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Jamie celebrated his 40th birthday at high altitude with a meal for friends and family at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Shard. He booked London harpist Sioban Marie to provide background music in a variety of styles including Thai and Scottish music.
We chose the Shangri-La because we’re Golden Circle members and already live nearby in Tower Hill, so it felt like the perfect combination of convenience and luxury. We really wanted to make the most of the incredible views the hotel is famous for, and of course, we were excited about the amazing food. The setting alone made the whole experience feel extra special — there’s something about being high above the city, looking out over London, that adds a real sense of occasion. Knowing the quality of the dining and service at Shangri-La, it just felt like the right place to host a memorable meal.
Siobhan’s varied repertoire made each course special and memorable. From the very first note she played, it became clear how much her music would elevate the whole experience. She has a natural ability to read the atmosphere and choose pieces that complement the moment perfectly. Her harp added a beautiful, soothing backdrop that tied the whole evening together and made each dish, each course, feel like part of a carefully curated journey rather than just a meal.
We booked Siobhan because we absolutely love the sound of the harp — it’s elegant, calming, and creates such an intimate atmosphere without ever overpowering conversation. What made the choice even easier was discovering that she could cater her music so thoughtfully to our menu. She was able to perform traditional Thai music during the Thai course, which added a lovely cultural authenticity, and then seamlessly switch to Scottish pieces to accompany the Scottish course. It was such a unique touch and really impressed our guests. It felt as though the music and food were working together in harmony, making the entire dining experience even more immersive.
We were 100% happy with Siobhan. She genuinely exceeded our expectations in every way. Her playing was delicate yet expressive, and she struck the perfect balance between creating atmosphere and allowing the meal to stay the focus. Her versatility and wide-ranging repertoire meant that each part of the evening had its own feel, without any abrupt transitions. She provided exactly the kind of background music we had hoped for — elegant, appropriate, and beautifully performed — and she helped make the event feel polished and thoughtfully arranged.
Booking through Function Central was incredibly easy, which made the whole process stress-free from start to finish. The website was simple to use, the communication was clear, and everything was handled very professionally. It gave us full confidence that the entertainment was in good hands. By the time the event came around, we didn’t have to worry about a thing — everything was exactly as promised. Overall, it was an excellent experience and we wouldn’t hesitate to book through them again.
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