Garden Party Live Music Ideas – A Short Guide

Garden party music can be anything from a soothing string quartet or string trio to an enlivening steel band or an exotic Mariachi band. This short blog post on garden party music ideas is designed to give you some inspiration when planning your summer event.

Summer means garden parties, and Britain does these well! Green lawns, picnic buffets and endless jugs of Pimm’s are all staple ingredients. Live music ties all this together, and FixTheMusic will help you find the right musicians and book them quickly and securely.

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Jazz trios, quartets and other ensembles are a classic choice, as are string quartets or a solo violinist or cellist. On the one hand, classical music doesn't require electricity which means you can have the musicians perform anywhere (within reason!).

The sound of strings, or indeed a small wind ensemble, is always soothing and is a great way to elevate the vibe of a garden party.

Furthermore, nearly all the classical acts on FixTheMusic offer a range of repertoire, including contemporary pop songs, Disney numbers and easy-listening arrangements, so you'll be able to cater to all tastes with ease.

On the other hand, a jazz group can inject a bit more excitement into the party, as long as you can provide electricity for the keyboardist (and PA if there's a singer). Background jazz suits a garden party with cocktails and adult guests particularly well, and the band can always turn it up if people want to listen properly and dance.

A band that features a saxophonist, trombonist or trumpet player takes the entertainment to the next level, and a good singer fronting the lineup will make your garden party one to remember.

Speaking of saxophonists, they can also be hired as soloists for garden parties to perform with backing tracks, or with live DJ accompaniment to bring Ibiza vibes to your event.

Here's Sax & Bongos performing at a garden party in Liverpool...

View more videos and read verified reviews of Sax & Bongos ➡️

Ukulele Ladies is an interactive, upbeat act perfect for drinks receptions and roaming table performances.

Perfect for any occasion, Ukulele Ladies have a wealth of experience performing at all kinds of events, from weddings and parties to corporate and business functions.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Ukulele Ladies ➡️

One of our most popular forms of live music entertainment for garden parties and outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions in recent years has been the acoustic roaming band. These bands are completely wireless and can roam amongst your guests, making them perfectly suitable for outdoor events.

COVID-19 Update

With social distancing measures likely to be in force for the next few months at the very least, small garden parties outdoors will be one of the best ways to host parties and gatherings in a safe way. Coronavirus has sadly made indoor parties almost impossible in the UK at the moment, which is why many of our bands have adapted and now offer packages suitable for outdoor gatherings and garden parties.

It seems that even in 2022, weddings are likely to be smaller than we were previously used to, with many couples opting for wedding parties in private gardens or other outdoor spaces.

The age of the garden party wedding band has started!

The best choice for an outdoor garden wedding or party would be an acoustic roaming band – ideal when there's no access to electricity. In order to stay safe, the strolling bands might not be able to wander amongst your guests as much as they would normally, but they can still move about the outdoor area, depending on how spacious it is.

One of FixTheMusic's musicians recently set up a new band in response to the global pandemic. Meet 3Cover – a new band made up of session musicians who can alternate between singer, guitar, double bass, percussion and sax.

View more videos and read verified reviews of 3Cover ➡️

As restrictions on gatherings are (hopefully) gradually eased over the next few months this year, it should become increasingly possible to hire a live band, DJ or other musicians for an outside garden party.

Many of FixTheMusic's couples who were planning big weddings for hundreds of guests this year have decided to postpone their wedding to 2022, and instead host a small party in a field or garden, for a handful of their close family and friends. In order to take the party to the next level – whilst keeping it intimate – they are also choosing to book live music for the garden party, either as background music or for a little bit of dancing.

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Musicians on FixTheMusic have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment.

You can browse all of our roaming bands here, and below are a couple of our most popular acoustic strolling bands available for hire:

View more videos and read verified reviews of The London Roaming Band ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Wandering Three ➡️

Should you be looking for something a little different for your garden party, then other great choices include Caribbean steel drum bands, a trad jazz lineup like The Moonshine Jazz Band, a vintage-style jazz band, or even a roaming acoustic act like the modern Mexican mariachi band Sonora Mariachi Band, whose pop covers are original and great fun.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Sonora Mariachi Band ➡️

Another popular Mexican live music group is The London Mariachi Band...a group of musicians with over 15 years of experience. They are a group of young and professional musicians who create the best Mexican music. They are dedicated to entertaining each audience in the best possible way and spreading the Mariachi word.

View more videos and read verified reviews of The London Mariachi Band ➡️

FixTheMusic also has a great selection of acoustic singers and acoustic duos, from gentle folk-based repertoire to the beautiful pop covers sung by London-based guitarist-singer, Thomas Philip.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Thomas Philip ➡️

Other popular choices include a classical harpist. Cheshire-based harpist Ellie Tessa has performed at numerous garden parties – and provides a very elegant style of background music for drinks receptions in particular.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Ellie Tessa ➡️

Whatever music you choose, performing outdoors requires cover from rain (it wouldn't be a British summer without) so musicians don't get wet and, more importantly, any electrical equipment is protected from water.

Mariachi bands are also an ideal choice for outside parties this summer. With no need for electricity or wires, they can set up anywhere in the garden – and instantly bring that fiesta feeling to the event.

Sonora Mariachi Band are one of our most popular pop covers mariachi bands based in London.

Acoustic duos are also an excellent idea for a laid-back garden party, providing light musical accompaniment while your guests enjoy cocktails and nibbles.

Here are a few of FixTheMusic's most popular acoustic duos...

View more videos and read verified reviews of The Chain ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Sunbirds Duo ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Acoustic Royale ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Thomas Philip ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Cover Brothers ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of NOMAD Lite ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of The London Acoustic Duo ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Acoustic Nights ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of Wandering Three ➡️

View more videos and read verified reviews of The Manhattan Roamers ➡️

Receive quotes from acoustic duos

If the musicians are using amplification then a safe power supply is essential to the extent that it is written into FixTheMusic's standard contract.

Musicians on FixTheMusic have PAT-certified equipment. Most venues will have had their outlets tested but you can always contact them to clarify details before the event.

So if you're looking to hire a musician or small band for your garden party, submit an enquiry to receive offers from our hand-picked musicians for your outdoor event!