Searching for affordable live performances, whether it's a band or a solo act, can be a challenging task in many aspects, from which platforms to use to how to approach them. Why does the price difference vary so much? Which cities have the best options for cheap live music? How can Gigstarter help? Say no more, this article will answer some frequently asked questions and highlight artists from Edinburgh to Cardiff who offer low prices but have a beautiful sound and a lot of talent!
How To Book Cheap Live Music?
Gigstarter is the live music ecosystem, which helps bookers to find local musicians for almost any type of event. We aim to connect artists and bookers directly, with no hidden fees in-between and empower independent musicians. Throughout the years we have developed an easy-to-use tool to help you find the best match no matter the budget. A booking can be made in the 5 simple steps presented below or even quicker in the second option with only 4 steps.
Option 1: Discover and Book an Artist All By Yourself
Step 1: First things first, head over to Gigstarter.
Step 2: If you would like to browse yourself through the database of artists, click on the search button and start off your journey.
Step 3: In the search engine you can select the genre, location and the budget. In case you want to see only bands, ensembles or solos, proceed to choosing the formation of your preference. Our database includes artists, who are willing to perform for less than 50 pounds!
Step 4: On the profiles of the artists you can get an impression of how they perform live by watching their video and listening to their audio tracks to get an idea of what kind of music they play.
Step 5: Found the artist of your dreams? Click on the "Check Availability" button. Through this function, you are now able to communicate directly with the performer without any obligations.
Option 2: Let The Gigstarter Team Help You To Book an Affordable Artist
Step 1: Gigstarter provides the feature of placing a call, where our team in combination with technologies will create a list of matching artists. There's two types of calls: the speedy call (which costs only 9£) and the normal free call. You can read more about the differences later in this article.
Step 2: You will have to fill in the details of the event such as location, date, number of guests, preferred genre, occasion etc. Once you filled in everything, your form can be submitted!
Step 3: You work here is almost done! As soon as the selected artists will indicate their availability, you will receive a notification via email with a link that will lead you to a private Gigstarter chat with the artist.
Step 4: The only thing left to do is to communicate with the musician about additional information and accept the confirmation for the booking or create the confirmation yourself. This feature is extremely important as it notifies us that the booking is complete and after the event each booker will have an opportunity to leave review for the artist. Which helps them again to rank higher in our search engine and get more exposure for future bookings.
From Electronic DJs to church choirs, at Gigstarter you find it all!
Speedy Call - New Feature on Gigstarter!
With the growing number of artists and bookers on our platform, we have started to look into how to improve the match-making system as well as involving new generations of AI in it. The possibility to use advanced technologies opened the door for the team to create a more personal experience for the booker, offering hand-picked selections on top of what our system has to offer. Whether you're looking into a last minute booking, want to have additional support or have full access to not only PRO artists, but the entire database, the speedy call is the perfect tool for you!
The name references to the main focus of what this improved feature has to offer: speed! Due to its immediate processing and larger amount of options due to inclusivity of all musicians available in your region, you will have a list of artists fit for your event within just a couple minutes. The free call version takes up to 36 hours to process and doesn't provide additional support and handpicked selection by the team.
This manual way of inviting artist by one of our employees plays an important role in the feature as well. No matter how advanced technologies are nowadays, specific requests such as certain vibes, moods or themes of the party are truly understood by our experienced team who has been working with our artists for the past ten years. Which is why if you have a very specific and unique request, the speedy call might be a surprisingly great option for you! Less hassle, more music.
Gigstarter's latest addition to the platform: the speedy call
Top 5 Affordable and Talented Artists on Gigstarter UK
Below you will find a diverse selection of our musicians, handpicked by us from various formations and genres, offering you a glimpse into the more affordable options that we have available on our platform.
Alex & Lydia (West Wickham)
Alex and Lydia are a professional pop/jazz duo based in Kent, celebrated for their charm and exceptional talent. With five years of experience, they have entertained crowds at London's New Year's Day Parade, appeared on E4, and performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Lydia holds an ALCM diploma in Musical Theatre Singing and Teaching from the London College of Music, while Alex is completing his studies specialising in performing arts. They provide all necessary equipment, ensuring a seamless experience with backing tracks that keep their services affordable.
Alex and Lidia cover of "Budapest"
The Machete (Portsmouth)
Innovative, explosive, and highly entertaining, The Machete creates instrumental music with supercharged mix of global influences such as pop, folk, latin, reggae, and more, delivered with a high-energy approach that captivates audiences worldwide. Initially formed by two non-singing musicians out of necessity, the current lineup features rhythm guitarist Matt Hallett, lead guitarist Dominic Vermeulen-Smith, bassist John Deacon, and drummer Sam Brawn, collectively becoming a force of nature. Known for inspiring enthusiastic dancing wherever they perform, The Machete promises an unforgettable musical experience. The band has already secured five bookings via our platform with no minimum price! Be the next person to contact them.
The Machete Promo video
Hometown Harmonies (Birmingham)
Hometown Harmonies have a warmth to their sound and a sense of joyousness to their performance, the guests are guaranteed to love it. Influenced by pop, soul, and country music, this duo performs songs from all eras, genres, and artists, including Fleetwood Mac, Tracy Chapman, Harry Styles, Dolly Parton, and Billie Eilish, to name just a few. With all the wonderful live sessions available on their YouTube channel, this talented ensemble offer acoustic set of 2 hours for only 230£. With the summer in full swing, it is a shame not to organize a lovely garden party with Hometown Harmonies as the center of attention with the guitar ballads
Acoustic summer cover
Daddy Slaggy (Glasgow)
Multi-award-winning Daddy Slaggy has a reggae dancehall and afrobeat flavour, nurtured by the 90s entertainment industry. Influenced by famous acts such as Koffee, Chronixx, Shaggy, Magic, Damian Marley, and Fuse ODG, the band has worked with Neville Barnett and became a Britain's Got Talent 2018 finalist. Now based in Glasgow, the leader of the band is fully ready to deliver a well-polished set of originals and covers for your full enjoyment, with prices starting at £150. One of the reviews on our platform also mentions the band's ability to customize some tunes to match the theme of an event, fit for every atmopshere we'd say!
Concert of the reggae band
NOTA (Midsomer Norton)
Last but not least, let us introduce you to the rock cover band NOTA. This formation brings the best rock hits from the 60s to the present day, showcasing one of the most successful music eras in history. With their own sound and lighting equipment, the band can accommodate parties, weddings, corporate events, and any other occasions, both small and large, with prices starting at just £250. The band consists of five talented members who specialize in britpop, rock, and hard rock, and are full of uncontainable energy to light up your event.
Video highlighting multiple performances of NOTA
What to Keep in Mind When You Book An Artist
Before we close off this guide, understanding the factors that influence the cost of hiring musicians can help you not only plan your event more effectively and ensure you get the best value for your investment. It can also give a sneak peek into how the music business works in general. These elements can include the musicians' level of experience, their popularity, the type and size of the event, and even the time of year. Today, we will mention the top three considerations and explain why expensive does not necessarily mean higher quality when it comes to art and creativity.
1. Event type and size
The essence and scale of your event plays a significant role in determining the cost of hiring any musician. Private parties, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and small gatherings, often have a more casual and intimate atmosphere where guests interact closely with the performers and where acoustic sound will be more than enough to fill the room with a smooth sound. Corporate events and other established venues, on the other hand, require a professional touch to provide the best atmosphere.
Bands and other formations hired for such occasions often ask for higher fees due to the need for a polished repertoire. Weddings also are part of the more expensive range since in most cases the track list is created personally for the bride and groom. Keep in mind not only the size of the events matters! The bigger the formation, the more expensive it could get. Solo artists tend to be cheaper in general than bands, due to all the members needing to get paid for performing.
2. Popularity and demand
Musicians with a larger and more dedicated fanbase often charge more than upcoming artists because they can attract bigger audiences and are recognizable to a majority of people. Their established reputation makes them valuable for public events looking to boost attendance, as well as for private ones where the person celebrating can be a fan themselves or where the artist can be an element of surprise for the guests. Moreover, a band or solo artist who has performed at prestigious events or is recognized globally for achievements tends to propose higher fees as well.
The factor of popularity, however, does not necessarily reflect the quality of the live performance. It may present itself as a safer option if you have specific preferences as an organizer, but even well-established artists can put on bad performances. Carefully consider the idea behind the event, the setting, and the desired mood to make the right decision between upcoming talents and musicians with a following.
3. Genre specialization and location
Last but not least, the genre of the band plays a crucial role into price formations due to several reasons. Firstly, certain genres may require more skills and specialized equipment, which takes extra time to setup and does not fit in for every venue. Secondly, genres like pop, rock, singer-songwriter, and cover bands are among the most frequently requested by Gigstarter bookers and in general. This popularity increases competition in the field, which tends to lower prices accordingly.
At the same time, niche genres such as swing or world music often come with a minimum price tag of £200 per hour. The geographical location of musicians can also significantly affect their pricing. Factors such as travel costs, local market rates, and the cost of living in different areas come into play. By keeping these elements in mind, you can easily understand how the price for any artist is determined and compare it with your budget to find the best possible match according to your wishes!
Book now!
Finding and booking the cheapest musicians in the UK doesn't have to be a daunting task if you know where to look and what factors to consider. Whether you're planning a private party, a corporate event, or a large-scale celebration, our team will be always ready to assist you in navigating through our platform and the call function. Happy booking and remember at Gigstarter we want to keep booking live music as easy and affordable as possible! The full budget will go into the pocket of the artist instead of ours. Empowering the independent artists and live music scene.
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