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Email:
info@salutband.com
Phone:
+ 447595715012
×
HOME
THE BAND
GALLERY
BOOK US
FUNCTION
WEDDINGS
LIVE GIGS
CORPORATE EVENTS
PRIVATE PARTIES
BLOGS
Email:
info@salutband.com
Phone:
+ 447595715012
We have been playing weddings, corporate events and private parties since 2013, and the question we hear most often has nothing to do with songs. It is usually some version of "where do we actually start?"
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That is fair. Booking live music for your event involves more moving parts than most people expect: the right line-up, a realistic budget, a venue that can handle a band, insurance paperwork, and a running order that works around speeches and dinner. Get those right and the music takes care of itself.
So we have put everything we wish every client knew before they enquire into one guide. Whether you are planning a wedding, a company party or a big birthday, this is how we would approach it.
A playlist fills silence. A band changes the room. When guests can see the musicians, hear a brass section kick in and watch a singer pull people onto the floor, the night stops feeling like a reception and starts feeling like a party. There is real reasoning behind that, and we unpack it in the science behind why live music feels more exciting.
The other big advantage is control. A good live band reads the room in real time, so if the dancefloor is filling up we push the energy, and if dinner is running late we adjust. A pre-planned set cannot do that.
Before you look at a single video, get clear on what kind of event you are hosting, because each one asks something different of the music.
- Weddings need music for several moments in one day: ceremony, drinks, dinner, first dance and the evening party. A live wedding band that can switch between acoustic sets and a full show is worth its weight in gold here.
- Corporate events need polish as much as energy. Timings are often tight, there may be awards or speeches, and the band reflects on your brand. Our corporate events page explains how we work with companies on exactly this.
- Private parties and birthdays are where you can let loose. A private party band brings the kind of atmosphere that turns a gathering into the night everyone talks about, and we have written a full guide on choosing a live band for a birthday party in London.
If you are still weighing up whether your occasion suits live music at all, have a look at the best events where a live band can elevate the celebration.
Band size shapes the sound, the space you need and the budget, so it is worth understanding your options early. These are the line-ups we offer at Salut:
- 8 to 9 piece party band: our signature setup, with multiple vocalists and a brass section for the biggest, fullest sound.
- 5 to 7 piece party band: the same energy in a smaller footprint, ideal when space or budget is tighter.
- 10+ piece show band: for those once in a lifetime events where you want the full spectacle.
- Custom show: if you have a big idea, we can spend a week in the studio as a team building an entirely new set around it.
- Cocktail band and jazz trio: relaxed, elegant music for drinks receptions and dinners.
- Roaming band: acoustic musicians who move among your guests and get people singing before the main party starts.
- DJ and DJ Live: a DJ to carry the night on, or our musicians performing alongside the DJ when space is limited or you want an after party with a twist.
If the terminology is new to you, our guide to understanding different band types breaks it down. For the earlier part of the day, we compare the softer options in jazz trio, cocktail band or roaming band for cocktail hour. And if you cannot decide between a band and a DJ, the answer is often both, which is why so many clients go for live band and DJ combo packages.
As early as you can. Popular dates go quickly, and Saturdays in peak wedding season and the run-up to Christmas party season are always the first to fill. Once you have a date and a venue confirmed, the band should be one of your next calls.
That said, it is always worth asking about short notice dates, as availability does open up. Our article on how far in advance to book a live wedding band goes into more detail, and the same thinking applies to most events.
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There is no single price for live music, because the cost depends on a handful of factors:
- the number of musicians
- where the event is, and how far the band travel
- how long you need the band to play
- add-ons such as a DJ, extra musicians or additional sets
The best approach is to decide which of these matter most to you and build from there. A smaller line-up playing longer can sometimes work better than a bigger band playing a short set. For a closer look at the numbers, read our real pricing guide to London function band costs in 2026, or, if you are planning for a business, our guide on how much to budget for a live band at a corporate event.
This is the step people skip, and it is the one that causes the most problems on the night. Ask your venue these questions before you confirm entertainment.
Many venues, particularly wedding venues, have a sound limiter fitted. It measures volume in decibels and, if the music stays above the set threshold for a few seconds, it cuts the power to the band's equipment. Having one does not rule out a live band, but you need to know the decibel level it is set to, and so does your band. Tell us at the enquiry stage and we can plan the line-up and setup around it.
An 8 or 9 piece band needs more room than a trio. Ask for the dimensions of the performance area and check where it sits in relation to the dancefloor and tables. Whether you need a raised platform depends on the room, which we cover in do you need a stage for a live band.
Check that there are suitable power sockets near the performance area, how easy load-in is from the car park, and what time music has to finish. These details are easy to sort in advance and stressful to sort on the day. If you have an event planner, they will often handle this with us directly; here is how bands work with event planners behind the scenes.
Most venues will ask for two documents from any band they let through the door.
Public liability insurance (PLI) covers injury to other people or damage to their property, such as a guest tripping over a cable. Many venues set a minimum level of cover, so ask what yours requires. For reference, membership of the Musicians' Union includes £10 million of public liability cover.
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is an inspection of electrical equipment to check it is safe to use. According to the Health and Safety Executive, equipment must be maintained so it does not cause danger, and many venues ask for a PAT certificate as proof.
At Salut, we bring our own professional PA and lighting, we are fully insured, and our equipment is PAT tested, so we can send the paperwork straight to your venue.
The best nights have a shape. Think about when guests arrive, when food is served, when speeches happen and when you want the dancefloor at its fullest. A few things to agree with your band:
- Set lengths and breaks. Most bands play in sets with short breaks in between, so it helps to know how the evening will flow. See how long a London function band performs.
- Speeches and key moments. Music should frame the speeches, not compete with them. Our guide on balancing live music and speeches shows how we time it.
- Song requests. We are happy to learn a first dance or special request, and you can help shape the setlist from our list of party classics and modern hits.
- Keeping the energy up. Pacing a setlist is a skill in itself, and we share our approach in how to keep the dancefloor full all night.
You can book a band through an entertainment agency or directly with the band. Both routes work, but they differ on price, communication and who you deal with if plans change. We lay out the pros and cons honestly in function band agency vs booking a band direct.
Before you pay a deposit, make sure you can tick off the following:
- Have you seen or heard the band performing live, not just a studio recording?
- Is the line-up you are booking the same one in the videos?
- What is included in the price, and what counts as an extra?
- Do they bring their own PA and lighting?
- Can they provide PLI and PAT certificates for the venue?
- Will they learn a special song, and how much notice do they need?
- What happens if a musician is ill on the day?
- What are the deposit, payment and cancellation terms?
For more red flags and reassurances, read what to look out for so your live wedding band won't let you down and our checklist before you book a function band.
We keep it simple:
- Tell us the basics. Send us your date, venue and type of event through our contact page.
- We check availability. Then we talk through what you want from the music and any venue requirements.
- You get a tailored quote. Built around the line-up and timings that suit your event.
- A deposit secures your date. Once you are happy, the date is yours and we start planning the details together.
While you are deciding, you can meet the band, browse our gallery or catch us at one of our live gigs. We are based in London but regularly perform across the UK and internationally, with shows at venues including Claridge's and The Savoy and further afield in Ibiza, Barcelona, Abu Dhabi and Marrakesh. If your event is in the capital, our guide to booking a function band in London covers the city-specific details.