The Merry-Makers Steel Band (Acoustic)

  • from £270 in London Help
  • from £295 in South East
  • from £295 in East of England
  • from £295 in East Midlands
  • from £295 in West Midlands
  • from £295 in North West
  • from £320 in South West
  • from £320 in Yorkshire & Humberside
  • from £335 in Wales
  • from £370 in North East
  • from £POA in Scotland

Acoustic Caribbean steel pan band available as a soloist, duo or trio. Ideal for cool background music at wedding receptions, garden parties, ceremonies and other events.

The Merry-Makers acoustic steel band play exquisite Caribbean steel pan music guaranteed to transport one to the most idyllic tropical beach scenario where blue/green seas, sunshine and swaying palm trees are guaranteed! With a repertoire incorporating soca, calypso, some latin, Zouk and reggae (a la Bob Marley, Eddie Grant, UB40, Desmond Decker etc) plus a large selection of Caribbean standards, the acoustic line-ups play non-intrusive background music. Choose between a soloist, duo or trio. These line-ups can be supplemented with either male vocals and/or a drum machine for an extra charge.

For evening events where dancing, singing and limbo is a must, the band can expand to incorporate other instruments including bass, drums and vocals. See The Merry-Makers Electric Steel Band for more details.

Workshops

The band are also available for workshops in varying line-ups and for all age groups, and sessions would include:

  • Steelpan - learning and playing. 
  • Evolution of the steeldrum - discussions on the origins of this highly unique instrument, its role in carnival and its position as a catalyst for social change. 
  • Films of Trinidad carnival plus discussions on its origins and development
  • Discussions on the origins of the Rastafari movement, and its position in Caribbean music and culture. Rastafari drumming is one of the most captivating and exotic percussive styles in the Caribbean.
  • Live Music with Trinidadian Calypsonians, Jamaican Folk singers, Jing Ping music from Dominica, plus Indo-Caribbean music from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana (see and hear the rich variey of cultural styles in the Caribbean)

Performance information

Line-up Soloist, duo or trio
Performance duration 2 x 1 hour or 3 x 40 minute sets
Performance area required 6ft wide x 6ft deep for soloist
Recorded music provided between sets Not without PA add-on
Set-up/sound-check duration 20 minutes
Lighting No
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) Yes
PAT certificate Yes

Booking options

Duo (acoustic line-up with two steel pan players) Add approx £170
Trio (acoustic line-up with three steel pan players) Add approx £340

What people say

  • It is with pleasure that I write the following testimonial regarding the wonderful music played at my Parents Anniversary Party . A good time was had by all. The trio was wonderful, the music was great, he was an all round entertainer and was very good with the children, who were fascinated with the Steel pans which some had never heard before close up, they and the adults thought it was just great! I would highly recommend him to complement any event he was both professional and 'fun' just what any good party needs, and the music was first class, Highly recommended. Your agency was excellent, efficient and friendly and I would also recommend Function Central to other people and have already done so with pleasure.

    Mary, Anniversary Party, London, April 2010

  • Thank you so much, The Merry Makers Duo were a great success at the party. They arrived early to set up and played great music for our guests. I think the boys enjoyed the party and kept everyone entertained.

    Ingrid, Wedding, Bucks, April 2010

  • Hell Runner is one of the UK's most distinctive off-road running events and as the organiser I was seeking to add a little something extra in terms of the whole atmosphere and experience. The Merry-Makers Trio were absolutely perfect! Embracing their most unusual outdoor setting for a performance (deep in the forest) they provided a compelling and 'cool' sound that put smiles on the runners' and spectators faces alike. Trail running won't be the same again thanks to The Merry-Makers Trio.

    Paul, Corporate Event, Derbyshire, November 2009

  • We absolutely LOVED The Merry-Makers, they set such a wonderful mood for our wedding day! It was great to arrive at the marquee on a blustery, chilly autumn day and for it to be filled with such a beautiful sound and energy. All of our guests commented that they were charming, talented and wonderful and added a perfect twist to the otherwise traditional countryside wedding, (even my normally rather serious grandfather raised a smile!) We would definitely hire them again and every time I hear steel pan music now it takes me back to the day. Thank you so much.

    Jessica, Wedding, Surrey, October 2009

  • Dear Mike and Alastair, Thank you so much for sorting The Merry-Makers Steel Band for my party. Marvin and Trevor were fantastic and their music was much admired. Created a fantastic atmosphere and were so friendly. Really pleased that they were part of my celebration.

    Liz, 40th Birthday party, London, October 2009

  • Hi Mike, Please can you pass on our thanks to the band for a great night, everyone thoroughly enjoyed them and the music. will recommend to anyone.

    Heather, Silver Wedding Anniversary, Yorkshire, September 2009

  • They were just the most perfect sound to have playing live on a Balmy Summer’s evening at our Shopping Centre by the Sea. Hopefully we will be in touch again next summer.

    Gill, Corporate Event, East Sussex, August 2009

  • We booked The Merry-Makers Steel Band Duo for our wedding day and they were amazing! The music was superb and they completely set the mood on our big day! Function Central were efficient and helpful every step of the way with the booking and I can highly recommend them.

    Kate, Wedding, Kent, July 2009

  • I have no hesitation in recommending the The Merry-Makers Steel Band Solo Pannist who played at a party I gave in June 2009. All the guests were delighted with the music and being lovely weather, it was the perfect accompaniment. I have already recommended him to a friend locally who used him for a lunch party, which I gather was also a success. One person said if they had not known it was Hampshire they would have thought they were in the Caribbean!

    As I only decided to do something at the last moment I was very pleased with the way Function Central processed the assignment so quickly.

    Mrs C. Russell, Garden Party, Hampshire, June 2009

  • The The Merry-Makers Steel Band duo played for us at our Caribbean themed event this summer (2009). The music really lifted the spirits of everyone there and so many people commented on what a great idea having a steel band was.

    The band created a happy, lively, carnival atmosphere that had people getting up to dance. Everyone enjoyed the music, it was so good we even had a few people wander off the street just to listen! They were really helpful before hand and everything went perfectly on the day. Thank you!

    Michelle, Themed Event, Nottinghamshire, June 2009

  • This is on behalf of all my colleagues, a massive thanks for coming and performing at our Health and Lifestyle Event yesterday. Every bit of feedback we have had so far has been positive and your performance especially, has created lasting memories for our staff. We’ll definitely be in touch with you again for any future events, as we want to hear more of your fabulous sounds. Thanks again.

    Lorraine , Corporate Event, September 2008

  • The Merry-Makers Steel Band played the opener to a music filled extravaganza and went down a storm! You really managed to get everyone in the Caribbean mood and got the party off to a great start. I got the guys to play quite a laid back set as it was a lunchtime gig - was very relaxed and informal and all the guests loved it. I can only imagine what great fun these guys are when they are the headliners of a more 'up-tempo' performance. Will definitely hire again and highly recommend. Many thanks.

    Kate , Corporate Event, September 2007

  • Mike I just had to email you and let you know what a great time the youngsters had with The Merry-Makers Steel Band and they had the children inspired I would like to send him a dvd of the concert we did on the Sat 11th August can you tell me where to send it and thank the boys again I will want to book them for one of my other schools too.

    Pat , Performing Arts Summer School, Luton, August 2007

  • Thank you so much guys. You all were dread and shoulders above the rest!

    The Big Bang Ball organizer, London, July 2007

  • The event was extremely successful, and that was due to people such as yourselves running such brilliant sessions.

    The Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon, Charity event, London, June 2007

Repertoire

  • Sample list
  • Brazil
  • Never on Sunday/Something Stupid
  • Montego Bay
  • Girl from Ipanema
  • Quando Quando
  • Begin the Beguine
  • Hello
  • Soul Limbo
  • Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl in the Ring/Ob La Di/The Calender Song
  • No Woman no Cry
  • Pass the Duchy
  • La Bamba
  • Mas Que Nada
  • In the Summertime
  • Smooth Operator
  • Touch (La La song)/Red Red Wine
  • Feeling Hot Hot Hot
  • Banana Boat Song
  • Ay Cosita Linda Mama/Chongolo Anna/Suku Suku
  • El Cumbanchero
  • Caribbean Queen
  • Limbo Rock
  • I Shot the Sheriff/One Love/Three Little Birds
  • Jamaica Farewell/Yellow Bird/Linstead Market/Island in the Sun