Hire Indie Bands in the UK
Hire an indie band to turn your next event into the party of the year. With their fresh style, distinct sound, and magnetic performances, indie bands aren't just professional musicians; they're artists who create an atmosphere that is sure to wow.
Whether you want an indie rock wedding band or an indie pop-rock birthday party, these bands for hire bring sizzling individuality to make your event unforgettable.
The UK has been at the front of the stage of the indie music scene for decades. In fact, the term "indie rock" originated in Manchester, where bands like Buzzcocks led the way in the 70s. Today, the UK indie rock band scene is still booming, with talented bands offering a wide range of sounds and styles.
Many indie cover bands provide a blend of rock and pop, making them a perfect match for events of all kinds and sizes. From rock anthems to classic hits, a live band connects with audiences and gets the party rocking on the dance floor.
Are you ready to add flair to your celebration? Then check out our list of top indie bands for hire in the UK.
Most popular indie bands
How it works
Can Any Indie Band Play My Favourite Song?
Most indie bands play a blend of rock, pop, indie, and even folk music covers, so your favourite song is probably already in the mix. On FixTheMusic, each band's profile has a set song list so that you can see what's on offer.
These bands are also generally flexible and willing to learn a couple of specific songs for your event, especially if they fit within their genre and style. Just reach out to the band ahead of time with your requests to ensure they can accommodate them.
How Much Time Do Indie Bands Take to Set Up?
Setup times can vary, but most indie bands typically require one to three hours to set up, perform a sound check and arrange any particular lighting equipment.
Keep in mind that setting up is smoother if there is easy access to the venue and an organised event schedule.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Indie Band?
The costs to hire an indie band can vary, depending on the following factors:
- Popularity of the live band
- Duration of the performance
- Location
However, on average, you can expect to pay from £1,200 to £2,000 for a professional indie band in the UK. An acoustic duo or three-piece rock band playing acoustic sets will be on the lower end, while larger bands will cost more.
Additionally, anything after midnight may cost more, so discuss your needs and preferences when booking for a tailored quote.
View Some of Our Indie Bands Performing Live
What Classifies a Band as 'Indie'?
Indie bands are independent bands that usually operate without the backing of a major record label.
Specifically, indie rock features unique sounds with guitar-based arrangements, often accompanied by vocals.
Famous indie rock bands like Arctic Monkeys, Kaizer Chiefs, and The Strokes define the genre's eclectic style, blending pop, rock, and indie anthems.
What Type of Person Likes Indie Music?
There is a misconception that classic indie music is just rock music or pop anthems heard at charity events. But this couldn't be further from the truth!
Indie music appeals to a diverse audience that values originality over mainstream trends, like Stevie Wonder or the Backstreet Boys.
Indie rock bands are particularly popular with the under-40s crowd, who love their unique sounds and high-energy performances. Many of these bands also perform nostalgic music covers from their teenage years, blending indie charm with hits from genres like pop-punk and classic rock.
How Do You Find an Indie Wedding Band in the UK?
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! So, you have set your event date and want to hire an indie wedding band to get the party started at your reception? It's easy!
Online platforms like FixTheMusic are excellent resources for finding the best wedding indie bands. You can browse portfolios, read reviews, and connect with bands that fit your style.
How Long Will an Indie Band Play For?
Most indie bands perform two live sets of around 45-60 minutes, but others may offer three 40-minute sets. Additionally, most bands have a playlist of recorded music or a DJ set between performances.
What Type of Music Will an Indie Band Play?
Indie bands typically cover a wide range of genres, from folk to pop to rock. Each band has its own style, so check their repertoire to find the right match for your event.
What Kind of Events Can I Hire an Indie Band For?
You can hire professional musicians for any event you like—weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate events, festivals, charity events, and everything in between.
If you want to fill the dance floor (even if it's just for a Saturday night splurge), live music is the way to go.
Can an Indie Band Play Outdoors?
Yes, your indie band can play outdoors if the following are taken into consideration:
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The weather: Rain, snow, and strong winds are no good for outdoor parties.
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Access to electrical points: Your band will need access to power their equipment, from amps to microphones. If you want a lighting set-up, this will also need to be powered.
How Do You Choose an Indie Band for Your Event?
First, consider the overall theme, audience and desired mood you want to create at your event. Then, browse FixTheMusic and the bands's profiles to create a shortlist of your favourites.
Once you've narrowed your options, send an enquiry to all of them in just one click. You can then make your final decision based on your budget and the bands's availability.
Hire an indie band today to get your guests dancing with the best live music!
Reviews from local events in the UK
“I booked the Manhattans on Behalf of a corporate client for a "festival themed" summer event. They were brilliantly professional, arriving punctually to set up and providing an acoustic roaming duo for the drinks reception and later the party band for 2 sets. They really got the crowd going and their energy was electric. The client was extremely happy with the event, in a large part down to the band, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them!”
Booked The Manhattans for a corporate event at De Vere Latimer Estate, Chesham, UK
“The band were absolutely brilliant and made our special day unforgettable. We had compliments from loads of our guests and would highly recommend them to anyone that wants a lively evening set that gets everyone involved. We also opted for a couple of the band to play during the drinks reception which was a lovely accompaniment.”
“They were absolutely exceptional from start to finish. I could not recommend them more highly!”
Booked Pop Academy for a wedding at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Aylesbury, UK
“WOW...where can we begin?! From the moment we first spoke to them, they were always so professional and so open hearing all our questions and requests. We went with the added sax player On the day we were blown away by our first dance which the band learnt!! Loved the rest of the set list - a big highlight for us was Oasis and the "nation anthem" (haha!). Our guests loved the band too and still telling me now how they were the best wedding band they have seen. Thank you so much, and thanks for bringing all the party vibes for us and our guests. From Ryan and Laura x”
“Rock Out played in the evening of our wedding at Leez Priory. From the start of the process they were very flexible and were willing to learn a new song for our first dance. We were also provided with an extensive set list where we were able to chose the songs we wanted them to play on the night. The band were set up and ready to play and they really made the evening for us and our guests. They played our first dance perfectly and then kept the evening rocking with some great tunes. Despite being due to play 2 sets, with a break in between, we were running late, so they played on through without a break due to the location curfew for noise. We couldn’t have asked for a better band for our evening event. They were friendly, amenable and their performance was outstanding. Great vocals and music with a varied playlist to suit all tastes. I would thoroughly recommend them for any event.”
“The Hawks were absolutely AMAZING and completely blew us and our guests away. Honestly, they somehow managed to exceed even their showreel! They brought so much energy, fun and pure joy to our wedding. The dance floor was exactly what we'd hoped for, and they absolutely made the party. We've had so many guests tell us since just how brilliant the band were on the night. They were also such great sports and completely embraced all of the fun and frivolity as the evening went on, including us ending up on stage with them towards the end of the night! They created such a brilliant atmosphere and genuinely seemed to be having as much fun as everyone on the dance floor. The Hawks are seriously talented musicians, brilliant performers and exactly the kind of band you want if you're looking for an incredible party at your wedding. We're so grateful they were part of our day and cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you for helping make our wedding night so unforgettable! Katie & Alex.”
“Where to start…The Manhattans were absolutely incredible from start to finish, if you are in two minds about who to use for your wedding, this is your sign to go with these lads. From the first planning meeting with Sam, we were so impressed with his professionalism and attention to detail. This continued throughout the lead up to the wedding, with how proactive and responsive Sam was. Nothing was too much trouble and the band even learnt a song at the Emma’s request (and completely nailed it!). On the day, the band arrived and set up with the minimum of fuss and were ready to go in good time. When they did take the stage, they blew us and our guests away. There were a mix of songs we’d requested from their set list and a few others they threw in too. The vibe was perfect and they kept the dancefloor packed over two sets. Plenty of our guests have said they’re the best band they’ve ever seen at a wedding and we agree. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. This was followed up with a DJ set to close the night out, which was again fantastic and kept everyone on the dancefloor til last orders. One of the things we wanted most for the day was great music and a big old party and The Manhattans brought that for us. Thank you so much, you were brilliant! Rick & Emma.”
“We cannot recommend The Tourists enough! We went for the 3 piece band with Si singing for our wedding and they were phenomenal! Everyone was telling us on the night how great they were and we have had so much incredibly positive feedback since too! The first thing most people have said about our wedding has been ‘the band were amazing!!’ and we cannot agree more! They were so professional and sounded honestly amazing and the communication ahead of the day was also great and put us both completely at ease. They’re amazing musicians and absolute masters of what they do! Book them immediately!”
“WOW - we cannot begin to explain how incredible Si & The Tourists are!! They played at our wedding (3 piece band + Acoustic set) and every single guest said it was the best wedding band they have ever seen and that the music was incredible. We totally agree and had the time of our lives - the dance floor was never empty and the energy out of this world!! Thank you Si for making the process so smooth and seamless, great communciation and so friendly. Your acoustic set was amazing too! We would 10000% recommend booking The Tourists for your wedding or party, there is nothing we could fault and only the highest praise for these fantastic humans. Hopefully see you again soon and thank you!! <3”
“The band that arrived on the night were excellent. All three were fun, very good musicians. All very understanding given our wayward timings and changes to the order last minute. Very fun and all guests highly enjoyed.”
“The Dynamos played at our wedding in Coombe Lodge in June and they were amazing!!! The band were so lovely and introduced themselves on arrival, kept the dancefloor full all night and we had so many people say to us how good they were!! Would chose The Dynamos again in a heartbeat - they were so good at reading the room and knowing the best songs to play on the day! Thank you so much!!”
“The Score are an absolutely brilliant wedding. Pretty sure there's no genre they can't play, no song request they can't accommodate. Book them!”
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.