Live Music: How to Make Your Summer Party the Best

Updated: 28 Apr 2024

Summer is the ideal season to indulge in outdoor adventures, soak up the sun, and relish some live music. While most people prefer to travel during summer, there are around 15% of individuals who choose to stay local.

If you belong to that 15%, it’s time to gear up for an exhilarating summer by planning events and activities in your hometown. With 93 days of sunshine and entertainment, plan a party featuring live music entertainment that will leave everyone in your social circle talking for months.

Whether you’re planning a pool party, BBQ party, or any other fun event, live music is the perfect addition to your summer plans. Discover some of the best live music options and determine which one is ideal for your summer extravaganza. Read on to find out more!

Party Bands

Are you looking to keep your guests dancing all night long with live entertainment? Look no further than booking a party band! These musicians are experts at getting the party started and are perfect for larger events like summer weddings, beach parties, and pool parties.

With a variety of musicians and a range of sizes, party bands are sure to bring the energy to your event. They’ll play a diverse selection of songs from multiple genres, ensuring that everyone has a good time. So if you’re planning a party and looking for live music that will keep your guests on their feet, consider hiring a party band today!

DJs

Looking for a flexible and affordable live music option for your summer event? Consider hiring a DJ! These skilled entertainers have the ability to play any music you desire, making them the perfect choice for pool parties, house parties, or themed events.

DJs are renowned for their ability to get a party started, making them an excellent choice for summer events. They require minimal equipment and space, which makes them an ideal option for smaller events or those with limited space.

Bring your summer event to the next level with live music from a talented DJ. With their expertise and flexibility, a DJ can help you create an unforgettable party experience that your guests will be talking about for years to come.

Top 40 Bands

Looking for a live music option that combines current hits with the energy of live musicians? Consider hiring a top 40 band for your summer events! Top 40 bands consist of a group of talented musicians who perform popular covers, including current chart-toppers and classics from different eras and genres.

These bands offer flexible entertainment options and will work with you to ensure that the music at your event is exactly what you want. They are perfect for outdoor events such as garden and backyard parties, cocktail hours, summer concert series, and bank holidays, where you want your guests to dance and sing along.

Keep in mind that a top 40 chart band will require more space than other options like a DJ, so make sure to have enough room if you’re hosting your event at a venue. With their high-energy performances and talented musicians, a top 40 band is an excellent choice to elevate the live music experience at your summer events.

Pianists and Pianist Singers

Looking for live music that can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your summer event? Consider hiring a pianist or pianist singer! These talented musicians can provide beautiful background music for a variety of occasions, including summer brunches, soirées, cocktail hours, and dinner parties.

Whether you choose a pianist who is an expert in performing classical music or one who can also sing while playing, their live performance will create a refined atmosphere for your guests to enjoy. With their impressive skills, pianists can play anything from original compositions to acoustic covers of popular songs, turning any tune into a beautiful and sophisticated melody.

If you’re looking for a way to elevate your summer event, hiring a local pianist is the perfect choice! Their stunning performances will set the tone for a relaxed and upscale evening, allowing your guests to chat while enjoying the beautiful live music.

Guitarists and Guitarist Singers

If you’re looking for sophisticated live entertainment but have limited space, hiring a guitarist-singer or guitar player might be the ideal option. They can bring an elegant ambiance to your summer events and need less space to perform than pianists.

Guitarists are perfect for intimate cocktail hours, smaller dinner parties, moonlight soirées, and other similar events. They can perform anything from classical music to popular anthems, and you can even ask them to add some of your favorite current music to their setlist.

Their beautiful instrument brings a unique sound to your party and will make everyone excited about their performance. You can also ask them to surprise you with some original work. So, hire a local guitarist or guitarist-singer to add sophistication and elegance to your summer events with live music.

Saxophonists

Looking for a musician that can add smooth and sensual live music to your summer event? Consider hiring an experienced saxophone player. With their expertise in classical and jazz music, sax players can add a touch of magic to any song, making it the perfect accompaniment for your chill-out themed summer events, cocktail parties, or small weddings.

Due to the instrument’s sophisticated nature, booking a saxophonist is the perfect live music option for night-time events, creating an elegant atmosphere that your guests will love.

Additionally, saxophones are portable instruments, which makes it a great entertainment option if you’re hosting your event in a smaller space, as they won’t require much setup room.

String Quartets

If you are looking to add a touch of class and sophistication to your elegant summer event such as a wedding, brunch, cocktail party, or dinner party, consider hiring a string quartet for live music. A string quartet typically includes two violins, a viola, and a cello, and can play both classical pieces and covers of popular songs.

The harmonious combination of the four instruments creates a unique and enchanting ambiance that is perfect for setting the tone of your event. While string quartets do not usually feature singers, the instruments alone can make any song sound beautiful and charming.

It is important to note that string quartets require more space than solo musicians, so ensure that your venue can accommodate four instrumentalists before booking. With their elegant and soothing sound, a string quartet is an excellent live music option that will elevate the atmosphere of your event.

Steel Bands

Looking for a fun and unique live music option for your summer event? Consider hiring a steel band! These musicians are perfect for outdoor party entertainment, beach events, pool parties, casual get-togethers, 4th of July celebrations, and other similar events.

Steel bands are composed of several musicians who play various steel drums. With their rhythmic style, these performers can create an exciting environment that will get your guests dancing. Many steel bands also have singers, adding an extra dimension to their performance.

Keep in mind that steel bands require a decent amount of space to perform comfortably, so make sure your venue can accommodate them. With their upbeat and lively performance, a steel band is sure to bring a fun and energetic vibe to your summer event.

Tips for Booking Live Music For Your Event

If you’re planning an event and looking for live music, working with a reputable entertainment agency like ACE can help you secure talented and reliable local musicians. But there are other important considerations to keep in mind when booking live music to ensure a smooth and successful experience. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the process. Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Band for an Event!

Set a Budget

To ensure a successful live music event, it’s essential to set a realistic budget before receiving contact from any local musicians. Having a clear idea of how much you can spend will help you find the right band or musician for your event and make the booking process more efficient.

Consider Your Venue

When planning your event with live music, it’s crucial to consider the space required by the musicians. Apart from setting up their instruments, they may also need space to put up their sound systems. Hence, take the venue into account while determining the types of live musicians that would fit best for your summer party.

It’s recommended to check the venue’s rules and regulations, including noise curfews and parking regulations, to ensure that your hired musicians can perform their job without any issues. Even if you are holding the event at your private property, checking for such regulations is essential for a seamless experience. Being aware of all the venue information will make communication with your hired musicians easier, helping you determine if they are a good fit for your event.

Listen to Demos

To make sure you select the right live music for your event, ask potential musicians for demos in the form of recorded audio or video performances. When reviewing the demos, consider the musicians’ style, energy, and repertoire. If you feel like a particular artist’s demo doesn’t match the energy of your event, keep looking until you find the perfect match. Remember, there is a live band or musician out there for every occasion.

Meet With the Musicians

When a local musician reaches out to you, before planning to hire for your event, it’s essential to set up a meeting beforehand. This meeting is the perfect opportunity to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

During the meeting, you should discuss essential details such as:

  • Desired setlist and styles
  • Songs that you want to hear and those you’d rather avoid
  • The theme and vibe of your party
  • The available space and acoustics of the venue
  • Performance time, compensation, and attire

This discussion will help ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of your event. By being on the same page with your chosen musician, you can rest assured that you’ll get the live music experience you envisioned for your party.

Hire the Best Live Music for Your Event

As you’ve learned some fantastic live music options and tips for hiring musicians for your summer party, you’re well-equipped to plan the event of your dreams. No matter if you choose a DJ for your poolside gathering or a string quartet for your intimate summer wedding, this guide has given you the clarity you need to make the right choice.

Ready to hire a musician for your event? Place your request and get a quote from available musicians today!


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