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Browse Acts

Wedding & function bands

Wedding bands Party bands Soul & Motown bands Rock & pop bands Premium bands Brass bands

Jazz, folk & world music

Jazz & swing bands Steel bands Ceilidh & folk bands Latin, salsa & world music Mariachi bands

Soloists & duos

Guitarists Harpists Pianists Saxophonists Acoustic duos & bands DJs

Singers & choirs

Wedding singers Singer guitarists Vocal groups & choirs Rat Pack singers Singing waiters

Classical music

String quartets Harpists Classical musicians Classical guitarists Wedding ceremony musicians

Themed & specialist

Tribute acts Wandering bands & musicians Brass bands Sound limiter-friendly bands Festival style bands Postmodern Jukebox style bands Unusual & alternative bands

Tribute bands by era

1920s & Gatsby bands 1930s & gypsy jazz bands 1940s & wartime bands 1950s & rock'n'roll bands 1960s & Beatles bands 1970s & disco bands 1980s tribute bands

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Latest news

Read the latest news... plus we report back from the biggest events of the year featuring Function Central acts, from Christmas parties, summer balls, conferences and more.

Virtual Gigs, Second Jobs & Mindfulness: How Musicians Are Surviving The Pandemic

By Kat Dadswell & Mike Ausden

With venues closed and most live shows postponed, the UK's gigging musicians have had to adapt and diversify in order to make ends meet.

Musical Spooks – Our Halloween Playlist

Written by Kat Dadswell

Halloween – it's an excuse for nutty dressing up and for gorging on pumpkin pie. More importantly, it's not just skeletons that will be coming out of the closets, but hoards of guilty musical pleasures. Here are ours!

The New Black Studio Gala Dinner

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Rebecca at The New Black Studio created a tropical gala dinner for 650 people at The London Hilton on Park Lane, and chose Upbeat to create a party atmosphere.

Supper Freak Immersive Dining Event

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Party Up are the resident band for Supper Freak, an immersive dining event held at The Bloomsbury Ballroom celebrating classic funk and soul music.

Connect Plus Service's 10th Anniversary Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Cassie chose the unbeatable Party Up to play at the classy London soirée she planned for Connect Plus Service's 10th Anniversary on The River Thames.

The RAC #OrangeHeroes Awards

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Rockit were the band of choice for The RAC's #OrangeHeroes Awards Ceremony at Resorts World Birmingham, and the night really went off with a bang!

The London Book Festival Awards

Posted by Kat Dadswell

The grandeur of The British Library was the backdrop for The London Book Festival Awards to which guitarist Andres G provided elegant accompaniment.

Sky Christmas Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Val hired top-rated soul band Party Up for the second year in a row for the annual Sky Christmas Party at The Gem Bar in London and loved them even more than ever before!

Ian & Lou's 25th Anniversary Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Ian and Lou held a Caribbean themed party to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and chose The Merry-Makers Steel Band to help create the perfect party atmosphere!

GSMA London Office Christmas Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association), held their office Christmas Party at exclusive London venue The Yacht. Rockit helped the staff celebrate into the wee hours!

Richard's 70th Birthday Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Richard celebrated his 70th birthday party at home in Lancashire with friends, family and a vintage bottle of Petrus! One of Function Central's most in-demand guitarists Richard James, played a mixture of background classical, pop and jazz.

Alexander's Bar Mitzvah

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Suzanne Lehrer threw a fun and relaxed party at Cecil Sharp House for son Alexander's Bar Mitzvah. Function Central's very own Hava Tequila played klezmer music and jazz for dancing, conga lines and the traditional chair dance!

Backstage with Midnight Blue Jazz Band aboard The Salient

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Spirits were high aboard the Salient Cruise Boat, as Midnight Blue kept guests enthralled all the way down the River Thames, and even did some impromtu jamming when a guest joined them onstage.

Insider Publishing Insurance Market Conference

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Insider Publishing, a financial publisher, hosted a conference at Merchant Taylor's Hall in London. A networking drinks reception capped off the event, with jazz music provided by London jazz trio Midnight Swing. Kelly Stewart, the events coordinator from Insider Publishing, gave us the low-down.

Karen's 50th Birthday Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Karen hired London party band Rockit to help celebrate her 50th birthday in a marquee in her garden. The theme was "festival fun", with face-painting, funky lighting and magic!

Jamie's 40th Birthday

Posted by Kat Dadswell

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.

Linda & David's Ruby Wedding Anniversary

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Linda and David celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary Party in true golden oldie style, surrounded by all their friends and favourite music. Rat Pack singer Fly Me To The Moon "did it his way" and took guests back to the 1950s with his dulcet tones!

Stanley's Caribbean Baptism Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Michelle and her guests relaxed in true Caribbean style at her son Stanley's baptism party, complete with a bouncy castle and barbeque. The Merry-Maker's Steel Band provided a fantastic duo, who kept all ages thoroughly entertained and chilled-out.

LSBU Radiography Summer Ball

Posted by Kat Dadswell

The London South Bank University radiography students let their hair down at their good-time themed Summer Ball. Pop Rockers The Confidentials worked the crowd and created the perfect party atmosphere!

Simba & Christiana's Engagement Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Vintage singer Marie M entertained guests at Simba and Christiana's engagement party in Greenwich, alongside Zulu Dancers and male models!

9th ECC UK Annual Veterinary Congress

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Our most popular band in the North West Agent Smith brought out the party animal in every guest at the 9th ECC UK Annual Veterinary Congress in The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire!

Stormont School Ball

Posted by Kat Dadswell

One of our most popular 5-piece party bands in the South East, Beat Club, were booked for the Headmistress's leaving party at Stormont School, Potters Bar. They provided an upbeat night of dance floor action with their carefully chosen repertoire of pop and soul tunes.

Gallagher Bassett Christmas Party

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Gallagher Bassett, insurance administrators, hosted their annual Christmas bash at The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London and booked 3-piece party band Blue Suede Shoes to entertain 80 staff members.

Backstage with Downtown Underground at Katie & Mickey's Wedding

Posted by Kat Dadswell

Downtown Underground, our top pop, soul & funk band in the North West, played for Katie & Mickey's wedding last summer at Accrington Town Hall. Harry from the band reports from backstage.

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Read more on our blog

Wedding songs & playlists

Wedding song ideas, from the processional through to the last dance, as well as seasonal and themed playlists.

Advice for musicians

Our advice on setting up a band or solo act, developing promo and getting gigs. Plus, tips for musician on teaching, writing and gear.

Party entertainment advice

Choose music and entertainment for your party or corporate event that your guests will love. Tips on working with your venue, getting the most out of a small budget, and much more!

Wedding entertainment advice

From song ideas to budgeting to supplier recommendations. Everything you need to know to put on the wedding party of the century!

Real weddings

Function Central's wedding clients share the highlights and pictures of their big day with us, give their planning advice, share their supplier tips, pictures and more!

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