts
Solo singers and musicians for drinks receptions, restaurants, hotel bars and pubs - hear them, agree the sets and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Solo Acts
GIGXCHANGE is where you book solo acts direct in the UK. 253 solo singers and musicians are on the platform, booked for restaurants, drinks receptions, pubs, hotel lobbies and background dining. 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 solo act is one performer - an acoustic singer-guitarist, a pianist-singer, a vocalist with backing tracks or an instrumentalist - for the moments a band is too big: the drinks reception, dinner, a restaurant or hotel bar, a pub evening. For two or three players see jazz bands and 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 Solo Singers and Musicians
All 253 solo singers and musicians 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 Performer
What each kind of solo act 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.
- Acoustic singer-guitaristVoice and acoustic guitar, playing covers or their own songs - the most booked solo act.Suits: Receptions, pubs, restaurants and parties.
- Pianist or pianist-singerPiano or keys with or without vocals, from background standards to sing-along sets - needs a piano or room for a keyboard.Suits: Hotels, restaurants and dinners.
- Vocalist with tracksA singer over produced backing tracks, for a full-band sound from one performer.Suits: Parties and functions that want a fuller sound on a smaller budget.
- InstrumentalistA sax player, violinist, harpist or classical guitarist, playing solo or over backing tracks.Suits: Drinks receptions, ceremonies and dinners.
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 solo singers and musicians of every size can apply.
Solo Acts 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.
- Wedding ceremony and drinksCeremony pieces, then 45 to 60 minutes of background songs.Agree: The walk-in and signing songs.
- Restaurants and hotel barsA regular evening slot at background volume.Agree: A run of dates - see live music for hotels.
- Pub eveningsTwo sets of singalong songs.Agree: Volume and finish - see live music for pubs.
- Care homesA daytime set of familiar songs.Agree: The time and the songs - see live music for care homes.
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
Restaurants · Drinks receptions · Pubs · Hotel lobbies · Background dining. 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
Summer Saturdays and December go first - 3 to 6 months ahead for a wedding date, a few weeks for a weeknight. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: 2 or 3 sets of 40 to 60 minutes at background volume, louder for a pub. Agree whether the act brings a small PA, the space and power, and any requests.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too quiet for the room. A big room needs a PA. 2. No request list. Send key songs early. 3. Background or show? Say which you want. 4. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times. 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.
Wedding ceremony / drinks reception (acoustic guitar / piano vocal)
- At LastEtta James
- Make You Feel My LoveAdele
- Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran
- Can't Help Falling in LoveElvis Presley
- Better TogetherJack Johnson
- Here Comes the SunThe Beatles
- Marry YouBruno Mars
Restaurant / hotel lobby (background)
- Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra
- The Way You Look TonightFrank Sinatra
- Comptine d'un autre étéYann Tiersen
- River Flows in YouYiruma
- Clair de LuneDebussy
- Nuvole BiancheLudovico Einaudi
Solo guitar instrumental
- CavatinaJohn Williams (Deer Hunter theme)
- Tears in HeavenEric Clapton
- Spanish Romancetraditional
- AsturiasAlbéniz
- Classical GasMason Williams
Vocal-piano modern
- HaloBeyoncé
- All of MeJohn Legend
- Someone Like YouAdele
- A Sky Full of StarsColdplay (acoustic)
Sax-led background
- Careless WhisperGeorge Michael
- Baker StreetGerry Rafferty
- The Pink PantherHenry Mancini
- Take FiveDave Brubeck
- Just the Two of UsGrover Washington Jr.
Solo bagpiper / specialty
- Highland Cathedral
- Amazing Grace
- Scotland the Brave
- A Man's a Man for A' That
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 Solo Acts 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.
Restaurant / hospitality
- The Wolseley, The Ivy, Sketchpremium London dining solo pianists
- Hawksmoor private rooms, Bob Bob Ricardsit-down dinner solo
- Hotel restaurants in mid-tier chains (Marriott, Hilton, Crowne Plaza)
Hotel lobbies / afternoon tea
- The Savoy, Claridge's, The Ritzpremium afternoon tea pianists
- The Lowry Manchester, The Principal Edinburghregional flagship
- The Grand Brighton, Hotel du Vin chainboutique lobby pianists
Wedding ceremony / drinks reception
- Country house hotelsguitar-vocal duos for ceremony + drinks
- Cripps Barn, Stone Barn (Cotswolds)barn ceremony solo
- Garden marqueesoutdoor ceremony solo (battery PA)
Private dining / corporate
- Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned, Annabel's)solo background
- Corporate boardroom dinnerssolo pianist or guitarist
- Charity galas drinks receptionsolo string instrument
Pubs / smaller venues
- Acoustic-night pubssolo guitar-vocal weekly programmes
- Wine bars and gastropubssolo background slots
- Tea rooms and country pubsafternoon solo bookings
Atmospheric / themed
- Bagpipers for Burns Night, Scottish weddings, civic events
- Looper artists for younger weddings, brand events
- Solo violin for cinema/themed events
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 garden party? See live music for a garden party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a solo act?
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.