Sam Gillies The footprint of a soloist, the energy of a live band

Main band photo
Contact Now

Media

Gallery

Price Guide

Description Price
1 hr performance, no breaks£140
2 x 45min performances, 15min break£180
2 x 1hr performances, 15min break£225
No VAT chargeable, mileage/travel to be agreed outside of 10 mile 'free travel' area radius (from Maidenhead)

About / Biography

Armed with a guitar, a pedalboard, a sampler and a looper, this ‘One-Sam-Band’ conjures seismic soundscapes typically only achieved by a 3-piece outfit. Sam predominantly plays dynamic acoustic guitar covers blended with live looping and soulful vocals, creating a rich wall of sound all on his own.

Sam has played solo, in various bands, as a DJ, and hosted various residencies and open mic nights around the globe - and is usually found writing and producing singles and EPs in his spare time. He enjoys playing a broad range of songs and tries his best to fulfil requests where possible. With his broad range of influences and endeavours in the music industry, Sam sets himself out from the crowd with his use of samplers and effects - he can switch from delicate acoustic singer-songwriter numbers to fully-orchestrated electronic dance anthems at the drop of the hat. To quote a repeat client: "Sam is not just someone playing covers on a guitar".

Featuring a varied and tried-and-tested setlist designed to read the room and keep audiences engaged, Sam is always excited to try new things. He is a firm believer that smiling is contagious and maintains a positive, energetic and fun presence on the stage - intended to filter through the audience.

If you have any specific track ideas or creative concepts for your event, please get in touch!

Reviews (4)

There are currently 4 user ratings for Sam Gillies

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 10

Location

Based in Maidenhead, Berkshire

Will travel up to 30 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 30 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 10 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Sample Repertoire

-- please ask if something is not listed here and you'd like me to learn it!! --

Ariana Grande – I Hate That You Made Me Love You

Avicii – Wake Me Up

Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather

Billie Eilish – My Future

Blackstreet – No Diggity

Bloodhound Gang – The Bad Touch

Bob Marley – Is This Love

Bon Iver / Birdy – Skinny Love

Carpenters – Close to You

CeeLo Green – Crazy

Craig David – Fill Me In

Damien Rice / Dijon – Cannonball

Damien Rice – Volcano

Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. – Best Part

Darius Rucker – Wagon Wheel

Dijon - Cannonball

Dijon – Skin

Disclosure ft AlunaGeorge – White Noise

Disclosure ft. Sam Smith - Latch

Drake – Passionfruit

Drake - Work

Estelle / Kanye West – American Boy

Feeder – Buck Rogers

Fleetwood Mac – Big Love

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

Foo Fighters – Everlong

Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly

Foo Fighters - Times Like These

Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

Fountains of Wayne – Stacy's Mom

Frank Ocean – Pink & White

Frank Ocean – Thinking Bout You

George Michael - Careless Whisper

George Michael – Faith

George Michael - Last Christmas

GooGoo Dolls - Iris

Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

Gorillaz – Dare

Gotye – Somebody I Used to Know

Hall & Oates – Maneater

Hall & Oates - I Cant' Go For That (No Can Do)

Incubus – Drive

Jamiroquai – Cosmic Girl

Jamiroquai – Little L

Jennifer Paige / Jai Paul – Crush

John Denver – Country Roads

John Mayer - Daughters

John Mayer – I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)

John Mayer - Gravity

Justin Bieber – Company

Justin Bieber + Dijon – Devotion

Justin Timberlake What Goes Around... Comes Around

Katy B – Katy on a Mission

The Kooks - Naive

Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away

Lionel Richie – All Night Long

Limp Bizkit - My Way

Linkin Park – Crawlin'

Linkin Park – In the End

Lola Young – Messy

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Mac Band – Roses Are Red

Mac DeMarco – Chamber of Reflection

Mac DeMarco – Salad Days

Mac DeMarco – Still Beating

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk

Mario – You Should Let Me Love You

Michael Jackson – Human Nature

Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson – Thriller

MGMT – Kids

Mk.gee – Are You Looking Up

Muse – Hysteria

Muse – Plug In Baby

Myles Smith – Stargazing

New Order – Blue Monday

Nick Hakim – Green Twins

Oasis – Don't Look Back in Anger

Outkast – Hey Ya!

Peter Bjorn and John – Young Folks

Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer

Puddle of Mudd – Take It All the Away

Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls

Queen - Radio Gaga

Queens of the Stone Age – Go with the Flow

R. Kelly – Ignition

Radiohead – Just

Ray LaMontagne – Trouble

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Sabrina Carpenter – Taste

Sam Smith – Latch

Shaggy - Angel

Spandau Ballet – Gold

Steely Dan – Rikki Don't Lose That Number

Steve Lacy – Bad Habit

Steve Lacy – Dark Red

Stevie Wonder – Superstition

Talking Heads – Home (This Must Be the Place)

Tame Impala – The Less I Know the Better

Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tenacious D – Tribute

The Killers – Mr. Brightside

The Police – Englishman in New York

The Police – Message in a Bottle

The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony

The Weeknd - I Feel It Coming

TLC – No Scrubs

Tom Petty – Free Fallin'

Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight

Traditional – Belle of Belfast City

Traditional – Fisherman's Song

Traditional – Queen Mary (Llewyn Davis)

Traditional – 500 Miles Away from Home (Llewyn Davis)

Traditional / Thin Lizzy – Whiskey in the Jar

U2 – With or Without You

Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl

Weezer – Island in the Sun

Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag

Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

2 x 13amp power sockets. 1 parking space.


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

yes, completely self contained if and as required!


What information do you require about a venue?

Please advise if a PA system and lighting is needed, and if not, provide details of mixer console and any key channel/IO arrangements. Please confirm 2no. 13amp power sockets are available 'from wall'. Please advise where I should load equipment from.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes! Absolutely, I can provide a playlist to suit the vibe - and also DJ services before and/or after the event. Please advise of any requirements and preferences.


What do you need and what do I need to provide?

Just two standard 13 amp power sockets and some space! As I am a soloist, I don't need a large stage footprint and am unfussy in terms of my own requirements. I can provide a stage plan if needed.


Do you have Public Liability Insurance and PAT Tested equipment?

Yes! My equipment is PAT tested, I have Public Liability cover up to £5mil and Professional Indemnity Cover up to £1mil - I can provide certification on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

Tricky one - either the Hope and Anchor in Islington or the Cambridge Corn Exchange!


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

These questions are tough..! At the moment, Dijon. It varies - Radiohead, The Beatles, Queen, MkGee, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Jai Paul...

Greatest song of all time - Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen or Human Nature by Michael Jackson (and the 3 co-writers..)


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

I've always played music since I can remember. Keyboard then drum lessons way before 10, then picked up the guitar aged 11, played bass and sang in a band at 16. I've always sang since school - I gigged around Cambridgeshire at 17, then Plymouth 18-20 where I started DJing on CDJ's and vinyl. Moved to Shanghai and started DJing techno events and producing more and more. Moved to Oxford and made several connections in the dance music world, playing electronic nights supporting artists such as Mosca and Zed Bias, then eventually Bastille. Decided to start playing guitar and singing again whilst in London in my mid-20s, and gigged the London circuit both Solo and in a band. Here we are and I've been playing solo and as a looper for 2+ years, whilst producing in my spare time.


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

Sounds cliched - but everything. I love playing wherever I can! Private events (birthdays, weddings) are a lot of fun particularly as people arrive ready to have a good time.


Why should I book you for my event?

I bring the energy, fullness, and dynamic punch of a full four-piece band, but with the compact footprint and lean setup of a solo act. I am responsive, helpful and aim to make the music at your event as painless as possible so you can focus on the bigger things!

Using advanced live-looping technology, acoustic fingerpicking, live bass, and atmospheric vocal harmonies built right on the spot, I cover everything from intimate, stripped-back acoustic moments to high-energy, dancefloor-filling anthems. Whether you're booking for a wedding reception, corporate party, or private function, you get massive sound and festival-level energy without the logistical headache or space requirements of a traditional band. Completely self-contained with professional-grade PA and lighting—just plug in and play


How flexible can you be with your setlist and song selections?

I have a tried-and-trusted setlist that I've honed through countless gigs but having said that, music is personal to everyone and I am well aware every person's taste is different! Give me plenty of notice and I'll try to learn any songs I don't already - I may have to limit this to a reasonable number but please do enquire..

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

I usually take 20-25mins to set up but prefer to arrive early - an hour if I can.

I typically play 2 x 45mins or 2 x 1hr sets but can cater for any particular requirements.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, but with our Great British weather and so much electrical equipment I would need some form of rain cover!


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

I have a broad setlist to cater for variety so I often ask for a general 'flavour' of what a client likes. I can learn 'must have' songs - the number of which (and notice I need to learn them) depends mostly on the complexity of the songs!

I often take requests on stage - again, it really depends on if I know the song and how difficult it is to play.. I play by ear so I can usually work something out :)


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

The looping and sampler aspect stands out as unique - to quote a couple of previous clients:

"Sam‘s played for us a couple of times and both times he’s been amazing. In fact I can’t wait for the next one. The way he layers everything together and builds up a song and makes out of unconventional songs something really harmonic and current. Sam is not just someone playing covers on a guitar."
-Ben M

"Sam is one of the most versatile and professional solo acts we’ve had perform for us. His live looping style is completely unique and kept the venue buzzing all night"
- Lawson T

Recent Clients

Sam Gillies has performed for these clients:

Ben & Jack Studio

The Maiden's Head

Maidenhead Country Festival

Dead or Alive Promotions

Venues

Sam Gillies has performed at these venues:

Maidenhead Country Festival (Maidenhead, UK)

Cambridge Rock Festival - Folk Stage (Cambridge, UK)

The Library, Islington (London, UK)

Hope and Anchor (London, UK)

The George Tavern (London, UK)

The Finsbury (London, UK)

The Cavendish Arms (London, UK)

Apples and Pears (London, UK)

Gecko’s Bar (residency), (Shanghai, PRC China)

D’arrys Wine Bar (residency), (Cambridge UK)

Bushey Hill Sessions Peckham (London, UK)

The Gladstone Arms (London, UK)

The Bullingdon (Oxford, UK)

Man on the Moon (Cambridge, UK)

More Info

Events types:

Wedding

Birthday Party

Private Event

Corporate Event

Hotel / Restaurant Event

Bar / Venue Event

Concert

Recording Session

Charity Event

New Year's Eve

Genres:

Pop

Acoustic

Covers

Disco

R&B

Rock

Classic Rock

Indie

Features:

PAT tested

Male vocalist

DJ / background music options

Lighting system included

PA / sound system included

Will travel internationally

Public liability insurance

Contact

If you have any questions for Sam Gillies or would like to make an enquiry, please click "contact now" below. You can also add this listing to your favourites and contact multiple listings at the same time.
Contact Now
View Favourites