Last updated: April 2026
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on social media focusing on how people should treat the bands or solo musicians that they employ. Specifically, a lot of clients are asking if they should provide food for the act that they have hired. While the simple answer for that is usually yes, in this blog we’ll go through a few factors to consider in your decision, and maybe share a few funny stories along the way!
Whether you’re planning a wedding, a corporate event, or a private party, feeding the band is part of a wider conversation around vendor meals and looking after the people who keep your event running. Below, we’ll cover when to feed your musicians, what to serve, how timing works, and whether the rules change for DJs and other vendors.
When should I feed my band?
It’s important to remember that, not only are you hiring a band for the 2 x 45 minutes (or more!) that they are on stage, you’re asking them to attend your event from the moment they arrive, to the moment they leave. In reality, this can sometimes mean from 12pm until 12am!
Given that situation, it seems only fair that you provide them with something to eat and drink. In many respects, it is in your interest to make sure the band is at their peak ability to perform, as your show will be better!
Having said that, it does depend a little on the situation. Obviously, if your musician is going to be there for a very brief period of time, then providing them with a full meal might not even be practical.
If there isn’t a specific agreement in place, then perhaps think of it like this; If your musician isn’t going to be at your event for very long, then providing them with tea, coffee or soft drinks is probably fine.
If your musician will be there longer, or at a traditional mealtime, then access to a light meal of buffet food is probably required, at least.
If your musician is at your event for a long period of time, you really should be providing them with a reasonable hot meal. It is important that any performer at any venue has access to water at all times. That may sound obvious, but some venues (perhaps in impromptu locations) may not factor in the performers in some calculations.
Doing a gig at the Floripa in Hoxton as part of a triple bill, finished our sound check and the manager said help yourselves to the food laid out for you on the table, didn’t realise she meant the food was supposed to be for all three bands, by the time the others had finished their sound check it was all gone…
Chris Crooks, Musician
Should I feed the band at my wedding?
Yes, in almost every case. A wedding band is typically on site for 5-8 hours when you factor in load-in, set-up, sound check, two live sets and pack-down, so a hot meal is more or less the industry standard in the UK. If you’re planning to hire a wedding band for your big day, factor vendor meals into your catering headcount from the start, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Most caterers can offer a reduced-cost “vendor meal” option, which is usually a simpler plated meal served in a back room or a spare table. For context on wider budgeting, our guide to UK wedding band costs covers the typical price of booking an act so you can plan alongside catering. Fees can vary by region, band size and season, so always confirm current pricing directly with the act.
When should the band eat? Timing the meal around the performance
Timing matters almost as much as the meal itself. Ideally, the band should eat before they go on stage, not during or after their set. A musician who has just played 45 minutes of high-energy covers needs fuel, and a hungry band is a tired band by the second set.
In practice, the best window is usually when the main guest meal is being served. This way, the venue staff are already set up for food service, the band isn’t on stage (they wouldn’t be playing during the meal anyway), and everyone eats together. If you’ve booked a party band for your event that’s playing later in the evening, aim to feed them around 30-60 minutes before they’re due to start.
One thing to avoid: serving the band a full hot meal five minutes before they’re due on stage. No performer enjoys playing on a completely full stomach, and it’s unfair to expect it.
Is it usually in the contract to provide the band with food?
This will vary from deal to deal but, generally speaking, it’s commonplace for a hot meal and soft drinks to be guaranteed in any agreement, especially if it is through a third party like a live music agency.
It’s important to thoroughly read through any and every contract you are given, to view the terms and conditions. If you’re a musician or band leader drafting your own agreements, our guide on how to negotiate contracts with your clients walks through the clauses worth including, including catering and refreshments.
Some FB groups that provide some comic insight into the world of tour catering:
My band ‘More Madness’ were supporting ‘The Beat’ a few years ago.
We had our back stage room which was called ‘the pod’ (which had a bar but all the alcohol was removed)
One of the organisers had promised us food whilst we was there.
Being by the Great British sea side, the thought of fish n’ chips crept in but … NOPE .
One of the runners came in with half a dozen bags of Haribo and a box of Mr Kippling’s cakes!!!
Another time was supporting Geno Washington at a festival – we got toast! We know how to live the high life
Stu Miles, Musician
What should I give them?
To be clear (unless you are hiring someone especially famous!) no band will have champagne and caviar on their rider.
Here are some simple options for taking care of your band:
Start them a tab
If your event is at a venue with a restaurant or bistro (such as a corporate event at a large hotel) it is easy enough to let them order a meal each at the bar and forward the tab to the company, or whoever is paying the bill. Some venues may even include this in their events package. If you’re concerned about someone running up a huge bill (virtually unheard of if you have hired professional musicians) simply cap it at a certain amount.
Add their names to the catering
If you’re organising a wedding or other private event, speaking to your caterers and add the band to the list.
Letting them know they can use the buffet
If you’re having buffet catering at your event, then letting your band know that they are free to get involved with it is usually more than enough. This works especially well with a covers band or larger line-up, because the musicians can grab food whenever they have a break between sets.
Give them some petty cash
If you’re in a venue that has access to shops or restaurants nearby, then giving your band a contribution to get something to eat will be perfectly fine. Feel free to ask for receipts, the band will be more than happy to comply.
Leaving them food in the green room or backstage
If for any reason you can’t organise food at the venue, picking up some food in advance and leaving it in a location the band will have access to it.
On the other end of the scale, at another dinner dance at a hotel in Leeds, the organiser put an unlimited tab behind the lounge bar who served meals, where we could eat away from the punters stuffing their faces in the ballroom. Rule number one, never give a band an unlimited tab!
Martin Olley, Musician
If you are going to provide food yourself for the group, it’s important to ask if your group has any dietary requirements.
There was once a gig where there wasn’t a veggie option and I was given plain white rice, and a bun.
Tom Kinton, Musician
Do I need to feed the DJ too? What about other vendors?
The same principle applies to most vendors who are on site for the duration of your event. If you’re also hiring a DJ, photographer, videographer or lighting tech, and they’ll be working through your main meal service, it’s good practice to feed them too. Most caterers offer a discounted vendor-meal rate precisely for this reason.
A common arrangement is to seat vendors at a spare table, or in a back room near the kitchen, so they can eat quickly and get back to their post. The key thing is that they get fed at roughly the same time as the guests, so they’re ready to go when the music or photography picks back up.
Got any funny stories about food you’ve been provided on the road? Perhaps you’re a venue owner and would like to share how you take care of bands on the road? Leave your comments below…
