29 NOVEMBER 2020 (Updated 17 APRIL 2023)
Blog post by Adam Southall
Estimated read time: 3 minutes
In this blog post, we'll list the 11 most popular wedding bands for hire in Scotland on FixTheMusic, based on the number of their confirmed bookings in 2023 and 2024.
Scotland is home to some of the finest cover bands in Europe...bands that perform regularly at high-end corporate events and celebrity weddings.
You'll see that there is a huge range of styles and that many of the cover bands offer something a bit different to make your wedding truly memorable.
All of these bands perform sets for dancing, as well as chillout music if you require a background set, e.g. for an afternoon cocktail event.
Some of these wedding bands can also incorporate a horn section (trumpet, trombone, sax player etc.), as well as electric string instruments to add another dimension to weddings and events.
We work with Scotland's best wedding bands with saxophone, including The Scottish Soul Collective, as well as the country's finest alternative wedding bands (such as Hup and Banjo Embargo).
You'll also find Scotland's top rock wedding bands, such as The Motherships.
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These wedding band recommendations are based on the number of bookings they have received from real wedding couples in Scotland.
View our complete list of outstanding wedding bands in Scotland ➡️
Wedding bands on FixTheMusic have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment.
FixTheMusic's cover bands perform in a variety of styles, from funk, blues, soul, acoustic, vintage and rock 'n' roll to R&B, Britpop, electro-swing and indie rock and pop covers. We also have a range of outstanding roaming bands, a particularly popular genre currently. They are available throughout Scotland, including in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perthshire, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling and St Andrews.
Here's the list of the 11 best wedding bands in Scotland for 2023...
1. The Scottish Soul Collective
2. Northern Star Showband
3. Circassian Ceilidh Band
4. The Motherships
5. Ceilidh Fire
6. Ceilidh Storm
7. Banjo Embargo
8. Hup
9. The Jukebox Swing Band
10. Seafolk Ceilidh Band
11. Sound Castle
So let's take a closer look at the most in-demand wedding bands in Scotland this year...
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1. The Scottish Soul Collective
Average booking price: £2,780 (as of April 2023)
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
The Scottish Soul Collective are a first-class 2 to 11 piece soul band specialising in high energy music for weddings, corporate events and private parties.
With no event too big or too small, the band always brings the party and packs the dance floor!
The Scottish Soul Collective is widely considered to be the best soul wedding band in Scotland.
Based in Glasgow, The Scottish Soul Collective is composed of a group of inspirational musicians and skilful performers and singers from across the UK. The artists behind The Scottish Soul Collective have earned their reputations as the best in the business and have over 200 years of combined performance experience.
With a huge repertoire list and fantastic arrangements, we perform a unique mix of genres and songs, all of which can be tailored to meet the requirements of you and your guests.
We want to contribute towards making your event as unique and unforgettable as possible so get in touch now to discuss enquiries and bookings.
So if you're looking to hire the finest soul and Motown wedding band Glasgow and Scotland has to offer, get in touch with The Scottish Soul Collective.
The band have performed all over the world and bring their vast musical experience to every performance.
With all their own equipment and a huge catalogue of songs suitable for any occasion, The Scottish Soul Collective will ensure your night runs smoothly and create a set list designed to keep your dance floor full ensuring that any event is a huge success.
The Scottish Soul Collective perform at all events, be it weddings, office parties, corporate events, private parties, they have it all covered.
Every event is seen as being unique and is approached in that way, guaranteeing that the music performed and running of your night is a success.
The Scottish Soul Collective tailor every single performance to the client's needs, working as closely as possible to ensure that every event is stress-free and memorable for all the right reasons.
The Scottish Soul Collective perform music from a huge and ever-expanding catalogue of songs ranging from funk, soul and Motown, through to jazz, pop and rock.
They understand the importance of having the right songs performed at your event and tailor their set with that in mind. The Scottish Soul Collective can perform any piece of music and are happy to arrange music for your event which may not be in their repertoire.
The band can also tailor their band size to meet your needs and understand you may not have space or the budget for a full 11 piece showband. Percussion can be added to any of their line-ups – and this option is highly recommended. If you have a preference for a male singer or female singer (or both male and female vocals!), then just let the band know at the time of booking.
The Scottish Soul Collective also perform as a 7 piece, a 9 piece and 11 piece.
The band is also available to perform Jazz sets as a trio, quartet or quintet if you require music for canapes, wedding ceremonies or champagne receptions.
The Scottish Soul Collective bring in all their own equipment and sound system so once you've booked the band, decided on what music you want and when you want the band to perform there is nothing to worry about and they will take care of the rest.
For weddings, the band usually provides 3 x 1 hour sets between 7pm and 12 midnight. They can also provide a short ceilidh set.
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Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
View more videos and read verified reviews of The Scottish Soul Collective ➡️
2. Northern Star Showband
Average booking price: £4,467 (as of April 2023)
Location: Edinburgh & Newcastle
Northern Star Showband play for clients in and around Northumberland and across the whole of the North of England, Scotland and the wider UK!
Northern Star Showband consists of a collection of top session musicians all based in the Newcastle area.
Each member of Northern Star Showband has been specially selected for their area of expertise and style and together they are by far the coolest, funkiest and freshest party band available to hire today.
Please take a look at our 2023 SET LIST
Northern Star Showband are fully self-sufficient providing your event with everything from a quality PA system, lighting rig, dedicated sound and lighting engineer on every event.
Available from a 6 to 11 piece, our party band perform dance floor classics from the funk, soul and Motown era, with a sprinkling of modern day hits for good measure.
Mix this with the band's vast musical ability, performance experience and showmanship and you have the perfect recipe to get your event grooving from the first note to the last!
They can play mixed party music before between and after live sets with the option of both formal and informal stage wear. Set times consist of 2 x 1 hours or 3 x 40 minutes
Northern Star Showband perform the best Funk, Soul and pop hits from the last five decades from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Jamiroquai, Taio Cruz, Jesse J, Chaka Khan, Amy Winehouse and James Brown to name a few.
Northern Star Showband pride themselves on recreating authentic and accurate renditions of their repertoire and a have been told in the past that they sound even better than the original artists!
Band line-up options
6 piece band – The line up would include 2 singers, 1 male and 1 female, drums, guitar, bass and keyboards.
7 piece band – The line up would include 2 singers, 1 male and 1 female, drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and saxophone.
8 piece band – The line up would include 2 singers, 1 male and 1 female, drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone and trumpet.
9 piece band – The line up would include 3 singers, 1 male and 2 female, drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone and trumpet – OR the band can have 3 brass by adding in a trombone and just have 2 singers.
10 piece band – The line up would include 3 singers, 1 male and 2 female, drums, guitar, bass, saxophone, trumpet and trombone.
11 piece band – The line up would include 3 singers, 1 male and 2 female, drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone player and second saxophone making a 4 piece brass section.
View more videos and read verified reviews of Northern Star Showband ➡️
3. Circassian Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,615 (as of April 2023)
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Formed in 2015, Circassian Ceilidh Band are a new and exciting ceilidh covers group, guaranteed to give you a great evening.
The band is available to play at weddings, functions, birthday parties and any other event you might think of!
They cater for all abilities of dancer and all of the band members are experienced dance callers.
Alongside playing for dancing they can also provide a singer, performance sets, background music, a wedding piper and a DJ set.
A typical evening running order could consist of: 1x hour of ceilidh dances, 30 mins of covers (traditional and popular songs), 30 mins DJ set, 1x hour of ceilidh dances.
View our list of the UK's best ceilidh bands ➡️
The band are more than happy to tailor the event to suit your needs and all times and running orders are completely flexible. Circassian Ceilidh Band will provide a full PA system for your event and are happy to provide Public Liability insurance documents as required.
Our piper is available to add a further Scottish touch to your event. Typical duties for a piper include piping at wedding ceremonies and receptions, piping and addressing the haggis at Burns Suppers and performing outside the venue of an event for guests arriving.
To add an extra special touch to your event, Circassian can compose a tune specific to your wishes. This is becoming increasingly popular as a first dance option for wedding parties.
Our core members feature some of Scotland's finest musicians. Ross (Pipes/Vocals) is Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Robbie (Fiddle) studies at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Craig (Guitar) is a winner of both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and a Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award.
Based in Glasgow, Circassian Ceilidh Band are available to perform throughout Scotland and are frequently booked for events in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
So if you're looking to hire the finest ceilidh and covers band Scotland has to offer, get in touch with Circassian Ceilidh Band.
View more videos and read verified reviews of Circassian Ceilidh Band ➡️
4. The Motherships
Average booking price: £1,272 (as of April 2023)
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
The Motherships are a 4 piece covers band from central Scotland that entertain at weddings, corporate events and parties.
Their only aim is for all clients that book them to have exactly what they want, when they want it!
They are frequently described as the best rock and indie wedding band in Scotland, featuring solid male vocals.
The band can also provide a ceilidh set, making them an unbeatable Scottish ceilidh covers band and without doubt one of the best wedding bands Glasgow offers.
Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
View more videos and read verified reviews of The Motherships ➡️
5. Ceilidh Fire
Average booking price: £1,316 (as of April 2023)
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Ceilidh Fire are a professional ceilidh band based in Edinburgh, Scotland
The group comprises some of the best musicians in Scotland, all of whom are passionate about Scottish music.
So if you're looking to hire a young and modern ceilidh band for your wedding or event in Scotland, get in touch with Ceilidh Fire.
Here are just some of the locations where Ceilidh Fire have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
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View more videos and read verified reviews of Ceilidh Fire ➡️
6. Ceilidh Storm
Average booking price: £1,535 (as of April 2023)
Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Ceilidh Storm are a charismatic covers and ceilidh band based in Scotland with an excellent repertoire of rock and pop from acts as diverse as ELO, Queen and Taylor Swift.
They perform as a quartet or trio and can also add fiddle if the emphasis is on the ceilidh. The band play the very best of rock and pop covers music and covers from the 1950s to current chart hits.
They have an extensive repertoire of songs from many different genres and decades, and specialise in providing exciting, upbeat, modern ceilidh music, interspersed into their covers set.
With an experienced dance-caller present, even novice ceilidh-ers can dance the night away!
Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
So if you're looking to hire the finest ceilidh and covers band Scotland has to offer, get in touch with Ceilidh Storm.
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View more videos and read verified reviews of Ceilidh Storm ➡️
7. Banjo Embargo
Average booking price: £1,450 - £1,850 (as of April 2023)
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Banjo Embargo are an Edinburgh-based acoustic mash-ups band delivering party classics in an original and imaginative style.
Once described as ‘Hayseed Dixie on speed with a serious chunk of Funk!’, they have been making fans wherever they play.
We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Cray House & Estate in Blairgowrie and Balbirnie House in Glenrothes, Scotland.
They feature five-string banjo, chunky acoustic guitar, double bass, stripped down drums (sometimes even a suitcase) and brilliant four-part harmonies.
This tweed-clad Edinburgh quintet have been entertaining crowds across Europe with their brilliantly imaginative take on some of pop’s most memorable tunes. Whatever your flavour they’ve got it covered!
Since their inception in 2007, their shows have included many gigs up and down the country and beyond including festivals, awards ceremonies, the 2014 Ryder Cup end party, Edinburgh Film Festival wrap parties, Edinburgh Book Festival launch parties, gigs for Visit Scotland, Fynefest, List Magazine's annual Festival Party, Club Vegas and The World Famous Spiegeltent along with over 400 other shows.
Other notables are gigs at the old Marquee Club in Soho, London, a cocktail boat on Loch Lomond, an awards ceremony in Malta and a pool party in Ibiza.
They've also played many private parties too including one for the cast of BBC's Eastenders and another for fashion designer Jenny Packham.
With 5 string banjo, acoustic guitar, double bass, stripped-down drum kit and 4 vocalists, some really do say that their bluegrass-funk interpretations are better than the originals.
Their eclectic and diverse blend of mash-ups include tunes by Louis Prima, Radiohead, Daft Punk, The Prodigy, Metalica, Panjabi MC’s Knightrider remix of ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’, a bluegrass souped version of Dizzy Rascal’s ‘Dance Wiv Me’, New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain.
Our set list also includes Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love', a high-octane version of Duran Duran’s ‘Girls on Film’, a stylophone-powered version of 'The Final Countdown', The Beastie Boys’ ‘Intergalactic’, Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’, and Nelly’s bluegrass-ed ‘Hot In Herre’.
Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...
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So if you're looking to hire the finest modern bluegrass pop covers band UK has to offer, get in touch with us.
Barney (Guitar & Vocals)
Barney has recorded albums and played and toured in USA, Holland and extensively in the U.K. Won the MTV ‘In The City’ Unsigned Band of the Year award in 1997 and subsequently signed a two-single deal with Boy George before securing a large album deal with New York-based label ‘Roadrunner Records’.
He has an honours degree in Sonic Art, DJs and also does music and sound design for adverts, theatre and dance.
Richard (Drums & Vocals)
Richard graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a 1st class honours degree in music, and now plays regularly across the UK and further afield.
Recent artists he has worked with include number 1 boyband The Wanted, The Sugababes, Grammy nominee Muhsinah, African Jazz Singer 'Somi' (number 2 world music artist works with John Legend, Paul Simon, Dave Gilmore), number one selling artists The Noisettes, Scottish rising star Carrie Mac, electronic act Homework and critically acclaimed Jazz/Fusion group The Discordian Trio.
He has performed on BBC1, 2, ITV and Channel 4 and as well as radio stations across Europe and played in the multiple award-winning show 'Hamlet! The Musical'.
Pat (Banjo & Vocals)
Pat was born in Belfast and has lived all over the UK. As well as playing the 5 string in Banjo Embargo he plays in and manages Edinburgh based independent folk/bluegrass band Southern Tenant Folk Union and London-based soundtrack maestros The Incredibly Strange Film Band.
An experienced touring and recording musician, Pat has won many awards, performed on national radio (Radio 4's 'Loose Ends') TV (Saturday Night Live) and in theatres and venues all over Europe and the USA.
Craig (Double Bass)
Craig has a degree in music from Napier University in Edinburgh and has spent time in New York City performing and studying at The New School while also studying privately with bass masters such as John Patitucci and Felix Pastorius.
An experienced and versatile musician, he has shared the stage with modern jazz/fusion group The Discordian Trio, contemporary folk singer Jake Cogan, 60's French pop revivalists Jack And The, African jazz singer Somi, and New York based improvised comedy group The Vigilante among others.
He has performed live on national radio shows and toured the UK on a number of occasions as well appearing at major events including the Cheltenham Jazz festival.
View more videos and read verified reviews of Banjo Embargo ➡️
8. Hup
Average booking price: £1,525 (as of April 2023)
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Hup is a four-piece band bringing a traditional Scottish feel to all genres, from Contemporary to Classic Party Hits.
The band is comprised of father and son Eddie and Matt and father and daughter Tam and Eilidh! All members are extremely dependable and bring a wealth of experience.
Hup is available to hire for all kinds of events, from weddings and private parties to pub and corporate events, the band can play them all!
Eddie brings a massive sound to the music with his Midi Accordion and Keyboards, Matt is one of Scotland’s top young Vocalist and Guitarist, Tam brings a Rootsy feel on the Mandolin with Eilidh providing some foot-stomping Fiddling and the finesse of her classically trained Violin.
The band have been blowing crowds away for three years now with their mix of Rock and Pop Classics and a few bouncing Ceilidh Dance sets thrown in to make every party one to remember.
They're definitely one of Scotland's best folk-inspired modern cover bands featuring accordion, mandolin and violin / fiddle.
So, if you’re looking to hire one of Glasgow’s finest wedding & party bands, look no further than Hup and get in touch today!
View more videos and read verified reviews of Hup ➡️
9. The Jukebox Swing Band
Average booking price: £1,542 (as of April 2023)
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
The Jukebox Swing Band began its musical life as a classic swing and jazz band. However, influences of the 1950’s, classic film themes and current music began to inspire the band.
Combining their love of old and new music, The Jukebox Swing Band offers up “pop-swing” by remastering modern favourites into vintage style tunes which sit happily alongside jazz standards.
Old and young find themselves dancing the night away in their own personal nostalgia.
View more videos and read verified reviews of The Jukebox Swing Band ➡️
10. Seafolk Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,256 (as of April 2023)
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Performing together since 2007, Seafolk ceilidh band provide a fresh, modern approach to the classic ceilidh, combining traditional with the not-so-traditional.
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, but happy to travel throughout the country as well as overseas, they mainly provide music for weddings, corporate events, parties and student events.
They can provide lighter background music as well as upbeat ceilidh and pop/rock covers music for dancing.
View more videos and read verified reviews of Seafolk Ceilidh Band ➡️
11. Sound Castle
Average booking price: £1,039 (as of April 2023)
Location: Falkirk, Scotland
Sound Castle is an exciting function band comprised of five main elements: guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and vocals.
The band also offer a ceilidh set, calling dances as needed.
With two vocalists, Sound Castle perform fantastic harmonies and tunes that you just can’t help but dance to.
Sound Castle draw from a vast repertoire that spans from the 1950s to the present day, and with their unrivalled versatility, the band creates a fabulous party atmosphere that truly enhances any occasion, however big or small.
We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Best Western Plus Keavil House Hotel in Dunfermline, Scotland.
Sound Castle has performed at functions in every 5-star venue across Scotland, including venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and all over Perthshire, Ayrshire and central Scotland.
The band have built an impressive list of corporate clients from the world of Scottish Football, Scottish Motor Sport, Oil, Pharmaceuticals, Local Authority, Education and the Financial Sector.
Sound Castle is a reliable, hardworking and eager to please band who would be delighted to play a part in your event!
The group will be happy to alter their setlist to fit with your event and are more than happy to learn a particular track for your first dance.
View more videos and read verified reviews of Sound Castle ➡️
FixTheMusic provides bands for thousands of weddings and private events each year. We've put together some FAQs about hiring a wedding band, a few of which are listed below:
Receive quotes from Scotland wedding bands
We hope you've enjoyed reading this list of the best wedding bands Scotland has to offer in 2023.
FixTheMusic is a one-stop shop for booking outstanding professional musicians – and it's completely free for you to use.
Fill in the enquiry form to receive offers directly from hand-picked musicians. Once you've confirmed details with your preferred act, book and pay securely through our secure online checkout.
— Adam is a co-founder of FixTheMusic and works on everything from copywriting and marketing to design and user experience. He studied Music at Cambridge University. Adam is a keen pianist, and also learned cello and trumpet from an early age.