About Up The Ante – professional wedding band based in Buckinghamshire, available throughout the UK and internationally
15 reviews
Booked 88 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.

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Cripps Barn in Cirencester and The Granary Estates in Newmarket.

Contact Up The Ante

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:

• A fantastic fully live professional 3-piece band
• Up to 2 hours of live music (split into 2 x 60 or 3 x 40 minute sets)
• Quality PA system and stage lighting
• Pre-mixed disco between sets (So the entire evening of music is covered)
• PAT Tested equipment and Public Liability Insurance
• Your choice of first dance or special request performed live

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.

Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...

• Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, Italy
• Monticiano, Siena, Italy
• Altillac, France
• Winters Barns, Nackington Road, Canterbury, UK
• Notley Tythe Barn, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, Aylesbury, UK
• Cripps Barn, Fosscross Lane, Cirencester, UK
• The Granary Estates, Parsonage Farm Lane, Woodditton, Newmarket
• Slaugham Place, Staplefield Road, Haywards Heath, UK
• The Ravenswood, Cinder Hill, Sharpthorne, UK
• South Farm, Fen Road, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Royston, UK
• The Perch, Binsey, Oxford, UK
• Sutton Mawr Farm, Waycock Road, Barry
• Morden Hall Park (National Trust), London, UK
• Huntsham Court, Tiverton, UK
• Cuffley, UK
• Sparsholt, Winchester, UK
• London, UK
• Redditch, UK
• West Sussex, UK

So if you're looking to hire the finest wedding band Buckinghamshire has to offer, get in touch with Up The Ante.

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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.

“Up The Ante kept the party going all night at our wedding! The dance floor was always full and they sounded great, we've had so many comments on how good they were! A great choice and their communication was great throughout, to include a pre-wedding call with James!”
– Jade Snedeker, 9 June 2022, wedding at The Granary Estates, Newmarket, UK
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, 5 February 2022, birthday party in Manchester
Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up The Ante were fantastic playing at our delayed wedding celebrations. They had been very flexible having previously been booked to play on two previous occasions when we had to cancel our wedding due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, and when we at last got to see them in person they did not disappoint. They played two lively sets, which got everyone on the dance floor joining in, and made us look good as we basked in the compliments from guests as to what a good band we had booked, and asking how had we found them!"
– Angharad & Ollie James, 14 December 2021, wedding at Huntsham Court, Tiverton, UK
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, 13 September 2021, 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 Steven Martin, 3 September 2021, wedding reception in Essex
Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"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