Cabaret Bands for hire

Hire a live cabaret band for a wedding, party or event. Choose from 91 of the best performers based right across the UK.
Rated Excellent (5/5) from 657 reviews of Cabaret Bands
Elite All-Female Jazz Party Band

2 reviews

Stockport, Greater Manchester

Book from £1395* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Professional, flexible and experienced jazz trio

10 reviews

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Book from £322* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Pop and Rock Classics with a Gypsy Jazz Twist

15 reviews

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Book from £630* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Retro swing/jazz band

11 reviews

High Peak, Derbyshire

Book from £810* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Pop classics from the 30’s to the present day in vintage style!

3 reviews

Sale, Greater Manchester

Book from £1430* - get a quote

Add to favourites
An original good-time band: gentrified rock and pop in 1920s fashion!

10 reviews

Todmorden, Lancashire

Book from £1280* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Wonderful jazz vocalist and band

2 reviews

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Book from £847* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Unique female vocalist available for all events and occassions

4 reviews

Leyland, Lancashire

Book from £392* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Vocalist specialising in French chansons, cabaret, jazz and swing

3 reviews

Shipley, West Yorkshire

Book from £280* - get a quote

Add to favourites
An electrifying 11-piece ensemble blending live music and DJ like no other

0 reviews

Liverpool, Merseyside

Book from £5015* - get a quote

Add to favourites
The Jazz Pops perform pop songs with a jazzy twist in their own special way.

4 reviews

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Book from £1430* - get a quote

Add to favourites
A fun, lively band playing modern songs in a vintage/retro style

3 reviews

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Book from £950* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Top-class professional singer specialising in Vintage, Jazz, Swing, 1940s, 1950s

10 reviews

Ruthin, Denbighshire

Book from £620* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Professional vintage vocal harmony trio!

7 reviews

Cannock, Staffordshire

Book from £595* - get a quote

Add to favourites
The Wow factor for any event!

39 reviews

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Book from £560* - get a quote

Add to favourites
Showing 1-15 of 91 results
Rated Excellent
TrustPilot 5 Stars

Browse categories similar to Cabaret Bands

How much does it cost to hire Cabaret Bands?

£ Low Price
from
£215
££ Average Price
from
£942
£££ High Price
from
£5015
The average price for Cabaret Bands is £942. Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the act you like for an accurate quote.

Frequently asked questions


Booking cabaret bands as early as possible increases the chance of securing their availability on your event date, particularly during busy times of the year. However, many acts also accept last minute bookings, and we have successfully arranged performances for clients with just a few hours' notice.

Sound limiters are now common at many UK wedding venues, particularly those in residential areas or with noise-sensitive neighbours. They work by cutting the power to amplified equipment if the volume exceeds a set threshold. Most professional bands can work within standard limiter settings without any real impact on the performance. If your venue's limiter is set at 95dB or above, the majority of bands will have no difficulty. Below 95dB it is worth flagging to the band in advance, as they may need to adjust their setup - for example, using an electronic drum kit instead of an acoustic one, or opting for a smaller line-up. Ask your venue for the exact decibel level and pass it on when you make your enquiry, so the band can confirm they can accommodate it.

As a general guide, a 3-piece band needs a performance area of roughly 3m x 3m. Add approximately 1m of width for each additional musician. A 5-piece band would therefore need around 3m x 5m as a minimum. Most bands will also need a small amount of additional space at the sides or rear for equipment cases during the performance. A raised stage is not essential but does help the band make a bigger visual impact, particularly in larger rooms. The performance area needs to be flat, dry and close to a power supply. If you are unsure whether your venue can accommodate a particular band, share the dimensions with them when enquiring and they will be able to advise. Venues with unusual layouts or low ceilings are worth flagging too.

Most professional bands provide a playlist through their PA system during intervals, so there is no gap in the music and no awkward silence while they take a break. This is usually included as standard and the band will typically put together a playlist that fits the mood of the evening. Some acts offer an upgraded DJ service where a member of the band or a dedicated DJ manages the music between sets, takes requests and keeps the energy going. This is usually available as a paid add-on. Check the act's profile or ask when enquiring if this is something you would like.

In most cases, no. The majority of professional bands provide music through their PA system during intervals and after their final set, so your guests will have continuous music throughout the evening without needing a separate DJ. This is usually included in the booking. If you want a more interactive DJ experience - someone to take requests, mix tracks and keep the dancefloor going after the band finishes - many bands offer this as an optional upgrade, or you can book a DJ separately. It is worth deciding early how late you want music to continue, as a band's final set will typically finish by midnight or the venue curfew, and a DJ can be a cost-effective way of extending the night.

Professional bands take their commitments seriously and cancellations are rare, but illness, accidents or unforeseen circumstances can occasionally affect a booking. It is worth checking what provisions are in place when you book. Many acts and agencies have contingency arrangements, such as calling on dep musicians or arranging a suitable replacement act at short notice. When booking, make sure you receive a written contract that sets out the cancellation terms clearly - for both sides. If you are booking through an agency, ask specifically what happens in the event the act cannot perform. Keeping communication open with your band in the weeks before the event also helps flag any potential issues early.

Band size affects both the sound and the budget. A 3-piece can fill a dancefloor just as effectively as a larger act and tends to be better suited to smaller venues or those with sound restrictions. A 4 or 5-piece gives a fuller sound and more stage presence, which works well in larger rooms. Bigger show bands with brass sections, multiple vocalists or additional musicians create a more spectacular impact but cost more and need more space. As a rough guide, match the band size to your guest numbers and venue capacity. For events up to around 100 guests, a 3 or 4-piece is usually ideal. For 150 or more, a 4 or 5-piece tends to work better. For very large events over 300 guests you may also need to consider whether the band's own PA system is sufficient, or whether additional sound equipment will be needed.

The cost of hiring musicians can vary significantly depending on the type of act. The average price is currently £942. Budget-level acts may be available for as low as £215, while top-tier acts can command prices as high as £5015.

Each event is different but the typical performance time for cabaret bands is 2 x 45-minute sets within a 2-hour period, with a 30-minute break in between. Some acts are happy to play longer sets or additional sets. Often, breaks can be negotiated but you should be aware that the price may increase if the musicians need to be onsite for a longer period of time.

You should always check whether or not your act is prepared to play outdoors. It's sometimes not possible for acts that use a lot of electronic equipment to perform anywhere where it might rain. If the act is happy to perform outdoors you should plan to have electrical outlets close to the performance area and provide a flat surface as well as a cover in case of rain.

Most cabaret bands are self-contained and provide their own sound equipment which is suitable for typical situations. If your event is to be held in a large venue, or you have more than 300 guests, we recommend that additional sound equipment should be used. Always ask your act about their sound system requirements. Some cabaret bands have lighting systems, but most usually will charge extra for this or recommend a third party supplier for you to use.

Frequently asked questions about Cabaret Bands, how to register and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.

About these Cabaret Bands

If you're looking for some of the most elaborate acts on the Last Minute Musicians directory, then the cabaret bands section is surely where you must begin! With 91 to choose from, each one of these acts is going to offer something different and unique.

Whether it's more traditional cabaret, singing waiters (disguised amongst the venue staff!), vintage vocal trios offering close harmony classics, or even someone to recite your favourite songs from musicals, this category has it all!

"Visually stunning, vocally note-perfect entertainment for all ages, their inspired rearrangements of vintage classics such as Mr Sandman, Jeepers Creepers and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy have made them one of the years most unusual new acts – and the quaintest!"

London Lite's review of The Puppini Sisters

Hire Cabaret Bands

Ideal for:

Not for the feint of heart (or, perhaps, serious of temperament!), cabaret bands will suit any kind of event with a strong theme. Whether you are planning a public event or private function, encourage your guests to get as involved as they can with the theme of your event.

When booking Cabaret Bands:

Obviously, due to the diversity of the acts in this category, it's important to do your research. Thoroughly check out any prospective act's promotional material and remember that you can ask as many questions as you like! Communication in planning is often key when booking cabaret bands.

Most venues will require your act to have a certificate of Public Liability Insurance and and proof that their equipment has been PAT tested for electrical safety, so liaise on this with your act and your venue contact about that.

Prices for Cabaret Bands:

Quotes for cabaret bands will obviously differ depending on what sort of act they are! Singing waiters, for example will usually charge a minimum of £775. Vocal trios can start from £850, depending on backing musicians. Other acts, like brass bands or tributes, will require you to enquire to receive a unique quote. If you're looking to cut down on travel costs, use the "advanced search" feature to find cabaret acts near you.

About Cabaret Bands repertoire:

Traditional cabaret acts (if there is such a thing!) usually comprise of a singer and small jazz ensemble, playing various tunes. This can include jazz standards, or groovier numbers like Peggy Lee's "Fever". Unlike other popular music forms, cabaret is usually a very interactive experience, with lots of back and forth between the performer and the audience. It may include elements of comedy, dancing or other routines.

Nowadays, the term has broadened a little to include other forms of vintage entertainment. That said, no matter how many acts are scheduled, a cabaret night will usually feature one compere or host throughout the evening.

If you have any questions about how to achieve the kind of atmosphere you want for your event, you can always speak to any prospective act in advance, and ask them to summarise the kind of thing they do.

The Cabaret Bands featured on this page are all members of the LastMinuteMusicians.com UK entertainment directory. Use the refine section at the top of this page to find a cabaret band close to you. Simply choose a county or enter a post code into the "available in" box to refine the listings to your local area. Click the "visit listing" button to see the full profiles of the individual Cabaret Bands. With over 3300 active listings you are sure to find the perfect entertainer, musician, show band or performer to make your event just perfect. Don`t forget you can use our online chat (below) to get instant help with your booking.

Planning an event? Check out our Jazz band hire page!

View Favourites