Last updated: April 2026
The sun is shining, for the time being at least. Every summer Last Minute Musicians receive hundreds of enquiries for bands, musicians and ensembles who can perform outside.
Either for weddings, parties or another type of celebration, versatile musicians who are able to offer a line up suitable for an outdoors event are more likely to be hired for gigs.
Below we have assembled 5 different styles of bands and musicians who can perform outside without any amplification – ideal for occasions basking in the sunshine.
Acoustic guitarists
Versatile and affordable, whether it’s a solo musician, duo or ensemble performing an acoustic guitar outdoors, as a form of entertainment you can’t go far wrong with acoustic guitarists.
Performing entirely acoustic or with a small battery powered amplifier, acoustic guitarists can either be hired as the main form of entertainment or as background music.
Requiring only a few technical requirements acoustic guitarists often take less than 30 minutes to set up, in comparison to a live band who can take over an hour.
Whilst acoustic guitarists, either solo or ensembles, do not have the same presence as a band they are great for those hiring entertainment on a budget.
Steel pan bands
Entirely acoustic, steel pan bands are commonly associated with the caribbean and 70s pop music. Performing a mixture of different genres including calypso, latin and reggae they play a range of hits from the past 5 decades.
Ideal for ‘green’ eco friendly weddings, a steel pan band is a unique form of entertainment amongst function bands and classical music ensembles. A guaranteed hit for almost every event.
Dixieland bands
Traditionally, Dixieland refers to any jazz style played before the 1940s. Providing a captivating beat for the audience to either dance to or just tap their feet, Dixieland bands can perform entirely without amplification and usually come in trios or quartets.
Dixieland jazz musicians often play wearing striped suits with boater hats or something similar. By performing traditional jazz hits such as ‘When the Saints go Marching In’ and ‘Dream a Little Dream’ Dixieland musicians bring the heart and soul of New Orleans’ jazz to any event.
Medieval musicians
Take a time machine and travel back 500 years – there certainly weren’t any amplifiers then!
Medieval musicians for hire in the 21st century play a variety of different instruments including the lute, hurdy gurdy, harp and pan pipes. Performing traditional folk songs from the British isles, guests will feel as though they are witnessing a piece of history – especially as the musicians regularly dress in traditional clothing from the period.
Traditional Indian
Whether it’s a tabla and a sitar or an ensemble of dhol drummers, traditional indian musicians are ideal entertainment for outdoors events.
Popular for Indian weddings and other similar celebrations traditional indian instruments work especially well at small occasions where the sound of guests talking does not overpower the music.
Musicians will also dress in customary Indian clothing to ensure an authentic atmosphere and some bands also work with dancers turning background music into a show guaranteed to captivate guests.
Roaming and walkabout bands
Roaming (or walkabout) bands have become one of the most popular choices for outdoor weddings and garden parties. These are small groups – usually three to six musicians – playing fully portable instruments like acoustic guitar, snare drum, double bass, saxophone and harmonica, all rigged up to battery-powered amps worn on their belts.
Because the band can move freely around your venue, they can greet guests on arrival, weave through a drinks reception on the lawn, or lead a procession from the ceremony to the wedding breakfast. No power, no cables and no fixed stage required. Expect a mix of upbeat pop, folk and indie hits designed to work in small bursts as the band circulates.
String quartets
For a more elegant outdoor atmosphere, an string quartet is hard to beat. Two violins, a viola and a cello can perform entirely unamplified for an intimate ceremony or drinks reception, and classical strings carry surprisingly well in open-air settings as long as the audience is gathered reasonably close.
String quartets are especially popular for outdoor wedding ceremonies, where couples often want a mix of classical pieces for the processional and modern pop arrangements during the signing of the register. They set up in minutes, need nothing more than four chairs, and work equally well in a marquee, under a pergola or on a garden lawn.
How much does an outdoor band cost?
Budget for outdoor music varies enormously depending on the type of act, the number of musicians, how long you need them for and how far they have to travel. As a rough guide, a solo acoustic guitarist or harpist for a wedding ceremony in the UK typically starts from around £250-£400, a roaming three to four-piece band from around £700-£1,200, and a full function band covering a longer reception from £1,500 upwards.
Fees are indicative only and vary by line-up size, travel, peak-season dates and the length of performance. Always get a written quote directly from the act or agency before booking.
Planning tips for outdoor music: power, weather and setup
Hiring musicians who can perform without amplification solves the single biggest headache of outdoor events: power. If your venue has no mains supply (common for garden weddings, farm venues and festival-style parties), acoustic acts or battery-powered roaming bands are the safest bet. For louder acts like full function bands, you will usually need either a mains feed in a marquee or a petrol/silent generator – speak to the band before booking so they can confirm their power requirements in writing.
Weather is the other big variable. Most professional musicians will not perform in direct sunlight or rain because of the damage it does to wooden instruments, speakers and electronics. Always have a shaded, covered performance area (a gazebo, marquee corner, bandstand or veranda will do) and a clear wet-weather backup plan. Give the band an obvious flat surface to set up on, allow around 30-60 minutes for setup and soundcheck depending on the line-up, and make sure their arrival time is written into your running order so they are not trying to load in while guests are already mingling.
Have been to a great outdoor event? Let us know in the comments below…
