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Function Bands in Durham

Find the perfect function band in Durham

From function rooms at hotels around Durham and Darlington to golf and country clubs near Bishop Auckland, and marquees going up in back gardens across Durham, a function band in Durham plays a much wider range of spaces than a wedding band ever sees. A milestone birthday, an anniversary party or a big family celebration can land almost anywhere — and the band has to work just as well in a marquee on the lawn as it does in a hotel ballroom.

A function band, a covers band, a party band or a live band — different names, same thing. Whatever you call it, you're after a band for a party that plays the songs your guests already know, arranged to fill a dance floor rather than reproduce the record note for note.

Hireaband has been booking live bands for parties and private events since 1999. Every band listed here travels to Durham as standard, brings its own PA and lighting, and sets up and clears away on the night — use the instant quote button on this page to check pricing and availability for your date.

The essentials:

  • Typical cost: £1,200 to £2,400, depending on line-up, date and season
  • Always included: PA system, stage lighting and travel costs, in every quote
  • Line-ups from three-piece to eight-piece, with playlist music between sets
  • Most parties book several months ahead, sooner for a summer Saturday
  • Every booking carries a 14-day change-of-mind refund

Space matters more than guest numbers. A three or four-piece covers band suits most function rooms and a marquee of modest size comfortably — enough to fill a dance floor without overwhelming the room. A bigger marquee or a larger hotel function room carries a six to eight-piece easily, with brass or an extra vocalist adding weight for a bigger crowd. If you tell us the space — hotel room, golf club function suite, marquee at home — we can usually say what has worked there before.

Most parties spend between £1,200 and £2,400. The number of musicians is the biggest factor, followed by the day and the time of year — a weekday date can cost less than a Saturday in summer. PA, lighting and any travel costs are included in the quote you receive, so the figure you're given is the figure you pay.

Every band's page carries video and audio of that exact line-up, so you can see the band in action and hear the musicians who would actually play at your party, rather than a generic demo, alongside their full song list. Underneath are written reviews from people who have already booked them. Between the videos, the set list and the feedback, you can form a clear picture of the night well before you commit.

Use the instant quote button on this page and enter your date and venue to see pricing and availability straight away. Once you've chosen a band, we handle the contract, the deposit and the arrangements, and stay in touch to the day itself. Every booking comes with a 14-day change-of-mind refund, and an emergency contact line is available on the night if anything needs sorting quickly.

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The Tommy Guns

The Ultimate Four Piece Wedding & Party Band Performing Rock & Pop Hits From Across The Generations

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From £2,420

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

UpTones

Powerhouse Female Vocals | Modern & Classics Song List | Amazing Reviews

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From £2200

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Empire

Engaging, energetic and in demand. Empire turn your event up to eleven!

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From £1,500

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Stereo Jack

A musical rollercoaster of Pop, Dance, Garage and DnB hits from the last 30 years, filling the dancefloor with their signature blend of Mashups, Medleys and Remix’s

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From £1,480

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Tommy & Sons

Three or Four Piece Folk Style Covers Band | Roaming or Static Options Available.

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From £2,020

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Tommy & The Big Guns

6 Piece Band | Horn Section | The Tommy Guns' Big Brother

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From £3,070

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras
Working with a budget?

Working with a budget?

We work with acts from £250 - £5,000+! We can certainly help you find the perfect entertainment that fits your style and budget - get in touch to get started.

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Third Wheel

Three Piece Band | Male Vocals | Huge Live Energy

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From £1,140

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

The 365s

Four Piece Band | Male Vocals | Guitar, Keys, Bass, Drums | Smooth As Silk And Know How To Work A Dancefloor

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From £1,685

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Brooklyn

5 Piece Band | Male Vocals | Horn Section

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From £2,165

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Central Park

Four Piece Roaming Band | Wedding or Corporate Events | Perfect Addition To Any Event

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From £1,550

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

The Chosen Few

4 Piece | Male Vocals | A supremely talented band seamlessly covering all genres

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From £1,555

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

The Voltaires

Male Vocals | 3 Piece Line-up | Pop & Rock From All Generations

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From £1,250

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

The Wanderers

Mumford Folk Meets Pop & Rock. Available Static or Roaming.

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From £2,160

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras
Working with a budget?

Working with a budget?

We work with acts from £250 - £5,000+! We can certainly help you find the perfect entertainment that fits your style and budget - get in touch to get started.

Get in Touch

The Martinis

Wedding & Function Bands Don't Come Better Than This. All Genres, Male & Female Vocals, They Have It All.

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From £2,200

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Brando

Brando tick all the boxes...and then some! A live music phenomenon, this wedding and function band is a must have.

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From £3,600

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Garden Party

Fresh, Stylish & Truly Awesome. Garden Party Are A Party Band Of The Very Highest Standard.

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From £3,995

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Hackney Hoedown

For All Your Hoedown, Barn Dance & Ceilidh Needs, Look No Further Than This London Based Act

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From £1,980

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Las Vegas Vinyl Club

Cool & contemporary, experienced & versatile, the only band you'll ever need at a price you won't believe.

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From £1,370

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

FAQs

Nothing in the band itself; the difference is the occasion. The same acts that play weddings play parties, and the set list is built the same way — a strong mix of songs that fills a dance floor.
Yes, this is one of the most common bookings — same process, same instant quote, same PA and lighting included.
Yes, a marquee in a garden is one of the most common Function Bands settings, and the same band can just as easily play a hotel function room the next weekend.
Mainly power and space — a band will usually ask what's available before the day so the line-up and setup fit comfortably.
Typically £1,200 to £2,400, depending mainly on line-up size and the date — PA, lighting and travel are always included in the quote.
Most parties book several months ahead, sooner for a summer Saturday when dates go quickly.

Reviews

(5)

“An amazing band. Super professional, high end singers. Crowd was on the dance floor throughout the night. Will definitely use and recommend Dynamite party band.”

(5)

“Booked this band for my 30th birthday party. I was given an extensive set list to choose my requests from. I just said do what you want as long as I can dance, and dance I did all night. Great band, shall definitely book them again.”

(5)

“If you are considering adding Wow factor to a party then look no further than the amazing Jay who is a Frank Sinatra impersonator with class, style and panache. My daughter's 21st birthday was the most special event because of his engaging, professional and warm presence. Hireaband made it simple to organize the event and I recommend that you don't hesitate to book Jay now.”

(5)

“We had such a brilliant time last night and the band completely hit the spot. The lounge music during dinner set the mood perfectly, and the party afterwards was amazing! it was great to see so many people dancing – even the older ones! The only sadness was having to bring it all to an end! We’ll definitely be hiring you again next year!”

(5)

“All thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. Stewart made the party go with a bang and feedback from guests was excellent. Personally it made my 70th party memorable. Thank you .”

(5)

“The Rivers were a great band. They had the dance floor full all night long and really got into the spirit of our Apres Ski party. I would definitely recommend them to anyone.”

Local Venues in Durham

Hardwick Hall Hotel

Hardwick Hall Hotel

A country house hotel in Hardwick Park at Sedgefield, with lakeside lawns, a flower-filled chapel and an estate whose story runs back to 1183.

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Dalton Old Pump House

Dalton Old Pump House

A Grade II* listed Victorian pump house near Seaham where you dine among the original engine works, with a rose-planted terrace just outside the door.

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Beamish Hall Hotel

Beamish Hall Hotel

A Grade II* listed country house in 24 acres of Durham parkland, with ceremonies among the trees, a Winter Gardens marquee and 44 rooms upstairs.

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Ramside Hall Hotel

Ramside Hall Hotel

A 350-acre estate on the edge of Durham with a crystal-chandeliered ballroom, treehouses in the grounds and 127 bedrooms for the stragglers.

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Black Horse Beamish

Black Horse Beamish

A restored 300-year-old inn on 37 acres at Beamish, with lavender fields, long valley views and one of the few permanent marquees in the North East.

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Bradbury Glade

Bradbury Glade

Giant linked tipis in a 60-acre wood near Sedgefield, with a small ceremony barn among the trees and firepits burning inside once the light goes.

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Durham Castle

Durham Castle

Dinner in a Norman great hall of 1284, with the cathedral just across Palace Green and the whole castle given over to a single wedding a day.

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South Causey Inn

South Causey Inn

A family-run inn above the Beamish valley with four separate wedding venues, a beamed old barn and views running straight down the valley below.

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Lumley Castle

Lumley Castle

A 14th-century castle above the River Wear at Chester-le-Street, with 630 years of history, a medieval Barons Hall and nine acres of parkland.

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