About Up The Ante – professional wedding band based in Buckinghamshire, available throughout the UK and internationally
13 reviews
Booked 13 times on FixTheMusic ⚡
Up The Ante comprises three of the UK’s most talented, versatile and professional session musicians who combine a wealth of musical knowledge and experience to create a highly energetic, fun and dynamic stage performance.
Collectively, the band have clocked up a vast amount of live, recording and TV experience and have worked alongside some of the world’s renowned pop artists such as Jason Derulo, Just Jack, Beyonce, Groove Armada, James McCartney, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Julio Iglesias, Rumer, Cee Lo Green, Craig David and Jason Mraz (to name but a few).
Armed with an eclectic blend of music from the 60’s all the way through to modern chart hits, their versatility enables Up The Ante to cater for any occasion.
And, to cover an even greater depth of material, additional musicians such as a female singer, horn section (sax, trumpet etc.) or backing vocalists can also be added to the line-up to give your party that extra wow factor.
For UK events, Up The Ante will generally provide:
Specific song requests are always welcomed, and the constantly updated song list will always be tailored to your event depending on the age range of your guests and of course your personal requirements.
Our set list includes songs by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, through to The Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, The Killers, Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers.
Up The Ante are suitable for all types of events and venues. They specialise in performing at weddings, corporate events, product launches, university balls, and private functions and will travel anywhere in the UK and abroad (especially to mainland Europe including France, Italy and Spain) to add that electric party atmosphere to your event.
Up The Ante were recently featured on a destination wedding photographer's blog following their performance at Castello di Meleto in Tuscany, Italy. You can read the blog post here.
They have also been featured on Madeleine Norman's wedding photography blog following their performance at Nigel and Jess's wedding at Villa Podernovo in Italy and on Saša Adamović's blog from Michelle & Marc's wedding at Chateau du Doux in France.
So if you're looking to hire the finest wedding band Buckinghamshire has to offer, get in touch with Up The Ante.
How do I book Up The Ante Band for my event?
Just send us an enquiry on FixTheMusic (which is free to use) and we'll respond directly to you with a quote. When you're ready to book, you just need to pay a 25% deposit securely on FixTheMusic.
What type of music does the band play and can I have an input?
We play an eclectic blend of music from the 60s through to modern chart hits in order to cater for every occasion. We will always discuss your musical preferences with you before the event in order to create the perfect party atmosphere tailored to your needs.
Can the band play special requests?
We are happy to play one or two special requests in order to personalise your event.
How long does the band play for and what happens in the breaks?
The band typically play 2 x 1-hour sets or 3 x 40-minute sets and play music from an iPod or laptop in any breaks and after the performance until our agreed finish time. We can play music from your iPod if you prefer.
For really seamless transitions and a party into the small hours why not consider our DJ option.
Does the band have public liability insurance?
Yes, we are covered by The Musicians Union up to 10 million pounds and will provide a certificate on request.
Is the band’s equipment PAT tested?
Yes, all our equipment is regularly PAT tested and a certificate will be provided on request.
How much space does the band need?
The 3-piece band requires a 3m x 2m flat surface or stage to perform on. The 4-piece band will require a larger area of 4m x 3m.
When do the band set up and how long does it take?
The band generally arrive at 6pm and take around 1 hour to set up and line check depending on ease of access.
Do I need to provide PA or lighting equipment?
We bring a full 4K PA system (suitable for up to 300-400 people) and stage lighting to every event.
Will the band be able to play if there is a sound limiter?
We regularly work with sound limiters and generally they are not too much of a problem. However, you should always check decibel settings with the venue and bandleader prior to booking.
Can I see the band perform live before my event?
Due to the nature of the band, our public gigs are a little infrequent. Please watch our videos and listen to our audio samples to get an idea of how we will look and sound!
All the videos and MP3s on our profile were recorded live and without any overdubbing or special effects and give a very clear indication of how we look and sound live.
Do I need to provide anything else for the band on the night?
Generally, we spend anything from 6 and 10 hours on an event so we do ask for a hot meal and a few soft drinks to be provided.
"The band was amazing! All our guests loved them and spent the night dancing. We loved how they added their own spin to the songs and their version of our first dance song. We would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a band. Thanks, Alice."
– Alice Grayson, 5 March 2020, wedding in Redditch Verified booking on FixTheMusic
"Up the Ante were better than we could ever have expected for our wedding at Winters Barns, Canterbury. They knew exactly how to read our crowd and that is testament to them as we had such a diverse range of people (old, young, foreign). We can strongly recommend them to anyone, they even managed to get my Dad and brother dancing, which has never happened before. It was a great set and they nailed it, with many of our guests saying it was the best wedding they have been too and I think a large part of that is due to Up the Ante! Thanks guys! Andrew & Ging."
– Andrew Graham, 10 February 2019, wedding at Winters Barns, Canterbury, Kent, UK Verified booking on FixTheMusic
"Only good things to say about Up The Ante. Their performance on the day & night was incredible with so many positive responses from the guests, I personally thought their acoustic set was brilliant. Beyond the performance though, the back and forth between myself and James in the lead up to the wedding was essential and James was always available via email and Skype which when you’re organising a French wedding, from Sydney with an English band is absolutely crucial. So, the interaction and organisation was a big factor in making the day so special and nothing was a problem, whether it be music choice, timings, James constantly put us at ease with it all. All in all, a group of really good lads, great artists which culminated in an amazing event. Thanks for everything, Marc & Michelle."
– Marc Hayes, 20 September 2019, wedding at Château du Doux, Altillac, France Verified booking on FixTheMusic
"From start to finish Up The Ante were extremely professional, flexible and generally really nice guys! James was great at communicating with us and the band went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect, even learning songs to play during the ceremony - which were incredible! The band are amazingly sync'd and Simon's versatile voice is unbelievable! The chants of 'one more song' after they had already played one more song, is probably a good enough review in itself! I would definitely recommend these guys for any event/wedding and I would not hesitate to use them again. Nigel and Jess (Tuscany Wedding)"
– Nigel Gupta, 10 September 2019, wedding at Villa Podernovo, Monticiano, Siena, Italy Verified booking on FixTheMusic
"Up the Ante were an absolute delight from start to finish! James was very responsive and patient working out all the logistics the months before the wedding. The crowd loved them, sang along and called for encores. They played all of our favourite songs without us even really discussing the song list. I was literally jumping up and down for 2 straight hours!!! Not only were they amazing on stage they were are super nice people and they even invited my husband on stage with them for a song. I knew from the moment I found Up the Ante they would be perfect, but they managed to exceed our expectations! Thank you so much Up the Ante, you are the best!!!!"
– Yafit Shimoni, 16 July 2019, wedding at Castello Di Meleto, Gaiole In Chianti, Siena, Italy Verified booking on FixTheMusic
"We booked Up The Ante for our wedding in Spain and it was the best decision we could have made for our party and guests. James - the band's administrator, was a pleasure to work with from the start. He met with us in London to discuss our tastes and the atmosphere we were seeking and seemed to accommodate our every request. Flying them out from London to Spain could have been complicated but the band's easygoing nature and professionalism made this simple and hassle-free. And then the party. This band rocks! We wanted a rock/pop party and we got it in spades! Nobody left the dancefloor while the band was on and when they agreed to continue playing for another hour the whole place went nuts! It was the best dance party and rock show any wedding could ask for and if you're looking for great guys who can read a crowd and give them EXACTLY what they want, stop your search and book Up The Ante. You will not regret it."
– Jordon Klarenbach, 3 May 2019, wedding at Castell d'Empordà, Spain Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“The band were amazing, everyone loved them - and they did their utmost to please our musical tastes which was really important to us. They were polished but the sound was raw which is exactly what we wanted. A last-minute find for us so felt lucky to get such good quality and worth every penny. Would definitely hire them again if we have another party and would recommend to others.”
– Anna Majumdar, 17 April 2019, wedding at The Oak Grove, Kent Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“Hi James, thank you so much for playing at my 60th birthday party. The band really made the night and everyone commented on how fabulous they (and the two very talented singers) were! We’ll definitely be booking you again for parties in the future.”
– Jon Greene, 29 December 2018, birthday party in Hertfordshire Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“Hello James, I have to say how BRILLIANT the band were on Saturday. People have been raving about them ever since. I particularly loved your rendition of Superstition!! Thanks once again!”
– Tara Bell, 12 December 2018, corporate Christmas party in London Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“A big thanks for playing at our wedding. You guys were absolutely awesome and everyone loved you. I still can’t believe that I was on my knees playing air guitar in my wedding dress – sorry about that. Even my mum and dad were up dancing, which is a first in all the years I’ve known them. I still can’t believe that you managed to get all the band and gear up to Edinburgh but we’re really glad that you did.”
– Fran and John Tidy, 1 October 2018, wedding in Edinburgh Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“I just wanted to thank you guys for playing at my husband’s surprise 40th. He had such an amazing night and was absolutely made up that you played all his favourite songs – he’s been talking about it none stop. I’ll be giving you a shout when it’s my turn in a few years!”
– Kirsty Spencer, 12 August 2018, birthday party in Manchester Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“Wow, you guys were AMAZING! Everyone at the ball thought you were brill and said it was like being at a real gig. Sex on Fire (thanks for playing it twice) and the dance-off were a real highlight. A few of my friends are getting married next year so I’ll give them your number. Thanks so much for a brilliant night!”
– Jo Cripps, 19 July 2018, university ball in London Verified booking on FixTheMusic
“Hi James, we’re just back from our honeymoon and thought we’d send you a quick email to say how much we enjoyed the band. You played a massive part in making our special day. Thanks so much for being so helpful in the lead-up and for being so flexible on the day!”
– Sam and Steve Martin, 3 June 2018, wedding reception in Essex Verified booking on FixTheMusic
Abc – Take On Me
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Arctic Monkeys – I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor
Bryan Adams – Summer Of 69
Bryan Adams – Run To You
Bryan Adams/mel C – When You’re Gone
James Bay – Hold Back The River
The Beatles - Twist And Shout
The Beatles- Saw Her Standing There
The Beatles – She Loves You
The Beatles – Hey Jude
Chuck Berry - Jonny B Goode
David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
David Bowie - Starman
Blink 182 - All The Small Things
Blur – Girls And Boys
Blur - Parklife
Blur - Song 2
Blur – Tender (oh My Baby)
Bon Jovi - Livin On A Prayer
James Brown - I Feel Good
Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go (stranger Things)
Coldplay – Yellow
The Contours – Do You Love Me?
Daft Punk – Get Lucky
The Darkness – I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Deep Blue Something – Breakfast At Tiffany’s
Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin’ (without Love)
Erasure/wheatus – A Little Respect
George Ezra - Budapest
Feeder – Buck Rogers (cd Player Player Player)
Florence And The Machine/the Source/candi Staton – You Got The Love
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Foo Fighters – Learn To Fly
Foo Fighters – Hero
Foo Fighters – Best Of You
Foo Fighters – Walking After You
4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?
Aretha Franklin – Respect
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger
Free – Alright Now
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O Mine
Michael Jackson - Black Or White
The Jam – Town Called Malice
Jet – Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Katrina And The Waves – Walking On Sunshine
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
The Killers - Mr Brightside
The Killers – All These Things That I’ve Done
Ben E King - Stand By Me
Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
Kings Of Leon – Use Somebody
Kings Of Leon - Molly's Chamber
Kings Of Leon – Talahina Sky
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing
Led Zeppelin - Rock And Roll
Kenny Loggins - Footloose
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
Manic Street Preachers - Design For Life
The Monkees - I'm A Believer
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
Oasis – Wonderwall
Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger
Oasis – Live Forever
Oasis – She’s Electric
Oasis – Champagne Supernova
Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al
Pharell – Happy
The Police – Message In A Bottle
Pulp - Common People
Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name
Razorlight – In The Morning
Razorlight – Golden Touch
Razorlight - America
Reef - Place Your Hands
The Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You (friends Theme)
The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mamma
Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
Stealers' Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You
Stereophonics – Dakota
Rod Stewart – Maggie May
Joss Stone - Super Duper Love
The Strokes - Last Nite
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance
Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag
The Who - My Generation
Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
Robbie Williams – Angels
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke