Folk Groups for hire in London

Browse 143 folk bands for hire in London, from traditional English and Celtic folk groups to modern indie-folk and festival-style bands for weddings, parties and events. London's size and diversity mean you can find folk bands covering every style here, from traditional English and Celtic groups to indie-folk acts in the Mumford and Sons mould. Many are full-time musicians with festival and recording credits alongside their events work, and the standard across the board is strong.

Prices for folk bands in London typically start from around £100, with an average of £874. Use the filters below to narrow by event type, and check 1600 reviews rated 5 out of 5 from real clients to help guide your choice.

Rated Excellent (5/5) from 1600 reviews of Folk Groups
Latin / Chorinho / Choro Folk Group

0 reviews

Betchworth, Surrey

Available in London

Book from £410* - get a quote

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Acoustic Duo with a Blues/Folk twist, covering songs from the 60's - present

1 review

Dartford, Kent

Available in London

Book from £336* - get a quote

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Pop, Rock, Indie, Classical and Irish!

9 reviews

Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

Available in London

Book from £1630* - get a quote

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Versatile & charismatic professional duo specialising in acoustic music!

3 reviews

St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Available in London

Book from £385* - get a quote

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Total entertainment solution party band for corporate or private events!

5 reviews

Guildford, Surrey

Available in London

Book from £1350* - get a quote

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Quality vocal harmony duo with Acoustic guitar and violin

5 reviews

St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Available in London

Book from £250* - get a quote

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Excellent musicianship and a really fun atmosphere wherever we go!

10 reviews

Harlow, Essex

Available in London

Book from £1430* - get a quote

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Festival band playing Folk/Indie/Pop hits. Perfect for boho and rustic themes

24 reviews

Bracknell, Berkshire

Available in London

Book from £1310* - get a quote

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An exciting and memorable occasion to savour for years to come.

4 reviews

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Available in London

Book from £730* - get a quote

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Professional Accordion and Violin Duo!

9 reviews

Horsham, West Sussex

Available in London

Book from £350* - get a quote

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Ceilidhs – Weddings – Country Dances – Reeling Parties

52 reviews

Reading, Berkshire

Available in London

Book from £743* - get a quote

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We're bringing Irish back and we're up for the craic! Trads & Irish Pop-Rock 🎻

61 reviews

Luton, Bedfordshire

Available in London

Book from £800* - get a quote

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The liveliest Irish & Scottish folk band in the UK! (Caller Included)

46 reviews

Luton, Bedfordshire

Available in London

Book from £800* - get a quote

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Live folk, country and jazz male-female duo!

1 review

Luton, Bedfordshire

Available in London

Book from £726* - get a quote

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Folk, Bluegrass, Irish & Americana duet!

1 review

Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Available in London

Book from £810* - get a quote

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Showing 46-60 of 143 results
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How much does it cost to hire Folk Groups available in London?

£ Low Price
from
£100
££ Average Price
from
£874
£££ High Price
from
£3304
The average price for Folk Groups available in London is £874. 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 folk 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 folk 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 folk 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 folk 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 folk 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 £874. Budget-level acts may be available for as low as £100, while top-tier acts can command prices as high as £3304.

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 Folk Groups available in London, how to register and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.

Hire a Folk Band in London

London offers one of the widest selections of folk bands in the UK, covering everything from traditional English and Celtic ensembles to indie-folk groups performing festival-style acoustic arrangements of pop and rock hits. Many London-based folk musicians are active on the national festival circuit and bring a level of stagecraft and musicianship that translates well to weddings and private events. The capital also draws bands from across the South East and beyond, so the pool of available acts for London events is larger than most other regions. For Celtic music with caller-led dancing, our ceilidh bands in London page covers that format. For dedicated Irish acts, see our Irish bands in London page.

Folk bands at London weddings

Folk bands are increasingly popular for London weddings, particularly at venues that suit the rustic, festival aesthetic: converted warehouses in East London, garden venues in Richmond and Kew, and barn-style spaces on the outskirts of the city. An indie-folk band performing acoustic pop with banjos, fiddles and double bass creates an atmosphere that feels distinct from a standard function band, and many offer roaming sets during drinks receptions where the musicians move through the crowd rather than performing from a stage. For couples planning a full day of entertainment, our acoustic bands in London and London wedding bands pages list other acts that complement a folk band.

Corporate and private events

Beyond weddings, London folk bands are booked for corporate summer parties, product launches, charity fundraisers, gallery openings and milestone birthday celebrations. The acoustic format suits outdoor terraces, rooftop venues and garden settings where a full electric band would be impractical or too loud. Many folk bands can perform entirely without mains power, which makes them particularly flexible for unusual or outdoor London venues. For events with a country or Americana theme, our country bands in London page covers that style.

The London folk scene

London has a thriving folk music scene, with regular folk nights, open mic sessions and acoustic events running across pubs and venues in Camden, Soho, Brixton and beyond. Many of the bands on this page are active on this circuit, which means they are experienced at performing in a range of room sizes and settings. That gigging background shows in their ability to read a room and adjust their energy to suit the event, whether it is a relaxed afternoon drinks reception or a packed evening dance floor.

London folk band costs

Folk bands in London currently range from £100 to £3304, with an average of £874. London rates tend to sit above the national average, reflecting both the quality of the musician pool and the logistics of performing in the capital. Summer Saturday weddings are the most competitive dates. Acoustic duos are the most affordable option, while four or five-piece bands with full PA sit at the higher end. Use the price comparison section on this page to compare rates, and contact individual acts for an accurate quote.

Hire a folk band in London
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