So how does it work?

Amplified roaming bands

In NOMAD’s case, the lead singer uses a wireless mic of course. Backing vocals are provided by the other band members via headsets. Instruments-wise, guitar and bass are plugged into wireless battery packs and the drums are provided by a very nifty wheeled cajon or wireless electric drumkit.

The quality of amplified sound is impressive with deep bass and crisp highs – make no mistake, this is not sit-down entertainment, they will get you on your feet.

The band call their show a unique form of ‘dining entertainment’ and certainly they interact with the audience in a way that wasn’t technologically possible 10 years ago.

Acoustic roaming and wandering bands

There are also the UK's best acoustic roaming bands or wandering bands featured on FixTheMusic – this option is very popular for smaller weddings or where your wedding venue has a strict sound limiter. A roaming wedding band will often perform a wide mix of pop covers – from the 60s to today's current hits, often with a slightly folk edge to the repertoire.

If you fancy transforming your birthday party, wedding reception or corporate event to a modern mediaeval banquet, then make an enquiry on FixTheMusic where we’ll be promoting a variety of wandering groups over the next few months.

The bands are also known as "wandering bands" – as they tend to wander in between and mingle with guests whilst playing their music and singing. Although almost every wandering band in the UK is based in London, most are happy to travel to other parts of the UK.

Most of the acoustic bands consist of a singer or two (usually male vocals, but often female too), acoustic guitar, cajon or other percussion and double bass. Occasionally the bands might also add a saxophone to the line-up.

Roaming brass bands

Another popular option is to book a roaming brass band – these modern brass groups are inspired by the roving New Orleans-style band but updated with a modern and often unusual twist. The bands usually feature trumpets, trombones and sousaphones, and occasionally a singer or even rapper to perform alongside them. These acoustic brass groups tend to be much louder than the acoustic guitar-based wandering bands, so are perfect for large public events (such as charity parades or marches).

Roaming jazz bands

Another popular type of band in this style is the roaming jazz band. Although similar to the other acoustic roving bands mentioned here, a roaming jazz band specialises in performing jazz and swing music. These groups are perfect for street parties.

They usually feature instruments such as the clarinet, banjo, trumpet, trombone, and may also include a singer or vocalist. The genre of music they play is typically Dixieland jazz (or hot jazz / traditional jazz) that originated in New Orleans.

They are especially popular at city weddings – and often hired to wander outside alongside guests after the wedding ceremony has taken place.

Busking-style bands

Lastly, the bands are often described as a busking-style band. Indeed, part of the tradition of the roaming acoustic band does stem from busking musicians – traditionally, musicians performing live on the street would be acoustic of course as they would have no access to power or amplification.

Every roaming band for hire on FixTheMusic have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment.

Roaming bands are a brilliant choice, especially for afternoon entertainment at your wedding. They epitomise summer and are perfect for wandering through your guests at drinks receptions.

Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about hiring a roaming band, which we hope will act as a definitive guide for booking a wandering band for weddings and events.

With restrictions on social gatherings slowly being eased in the UK, a small acoustic roaming band might be the perfect musical group to celebrate the end of lockdown.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic / coronavirus on the live music industry has been catastrophic, with almost every event since March 2020 being either cancelled or re-scheduled. It might soon be possible to host small gatherings with a limited number of guests in outdoor settings. For most bands, this will still prove problematic – as they require access to electricity and amplification.

If you are allowed to hold a small outdoor party or BBQ in a garden or public space (a "social distanced party"), then a solo acoustic singer or 2- or 3-piece roaming acoustic band could be the perfect solution to providing some safe and relaxing musical entertainment.

Doorstep entertainment

With many people still self-isolating at home, it might still be possible to have musicians turn up at your loved ones' doorstep – and provide musical entertainment from a safe distance. Many of our acts are providing this service already and are comfortable doing so in safe and COVID-secure ways.

FixTheMusic is a one-stop shop for booking amazing professional musicians anywhere in the world. And it's completely free for event planners 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 and musicians for weddings, private parties, corporate events and charity events.

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.

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Beyond the UK, FixTheMusic has already 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, Croatia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Finland, Poland, Dubai, Oman, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Guinea, India, Israel, Singapore and China.

We have become specialists in providing outstanding wedding bands for weddings in France, Italy, Greece (and the Greek islands, especially Santorini), Spain, Portugal and Croatia.

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