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World Music Ensembles for hire

Hire a world music band for a wedding, party or event. Choose from 117 of the best performers based right across the UK. Book fantastic musicians playing music from every corner of the globe!

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How much does it cost to hire World Music Ensembles?

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£225

££ Average Price

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£854

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£3304

The average price for World Music Ensembles is £854. Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the act you like for an accurate quote.

Reviews of World Music Ensembles

Want to see more reviews? There are currently 966 reviews of World Music Ensembles in our review centre and the average rating is 5/5.

Frequently asked questions

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

Booking world music ensembles 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.

My venue has a sound limiter. Will this be a problem?

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.

How much space does a band need to set up and perform?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

What size band do I need for my event?

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.

How much do world music ensembles cost?

The cost of hiring musicians can vary significantly depending on the type of act. The average price is currently £854. Budget-level acts may be available for as low as £225, while top-tier acts can command prices as high as £3304.

How long do world music ensembles usually perform for?

Each event is different but the typical performance time for world music ensembles 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.

Do world music ensembles perform outdoors?

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.

Will the act provide all the necessary equipment, such as sound systems and lighting?

Most world music ensembles 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 world music ensembles 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 World Music Ensembles, how to register and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.

About these World Music Ensembles

The term world music can cover just about anything, from Flamenco guitarists to Caribbean steel drum bands. Whether you are looking for an exotic flavour of another culture for a themed event, or just fancy putting on something a little different in your public venue, with the Last Minute Musicians entertainment directory, booking world music ensembles near you has never been easier!

"It was a little daunting booking a band based on a few small clips on a website, but we knew straight away they were the right band for us. The Rampart Street Ramblers were amazing value for money, and really made our wedding special. They learnt our first dance for us, and we couldn't have been happier with how it turned out. Everyone commented on how wonderful and unique the band was, and the whole booking process was quick and easy. I would re-book on this site, and re-book this band without a doubt!"

Harriets's review of The Rampart Street Ramblers

Ideal for:

World music ensembles will be brilliant for any event with a strong theme - perhaps you're looking to host a dinner with food from a particular part of the world, organising formal cultural exchange events or simply looking for something a bit different for your birthday party or wedding!

When booking World Music Ensembles:

World music ensembles can come in all sorts of different forms. If you are looking for music from a particular part of the world, you might want to begin by doing some research on what styles of music are popular there. Once you've established that, you can begin to look through the acts on the directory.

Pay careful attention to your prospective act's promotional material and make sure that whatever band you are interested in will be suitable by liaising with both them and your venue.

Prices for World Music Ensembles:

Prices for world music ensembles will depend on how many musicians are in the line up. Duo bands will start at around £350, but larger ensembles of 5 or more will begin at a minimum of £750. Some acts may charge more, depending on their speciality. If you're looking to cut down on travel charges, use the "advanced search" feature to find world music ensembles near you.

About World Music Ensembles repertoire:

Obviously, world music is a very broad term and can apply to all sorts of bands, duos and solo acts. Some of the most popular acts include latin bands, reggae acts and steel drum groups.

Latin acts can be anything from solo jazz performers, to full afro-cuban drum ensembles. They might play anything - Latin jazz, Brazilian samba music, Spanish rumba and Cuban son are some of the popular genres. Popular tunes will include "Guantanamera" and "La Bamba" as well as popular songs from other rock/pop artists like Shakira or Santana.

Steel drum groups will perform many Caribbean classics, as well as reggae tunes. They will often cover popular chart hits, in their own unique style, to add a touch of the familiar to your Caribbean street party atmosphere.

The reggae or tribute bands on the Last Minute Musicians directory will be able to recite your favourite ska, rocksteady and reggae classics by the likes of Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals and Jimmy Cliff.

There are many other types of acts on the directory, from Greek musicians to gypsy folk performers and traditional Irish groups. Let your imagination run wild!

The World Music Ensembles featured on this page are all members of the LastMinuteMusicians.com entertainment directory. Use the refine section at the top of this page to find World Music Ensembles 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 World Music Ensembles. With over 3300 active listings you are sure to find the perfect entertainer, musician, band or entertainment service to make your event just perfect. Don`t forget you can use our online chat (below) to get instant help with your booking.

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Browse categories similar to World Music Ensembles

How much does it cost to hire World Music Ensembles?

£ Low Price

££ Average Price

£££ High Price

Reviews of World Music Ensembles

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Frequently asked questions

About these World Music Ensembles

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