{"id":1583,"date":"2020-02-25T08:50:35","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T08:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/?p=1583"},"modified":"2026-04-11T06:47:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T05:47:06","slug":"how-to-form-a-function-band","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/how-to-form-a-function-band\/","title":{"rendered":"The five steps to forming a function band"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last updated: April 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting a group of musicians together in order to jam out some songs for the fun of it is relatively straightforward. However, starting a successful function band is nowhere near as easy. It can lead to many complications and pitfalls, which can leave many talented musicians clueless. In this blog, we look at the five steps to putting together a professional band…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike a standard pub cover band (who may still charge a couple of hundred pounds for an evening\u2019s entertainment!) clients booking a function band will expect a night of utmost professionalism, both in the performance and in the way musicians behave off the stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This seems fair considering the average function band costs around \u00a31,164 to hire for an evening\u2019s entertainment, with budget acts from as little as \u00a3150 and top-tier acts reaching \u00a310,000 and above (based on live Last Minute Musicians directory data \u2013 fees vary over time and by region).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing a fledgling band needs to realise is that the underlying key to successful initial bookings is this professionalism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital that musicians understand that a high-end corporate client is under the impression they are hiring unconditional entertainment for the evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may sound a little harsh, but they probably do not care if an amplifier does not work properly, if the singer loses their voice or if the van breaks down – they are paying to get a job done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If they are paying money for a service, they (acts of god aside) will expect it delivered accordingly. These are problems that, as paid professional musicians, must be taken responsibility for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, it is important to surround yourself with professional bandmates, not just in their musicianship, but also in their attitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing as much as possible for those initial bookings will give you a fighting chance of encountering less issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a function band?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A function band (sometimes called a party band, covers band or wedding band) is a group of professional musicians hired to perform live at private events. Unlike a gigging pub band or an originals act, function bands focus on delivering polished, crowd-pleasing versions of well-known songs, tailored to the event they are playing at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will typically find function bands for hire<\/a> performing at weddings, corporate events, private parties, anniversaries, charity balls and milestone birthdays. The core job is simple: keep a mixed-age audience entertained and the dancefloor full. Because of that, most function bands build their sets around chart hits, soul, Motown, disco and modern floor-fillers, pulling from across several decades so there is something for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, if you want to start a successful function band, you are really starting a small entertainment business. Clients are not just booking musicians; they are booking a night of professional wedding and party band<\/a> entertainment, and they expect everything (from the performance to the kit to the dress code) to match that.<\/p>\n\n\n

Step 1: Choose the right band members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As previously alluded to, the importance of picking band mates cannot be overstated. It’s tempting to go all in with a virtuosic musician, without asking many further questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you are not just picking a colleague – music is, in many ways, a lifestyle. As such, it’s important to remember you’re picking someone who you’ll (hopefully!) be sharing a lot of time with; playing, traveling, setting up gear and even sharing hotel rooms with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some potential things to think about when auditioning new members:<\/p>\n\n\n\n