What Is DJ Live?
DJ Live is a new concept on the UK live music scene. It features a group of live musicians (usually singers and solo instrumentalists) performing alongside a DJ. In a nutshell, it's a DJ with live musicians.
What instruments accompany the DJ in a DJ Live band?
In a DJ Live band, the most common musicians to play with the DJ are saxophonists, violinists, percussionists and guitarists, as well as singers – possibly up to three or four, with a mix of male and female singers.
What makes DJ Live bands unique?
DJ Live isn't like a conventional function band. Most regular function bands include more "supporting" instruments, such as bass guitar and keyboard. With DJ Live, however, the only instrumentalists are those who frequently perform solos – sax, electric violin, trumpet, percussion, lead guitar.
With DJ Live, the rest of the sound and harmonies, which would traditionally be provided by the backing band, are provided by the tracks selected by the DJ.
The groups often feature LED or light-up instruments, especially the sax. Another way of describing this musical combination is as "DJ and live music" or "DJ with live instruments" – the perfect accompaniment for a wedding reception in a tipi or marquee, at a corporate event or spectacular product launch.
View the UK's Best DJ Live Bands to Hire for Weddings and Events
How it works
View our DJ Live Bands performing live
What Kind of Music Does a DJ Live Band Play?
DJ Live groups can usually perform almost any type of music. The most commonly requested styles are 90s, RnB, Motown, house, soul and funk, as well as drum 'n' bass and UK garage.
The trend is moving towards more current dance music, rather than the classic pop and rock tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s that many standard function bands perform.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a DJ Live Band?
The exact cost will depend on the number of live musicians you book to play alongside the DJ. The average cost for a 4-piece DJ Live group is £2,300.
If you wanted to add more musicians and singers then the cost will increase accordingly.
Many of our groups feature all-female line-ups, including female DJ, female sax and electric violinists.
The groups bring the DJ centre-stage (rather than hiding at the back of the stage).
DJ Live groups are also sometimes referred to as a "DJ band hybrid" or "DJ band combo" – as they combine the best of both worlds: live music and instrumentalists with the professional mixing and backing tracks provided by the DJ.
What Kind of Events Is DJ Live Popular At?
DJ Live is becoming increasingly popular as a choice by couples for their evening wedding music.
Couples want the flexibility that comes with hiring a DJ – the ability to choose their own songs that they want them and their guests to dance to at the wedding.
But DJ Live goes one step further and creates much more of a spectacle than a single DJ. Just imagine the sax player roaming amongst your guests while the DJ plays your favourite tunes. It's guaranteed to get the crowd wild!
DJ Live is also frequently booked on FixTheMusic for corporate events and product launches. Brands that want to book something a bit edgier and more dynamic than a usual function band find that DJ Live ticks all the boxes.
DJ Live is a really popular choice with the younger generation of clients and guests, so as a trend it's not going anywhere and we at FixTheMusic predict it will only get more popular over the coming 2-3 years.
Many wedding couples agonise over whether to book a DJ or a function band for their wedding. Both have their pros and cons, and many people (including your wedding guests!) will prefer one or the other.
The great thing about DJ Live bands is that they can satisfy everyone's tastes. A professional DJ who can mix tracks and read the crowd, combined with the added spectacle of live musicians with cool and funky instruments (such as light up saxophone, bongos or trumpet) and live singers – it's pretty much the ultimate musical entertainment experience!
FAQ About Hiring a DJ Live Band
What makes a DJ Live band different from a regular DJ or a traditional band?
DJ Live blends the best of both worlds. You’ll get the energy and flexibility of a DJ set, combined with the excitement of live musicians who improvise on top of the tracks. This creates a performance that feels spontaneous and interactive, while keeping the party flowing without breaks.
What line-ups are available with DJ Live groups?
Line-ups are fully customizable. Popular options include DJ with saxophone, percussion, or vocals. Larger groups can add guitar, electric violin, brass, or multiple singers. You can scale the line-up depending on your budget, venue size and the kind of energy you want.
How long will a DJ Live band perform?
Most DJs provide music for 4–5 hours, often covering the full evening party. The live musicians typically join in for shorter sets spread across that time, for example 3–4 bursts of 15–30 minutes. You can discuss timings with the act to shape the performance around your event.
Can DJ Live groups adapt their set to suit my event?
Yes. Many groups can create a more chilled vibe early in the evening or during cocktails, before ramping up into high-energy sets later on. You can also give input on song choices, genres and must-play tracks.
Do DJ Live acts supply their own sound and lighting?
Professional groups bring all necessary equipment, including PA system, instruments, DJ console and basic lighting. If your venue has sound restrictions or requires additional production, let the band know in advance so they can advise on solutions.
How much should I budget for a DJ Live performance?
Fees generally start around £1,500 for a DJ with one live musician. Adding more performers increases the cost, as does travel outside their local area or extending performance hours. Quotes will always reflect the specific line-up you choose.
Do I need a separate DJ if I hire a DJ Live group?
No. The DJ is already included in the line-up. Between the live musician sets, the DJ keeps the party going with seamless mixes, so you won’t have gaps in music.
What happens if a musician in the DJ Live group is unavailable?
Most groups work with trusted deputies who can step in if needed. This ensures the performance can go ahead without compromising on quality.
Can DJ Live groups travel internationally?
Yes. Many of the acts on FixTheMusic regularly perform overseas for destination weddings, private parties and corporate events.
Why people love FixTheMusic
About FixTheMusic
FixTheMusic is a secure platform for hiring amazing professional wedding bands and musicians anywhere in the world. And it's completely free to use.
Founded in 2015 by two brothers who share a passion for great live music, FixTheMusic is a new way to find and book hand-picked bands for weddings, private parties, corporate events and charity events.
FixTheMusic is free to use – the price you agree with musicians is the price you pay.
We really hope you enjoy using FixTheMusic. If you have any feedback for us, please get in touch. Otherwise, read more about FixTheMusic, browse our FAQs or read our blog to find helpful articles, research, insights, definitive guides and much more!
As professional musicians, we realised how difficult it can be for event planners to find and book musicians for their event. So we decided to make it easy.
With FixTheMusic, all you need to do is tell us what you’re looking for and our system does the heavy lifting to get you offers from our carefully curated selection of amazing musicians.
We make it simple and secure for you to connect directly with the best musicians across the globe so you can book live music for any event within minutes.
Have a read of our highly curated list of 31 Best Wedding Bands in the UK ➡️
We're regularly mentioned in forums and wedding industry blogs and were recently featured in Vogue. Take a look at FixTheMusic in the press.
Check out our Instagram, YouTube and TikTok ♪ for videos and photos of our bands performing at real weddings, parties and events.
FixTheMusic is trusted by the world's most prestigious brands, universities, charities, wedding planners and events companies
FixTheMusic's corporate and government clients include Google, Facebook, Amazon, Lamborghini, Samsung, U.S. Department of State, Formula One, The Premier League, The Crown Estate, UNESCO, Playstation, Huawei, Hewlett-Packard, Pepsi, CHANEL, Dior, Bacardi, Unilever, Red Bull, Sky Arts, L'Oréal, House of Fraser, The Ritz, The Savoy, Johnson & Johnson, Aldi, the British Army, Ministry of Defence, Virgin Sport, WPP, W Series, KPMG, Deloitte, The Economist, G4S, Lavazza, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, English Heritage, The Courtauld Institute of Art, The King's Fund and numerous luxury hotels and wedding planners around the world 🌍
FixTheMusic is proud to have provided live music for numerous charity fundraising events, including for London's Air Ambulance, WWF UK, The Zoological Society of London, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, The Royal British Legion, Shelter, The Genesis Research Trust and The Pituitary Foundation.
Local professional musicians and function bands throughout the world
Beyond the UK, FixTheMusic has helped clients find amazing local musicians and book UK-based bands for destination weddings and events as far afield as Cyprus, France, Malta, Monaco, Ibiza, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Finland, Poland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Guinea, India, Israel, the Dominican Republic, Singapore and China.
We are the world's leading specialists in providing outstanding bands for weddings in France, Italy, Greece (and the Greek islands, especially Santorini), Spain, Portugal and Croatia.
We have ambitious plans to grow internationally over the coming years — we want FixTheMusic to be the first port of call for discovering and booking outstanding local musicians throughout the world.
View thousands of verified reviews of our wedding bands and book with confidence
We're proud that we have received consistent 5-star reviews on Facebook, Google and Trustpilot.
As well as offering only a carefully curated selection of hand-picked bands and musicians, we strive to provide world-class customer service so you can book with complete confidence. See what our clients say in our verified reviews.
FixTheMusic was a finalist in the Parmee Prize for Entrepreneurs at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
We have been an official supplier with Rock My Wedding. They choose only the very best wedding suppliers and we're proud that they invited us to join their hand-picked selection of outstanding suppliers.
We have become the first port-of-call for British couples looking to hire the finest wedding bands UK has to offer.
Having provided the live music entertainment for thousands of weddings and events worldwide, we were often asked by clients if we provided other entertainers aside from bands.
We now offer a full range of entertainment options for weddings and corporate events, from fire dancers and magicians to acrobats and stilt walkers, including other professionals such as wedding photographers.
To minimise our carbon footprint, for every 10 bookings on FixTheMusic, we provide funds to Trees for Cities for one tree to be planted. Trees for Cities is a UK charity which aims to plant urban trees and create greener cities 🏙️ 🌳
You can read more about FixTheMusic and their team of Ed, Adam, Zazie & Paul.