Question 1

How far in advance do we need to book your services?

Accepted Answer

Booking duos / small groups in Edinburgh, Midlothian 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.

Question 2

How much do duos / small groups cost in Edinburgh, Midlothian?

Accepted Answer

The cost of hiring musicians in Edinburgh, Midlothian can vary significantly depending on the type of act. Prices currently range from £280 to £4,056, with an average of £600.

Question 3

What happens to the music when the band is on a break?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Do I need to book a separate DJ as well as a band?

Accepted Answer

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, with 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.

Question 5

What happens if the band cannot make it on the day?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What is a duo, and what kinds can I hire?

Accepted Answer

A duo is two musicians performing together, and it is one of the most flexible live music options for a smaller event or a tighter budget. The most common format is a singer with a guitarist, though you will also find singer and pianist duos, two vocalists sharing harmonies, and instrumental pairings such as violin and guitar or saxophone and keys. Some duos perform entirely live, while others use backing tracks to fill out the sound.

Duos cover a wide range of styles, from relaxed background music through to sets designed to get people dancing. If you want live music across a longer part of the day without booking a full band, a duo is usually the most practical choice. Many acts listed as duos can also scale up to a trio or a four-piece for the evening, so it is worth asking what line-ups they offer before you book.

Question 7

What is the difference between a duo, a trio and a full band?

Accepted Answer

The difference is the number of musicians and, in practice, how much sound they produce. A duo is two performers, a trio is three, and a full band is typically four to six or more. A duo usually pairs a vocalist with one instrument, a trio adds bass, percussion or a second instrument to thicken the sound, and a full band brings a complete rhythm section.

For a smaller venue, a drinks reception or a room of up to around 80 guests, a duo or trio is often the better fit and takes up far less space. For a large evening party where the priority is a full dance floor, a full band will carry the room more easily. Cost usually scales with the number of musicians, so a trio sits between the two. Many small groups offer all three formats, so you can match the line-up to the part of the day.

Question 8

How many musicians are in a small group, and what line-ups are available?

Accepted Answer

A small group generally means two to four musicians. Beyond that, most acts describe themselves as a band. Within that range the common line-ups are a duo of vocals and guitar or vocals and piano, a trio adding bass or cajon, and a four-piece that brings in drums or a second vocalist for a fuller sound.

Instrumental small groups are also widely available, including string duos and trios, jazz combos, and wind or brass pairings for ceremonies and receptions. Many acts are flexible: the same musicians may offer a duo for the afternoon and a four-piece for the evening, priced accordingly. When enquiring, tell the act your guest numbers, the size of the room and whether you want dancing, and they will recommend the line-up that suits.

Question 9

What styles of music do duos and small groups play?

Accepted Answer

Small groups cover most of the styles a full band would, adapted for fewer musicians. Popular choices include pop and chart covers, soul and Motown, jazz standards, folk, and easy listening for background music. Many duos build a set that moves through the evening, starting relaxed and lifting into more familiar singalong material later on.

Instrumental groups tend to specialise: string players for ceremonies and drinks receptions, jazz combos for dinner and cocktail hours, and Latin or Spanish guitar for a warmer atmosphere. Most acts publish a song list, and many will happily adjust it around your taste, whether that means leaning on a particular decade or leaving certain material out. If there is a style you particularly want, mention it when you enquire rather than assuming it is covered.

Question 10

Are duos suitable for weddings, and which parts of the day work best?

Accepted Answer

Duos are one of the most popular wedding choices, largely because they work at almost every point in the day. A duo can play as guests arrive, during the drinks reception, through the wedding breakfast as background music, and into the evening for the first dance and dancing afterwards. Because they need little space and less power than a full band, they fit venues where a larger act would not.

Many couples book a duo for the daytime and a band or DJ for the evening, but a duo can cover the whole day on its own if you want a consistent feel and a single point of contact. If you are booking a duo for the evening as the main entertainment, check they have a set designed to fill a dance floor rather than a background repertoire.

Question 11

How long does a duo perform for?

Accepted Answer

A standard duo booking is two sets of around 45 minutes within a two to three hour window, which is the same shape as most band bookings. Duos are often more flexible than larger acts, and three shorter sets spread across a longer part of the day is a common alternative, particularly at weddings where you want music at several points.

Because a duo is easier to sustain than a full band, many acts will play across a wider window for a smaller uplift than a band would charge. Between sets, most duos provide a playlist through their PA so there is no silence. If you want music from the drinks reception through to the end of the evening, ask for a full-day quote rather than booking sets individually.

Question 12

Do duos provide their own PA and sound equipment?

Accepted Answer

Almost all duos arrive fully self-contained. That normally means a PA system suited to the room, microphones and stands, instruments and amplification, cabling, and often simple lighting. Because a duo needs less power and less space than a full band, setup is usually quicker and the equipment footprint is much smaller, which is why duos suit venues with tight access or limited staging.

For larger rooms, outdoor performances or events above roughly 150 guests, a duo may recommend a bigger PA than their standard rig. Tell the act the venue, the room size and your guest numbers when enquiring so they can bring the right setup. If your venue provides its own in-house sound system, mention that too, as some duos can plug into it and reduce what they need to bring.

Question 13

Do duos use backing tracks?

Accepted Answer

Many duos use backing tracks, and it is one of the main things that separates one act from another. Tracks fill in the parts a full band would play, such as bass, drums and keys, which lets two musicians produce a much bigger sound than their numbers suggest. This is common in pop and soul sets where the aim is to get people dancing.

Other duos perform entirely live with no tracks at all, which gives a more intimate and organic feel and tends to suit ceremonies, drinks receptions and dinner music. Neither approach is better, but they sound noticeably different, so it is worth asking and listening to samples before you book. If you have a strong preference either way, say so at the enquiry stage, as some acts can offer both depending on the part of the day.

Question 14

Can a duo perform outdoors?

Accepted Answer

Most duos are happy to perform outdoors and are easier to accommodate than a full band, since they need less power and less cover. The two practical requirements are a power supply within reasonable reach and shelter over the performance area. Even light rain is a risk to instruments and electrical equipment, so a gazebo, marquee edge or covered terrace is normally needed rather than optional.

Sound behaves differently outside, with no walls to reflect it, so a duo may bring a larger PA than they would use in an equivalent indoor space. Uneven ground, grass and gravel also affect setup, so mention the surface when booking. If there is no mains power available, ask whether the act can work from a battery powered system, which some duos carry and which is often enough for a ceremony or drinks reception.

Question 15

Can a duo learn a specific song, including a first dance?

Accepted Answer

Most duos will learn a song specially, and a first dance request is very common. Give as much notice as you can, ideally six to eight weeks, so the act has time to arrange the song for two musicians rather than simply playing the original version. Some duos include one learn request in their fee and charge for additional songs, while others quote per song.

Not every song adapts well to a duo, particularly tracks built around a full production or a heavy rhythm section. A good act will tell you honestly if a song will not translate, and often suggest an arrangement that works better, such as a stripped back version. Send a link to the exact recording you have in mind rather than just the title, as many songs have several versions and you want the one you are picturing.

Question 16

How much space does a duo need?

Accepted Answer

A duo needs very little space, which is one of its main practical advantages. An area of roughly two metres by two metres is usually enough for two performers, their instruments and a compact PA. A trio needs slightly more, around three metres by two. That means a duo can work in rooms where a full band simply would not fit, including small function rooms, restaurants and marquee corners.

The act also needs access to a power socket within reach of the performance area, and somewhere to unload nearby. A flat, dry surface matters, particularly if there is a keyboard or a double bass involved. If space is genuinely tight, tell the duo the dimensions when you enquire, as many can adapt their setup or bring a smaller PA to fit.

Question 17

Will a duo be loud enough to fill the room, and will it work with a sound limiter?

Accepted Answer

A duo with a properly specified PA will comfortably fill most function rooms and can hold a dance floor, particularly if they use backing tracks to thicken the sound. Volume comes from the PA rather than the number of musicians, so a duo is not automatically quieter than a band. For very large rooms, or guest numbers above roughly 200, a fuller line-up will carry more easily.

Duos are usually a good answer where a venue has a sound limiter. There are no drums to control, which is what most often trips a limiter, and the overall level is easier to manage. Tell the act the limiter threshold in decibels when you book so they can plan their setup, and check whether your venue measures at the stage or elsewhere in the room, as this changes what is workable.

Question 18

Are duos suitable for corporate events and private parties?

Accepted Answer

Duos work well at corporate events, where the brief is often background music that lets people talk rather than entertainment that dominates the room. Drinks receptions, awards dinners, conference breaks and Christmas parties all suit a duo, and the small footprint means they fit into hotel function rooms and office spaces without special staging.

For private parties, a duo suits milestone birthdays, anniversaries and garden parties, particularly where the guest list spans a wide age range and a full band would be too much for the space. Many duos are comfortable adjusting their volume and set list across an evening, playing quietly during food and lifting the energy later. If the event has speeches or presentations, tell the act the running order so they can work around it and provide music through their PA in the gaps.

Question 19

What should I consider when booking a duo in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh has a deep pool of small acts, with a strong folk, jazz and acoustic scene that suits duo and trio bookings. If your event falls during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, the city is exceptionally busy, and this affects availability, travel costs and parking more than at any other time of year, so book well ahead.

Many Old Town and city centre venues have noise restrictions and sound limiters. A duo is usually straightforward in these spaces, but share the limit with the act early so they can plan their PA. Venues out in the Lothians have more relaxed noise policies and more room. Scottish weather makes an outdoor performance a risk at any time of year, so if you want music outside for a ceremony or drinks reception, have a covered backup arranged rather than assumed.

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