contact enquiry list

Manchester bands for hire

Our experts have gathered together the best party bands in Manchester, Bolton and the North West. From rock and pop cover bands to jazz, swing and ceilidh bands for hire.

Excellent

5 stars

1008 reviews on

Trustpilot

To check availability, please add your event date to the menu above.

Filter by genre or vocal type

×

Filter by genre

Filter by vocal type

Play 'video'
from£1,180

Agent Smith

  • 4-6
  • (273)

Exceptional party and wedding band playing everything from vintage 1950s rock’n’roll to cutting edge pop, indie and R&B. High profile clients include BT, Mini Cooper and Microsoft.

Play 'video'
from£1,995

Downtown Underground

  • 6-7
  • (143)

World-class pop, funk and soul function band, refreshing and recreating the classic soul sounds of the 60s, 70s and 80s, alongside soul-infused contemporary pop and R&B.

Play 'video'
from£1,275

Century

  • 4-5
  • (67)

With joint female and male lead vocals and a backing band of unrivalled funkmeisters, Century put on a fun, rip-roaring show that your guests will never forget.

Play 'video'
from£1,815

Manhattan

  • 5-10
  • (107)

Dynamic Motown, pop and soul band with stunning female and male lead vocals, impressive industry credentials and a playlist of soulful floor-fillers by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.

Play 'video'
from£995

Skylight

  • 3
  • (125)

Powerful party and wedding band, ready to get your party rocking! The band have a diverse songlist which will surprise, delight and keep your guests dancing and singing along.

Play 'video'
from£1,485

Level Up

  • 4-5
  • (68)

Fresh and full of energy, this band combines timeless soulful hits with today’s biggest chart-toppers for the ultimate live music experience.

Play 'video'
from£995

The Aviators

  • 3-4
  • (66)

With a repertoire spanning six decades, this dynamic party band sings everything from Fleetwood Mac to Daft Punk, promising a hassle-free, all-inclusive celebration with top-notch PA and lighting.

Play 'video'
from£1,225

The Different Lights

  • 4
  • (131)

Outstanding wedding band playing chart, indie, rock anthems and Britpop and featuring guitars, keyboards and vocal harmonies for a big, versatile sound!

Play 'video'
from£1,230

The Suit Ups

  • 5-6
  • (54)

Energetic and experienced five-piece covering pop, rock, soul, and Motown hits from the 60s to today to keep the dance floor packed all night long.

Play 'video'
from£1,185

The Vendettas

  • 4-5
  • (79)

Exciting female-fronted wedding band playing the biggest party hits, from modern pop, 80s and 90s, disco/funk to rock, Motown and soul. The band have performed at Glastonbury and Edinburgh festival.

Play 'video'
from£980

The Alternatives

  • 4
  • (54)

Guitar-led wedding and party band playing infectious renditions of all your favourite party hits, The Alternatives will have you singing along until closing time!

Play 'video'
from£1,485

The Flavours

  • 4-8
  • (39)

The Flavours energise any event with chart-topping hits, soulful classics, and good time vibes, offering acoustic sets, DJ services, and a personalised playlist to keep the party going!

Play 'video'
from£2,400

Drum n Brass

  • 5-10
  • (59)

Performing hi-octane brass arrangements of floor-fillers by Daft Punk, Queen, Beyonce and more, Drum 'n' Brass are a fresh alternative to traditional cover bands. Male vocals optional.

Play 'video'
from£970

The Flow

  • 3-4
  • (45)

Vibrant and fun, this band cranks up the energy with pop, indie, and rock hits by The Killers, Oasis, Tina Turner, and more, turning every event into a high-energy celebration.

Play 'video'
from£1,350

Mastersound

  • 4-7
  • (85)

Danceable, piano-led pop and soul band from the West Midlands, with both female and male lead vocals and a song list of danceable rock, soul and pop anthems from Chuck Berry to Adele.

Play 'video'
from£1,270

The Sonics

  • 4
  • (73)

Phenomenally popular party & wedding band in the North West, featuring outstanding male vocals, guitar synth and a large set list of danceable rock, soul, reggae and pop music, from The Beatles to The Weeknd.

Play 'video'
from£1,160

Kickstart

  • 3-4
  • (59)

Breathtaking vocals, lush harmonies and an explosive rhythm section – this West Midlands wedding party band play a wide selection of soul, disco, rock’n’roll and the latest indie to keep you dancing until the wee hours! DJ service available.

Play 'video'
from£1,825

Dr Funtimes

  • 6
  • (46)

Dr Funtimes mix the perfect amount of on-stage silliness with the highest levels of talent and professionalism! Expect party anthems from artists as diverse Michael Jackson, The Proclaimers, Kool & The Gang and The Weekend.

Play 'video'
from£995

Hudson

  • 3
  • (169)

One of our leading wedding bands in the North West, Hudson are a powerful trio playing everything from uptempo 50s rock'n'roll to last week's number 1.

Play 'video'
from£890

Banzai

  • 3-6
  • (67)

Energetic party band playing crowd-rousing anthems by Huey Lewis, The Killers, Oasis, Lady Gaga, The Weekend and more!


The easy way to hire live bands in Manchester

  • The very best live bands in Manchester
  • Function bands, cover bands, jazz bands and more
  • Expert band hire advice, support and booking tips
  • Fast customer service and an easy booking process
  • 24/7 emergency band replacement and cover

Guide to booking party bands in Manchester

Why should I hire a live Manchester party band for my event?

Hiring a live Manchester party band brings high‑energy, crowd‑pleasing live music to your event that DJs and playlists simply can’t match, creating an unforgettable atmosphere rooted in Manchester’s rich musical heritage.

If you’re planning a wedding reception, hire a Manchester wedding band to play the very best, floor-filling covers from the last 60 years. They can play everything from The Beatles to the Bruno Mars, so they’re guaranteed to have something for everyone.

What music styles do your Manchester party bands perform?

Our Manchester party bands perform a wide range of live music styles — from pop, rock and indie to soul, Motown and chart‑topping dance hits — so there’s something to suit every event and keep your guests on the dance floor.

Whether you’re planning a high-end corporate gala or a raucous rock’n’roll band for a teenage birthday party, we have the Manchester band for you. And you can be sure that the dancing won’t stop between sets: our bands offer a DJ service which is much cheaper than hiring a separate DJ – and some bands even provide it for nothing.

Whatever your budget, you can be sure that we’ll only supply you with the most talented, reliable party bands available – all our bands have been hand picked by our experts, so whatever you choose, you’ll get a wonderful show!

Can I request specific songs from a Manchester party band?

Yes, when you hire a Manchester party band you can usually request specific songs from their repertoire or ask them to tailor part of their setlist to suit your favourite music.

While bands will do their very best to accommodate any requests that aren’t part of their current repertoire, it won’t always be possible.

Each of the songs on your band’s song list has been tried and tested. Trust us, your band knows what to play and when, to keep guests dancing all night long with epic floor fillers

How long do your Manchester party bands play for?

When you hire a Manchester party band, they’ll typically perform around two hours of live music — most often split into two 60‑minute sets or sometimes three 40‑minute sets with breaks — keeping your event lively and energetic.

How can we save money on our Manchester party band?

You can save money when booking a Manchester party band by choosing locally based bands, selecting off‑peak event dates, and making the most of package options like live music plus DJ service instead of hiring multiple entertainers:

  • Before you book more musicians for afternoon background music, check whether members of your band can provide this – it'll save you additional costs, such as travel.
  • If you haven't yet set your event date, consider booking a midweek or winter date to take advantage of the most competitive rates.
  • Always consider hiring a band from your local area, to save on travel and accommodation costs. We have bands based in most major towns and cities across the UK.

Check out our other top ways to save money on your wedding band

What happens if a band member is ill or unable to make it on the day?

If a member of your Manchester party band falls ill or can’t make your event, we’ll arrange a professional replacement act or musician so your live entertainment still goes ahead as planned.

At Function Central we offer out of hours customer service, ensuring that any emergencies are swiftly taken care of.

Are Manchester party bands fully insured and using PAT tested equipment?

Yes, all Manchester bands for hire are fully insured and have PAT-tested equipment. 

Do you offer other music genres like ceilidh, jazz, or acoustic bands in Manchester?

Yes, in addition to party bands, we also offer other live music genres in Manchester, including jazz bandsceilidh bands, acoustic musicians and more to suit every part of your event.

Can you provide Manchester background musicians or additional performers?

Yes, we can provide Manchester background musicians and additional performers for hire, including string quartets, guitarists, pianists and other live acts to suit your ceremony, drinks reception or daytime event.

For a wedding ceremony, you could hire one of our Manchester string quartets.

For the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail party and drinks receptions, we have Manchester-based guitarists and pianists.

Or for a summer garden party or outdoor event, our steel bands and Dixieland jazz bands in Manchester are much in-demand!

Where do your Manchester bands tend to perform?

Manchester party bands perform at a huge range of popular event venues across the city and surrounding towns — from elegant hotels and historic halls to trendy function spaces and large event venues — so you can hire live music wherever you’re celebrating.

Whether you have invited guests to Worsley Park, King Street Townhouse, Great John Street, The Castlefield Rooms, The Lowry, Albert's Restaurant & Bar or Didsbury House Hotel, our bands are ready to help you party well into the night. 

Our Manchester bands have played at events throughout the city, including Bolton, Sale, Rochdale, Stockport, Salford, Wigan, Oldham, Bury, Atherton, Altrincham, Trafford, Piccadilly, Hulme Rochdale, Glossop, Cheadle and Eccles.

You can hire a Manchester party band to perform anywhere in the UK wide and internationally.

Check out some of our favourite Manchester venues to perform at. 

Do Manchester party bands provide their own sound and lighting equipment?

Most Manchester party bands provide their own professional sound and lighting equipment when you hire them, including PA systems, microphones and stage lights, so you won’t usually need to worry about supplying gear for your event.

If you think your event will exceed 250 guests it’s worth getting in touch, as extra equipment might then be necessary.

You just need to make sure that the band has a power source to plug in to and a space to perform!

We recommend a flat and sheltered stage area of at least 3x3 meters for a 3-piece band – then add an extra metre squared per band member that you have booked.

A raised stage is preferable for maximum impact, but our bands are flexible to all kinds of set ups!

What happens during the band’s breaks at my event?

During a Manchester party band’s breaks, guests will still enjoy music — the band usually plays a recorded playlist or DJ-style set through their PA system so the atmosphere and dancing continue seamlessly. They can play their own playlist, or you can send your party song playlist for them to play, in advance.


Find local cover bands in Manchester and UK wide

Function Central is a leading covers band hire agency. We provide exceptional talent for private events, both in Manchester, throughout the UK and internationally. Hire a local band to save on costs – we have bands based in most major UK towns and counties.

Back to top