Duos / Small Groups for hire in London

Browse 757 duos and small groups for hire in London, from acoustic duos and singing pairs to jazz trios and small party bands. Find the right act for your wedding, corporate event or private party. Every act has a full profile with audio samples, video clips and reviews from real clients, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 across 6295 reviews. The average price for a duo or small group in London is currently £712.

Use the filters below to narrow results by price, style or availability.

Rated Excellent (5/5) from 6295 reviews of Duos / Small Groups
Sassy and soulful singer and guitarist who knows how to read a crowd!

2 reviews

West London

Available in London

Book from £290* - get a quote

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Professional string quartet performing classical, jazz, and cinematic favourites

4 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £400* - get a quote

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Ladies Piano Duel are two immense piano vocalists from London, taking requests!

0 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £968* - get a quote

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A duo of vocals and guitar performing popular hits from the 80s to current day.

0 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £496* - get a quote

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Accordion with optional band

23 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £420* - get a quote

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Soul & Jazz Acoustic Duo

3 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £455* - get a quote

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Fresh and exhilarating gypsy-swing, forged in the heart of London

4 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £2035* - get a quote

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Experienced London based duo performing jazz classics to modern day hits

1 review

North West London

Available in London

Book from £420* - get a quote

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3 to 6 piece covers band, both high energy dancefloor & smooth instrumental!

4 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £490* - get a quote

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Husky Rich vocals, reminiscent of 50s jazz!

0 reviews

North West London

Available in London

Book from £908* - get a quote

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Oboe, bassoon, piano trio

0 reviews

West London

Available in London

Book from £500* - get a quote

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Live Bollywood Entertainment

2 reviews

North London

Available in London

Book from £765* - get a quote

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Versatile Jazz Sax & Piano Duo

1 review

North London

Available in London

Book from £480* - get a quote

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Brilliant music interpretations & professional attitude (Solo/Duo/Trio/Quartet)

9 reviews

North London

Available in London

Book from £496* - get a quote

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Live Indian Classical Music Tabla & Sitar

0 reviews

North London

Available in London

Book from £720* - get a quote

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Showing 31-45 of 757 results
Rated Excellent
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Browse categories similar to Duos / Small Groups

How much does it cost to hire Duos / Small Groups available in London?

£ Low Price
from
£100
££ Average Price
from
£712
£££ High Price
from
£4047
The average price for Duos / Small Groups available in London is £712. Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the act you like for an accurate quote.

Frequently asked questions


If your venue is within the London Congestion Charge zone, clarify with your chosen act how they handle this before confirming the booking. Some duos / small groups include it in their quoted price; others add it to travel expenses afterwards. The charge is currently £18 if paid on the day or in advance, or £21 if paid by midnight of the third day after travel. It is also worth checking whether your venue falls within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which now covers most of Greater London. The ULEZ daily charge is £12.50 for most vehicles. As with the Congestion Charge, some acts will absorb this cost and others will pass it on, so it is worth confirming upfront. Car parking costs should also be discussed in advance.

Each event is different but the typical performance time for duos / small groups in London 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.

Booking duos / small groups in London 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.

Most duos / small groups 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 duos / small groups in London have lighting systems, but most usually will charge extra for this or recommend a third party supplier for you to use.

The cost of hiring musicians in London can vary significantly depending on the type of act. The average price is currently £712. Budget-level acts may be available for as low as £100, while top-tier acts can command prices as high as £4047.

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.

Frequently asked questions about Duos / Small Groups available in London, how to register and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.

Hire Duos & Small Groups in London

London's venue scene suits smaller acts particularly well. Hotels, members' clubs, rooftop terraces and riverside restaurants often have tight stage areas or strict sound limiters that rule out a full band, making a duo or trio the practical choice. Many London venues also enforce noise curfews, so a two-piece that can dial the volume up or down across the evening is a genuine advantage. With 757 acts available in the London area, you can compare styles, watch videos and read reviews from real clients before booking.

Acoustic duos for London weddings

An acoustic duo is one of the most popular bookings for London weddings, especially for the ceremony and drinks reception. A vocalist and guitarist performing stripped-back covers creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere that works in everything from a Shoreditch warehouse to a Kensington townhouse. Many acoustic duos also offer a roaming option, performing unplugged while moving through the crowd, which is ideal for drinks receptions where guests are spread across multiple rooms or an outdoor terrace. For dedicated ceremony music, browse our wedding ceremony musicians in London.

Jazz and instrumental duos

Jazz duos and trios are a strong choice for corporate events, restaurant bookings and evening receptions in London. A piano-and-vocal pairing, saxophone duo or jazz trio provides polished background music that complements conversation rather than competing with it. London's concentration of conservatoire-trained musicians means the standard is high, and many jazz acts can tailor their repertoire from classic standards to bossa nova or modern jazz depending on the mood you want. If you want a fuller jazz sound, our jazz bands in London category has larger ensembles.

Practical considerations for London bookings

If your venue is in the Congestion Charge zone, factor in the £18 daily charge when discussing logistics with acts. Central London venues can also be challenging for load-in, so confirm parking and access arrangements in advance. A duo or trio has a clear advantage here as they carry far less equipment than a full band. Many London venues have house pianos, which can save setup time if you are booking a singing pianist or piano-based duo.

What duos and small groups cost in London

Acts in London currently range from £100 to £4047. The average price is £712, with acoustic duos typically sitting at the lower end and trios or small bands with full PA at the higher end. Use the price comparison section on this page to compare rates across the acts listed here.

Hire a duo or small group in London
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