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Funk & Soul Bands in Dorset

Book a funk and soul band in Dorset

Nothing fills a dance floor quite like a tight funk and soul band. In Dorset, these bands are booked for wedding receptions, company parties, milestone birthdays and charity balls — anywhere the brief is simple: get people up and keep them dancing, from the first Motown classic to the last encore.

Whether your event is near Dorchester, Bournemouth and Bridport or elsewhere in Dorset, the bands on this page cover the whole area. Local venues include The Barn at Gorwell Farm, Studland Bay House and Hinton St Mary Estate — if you're still choosing, it's worth asking where a band would set up and whether there's a sound limiter.

Not every soul band sounds the same. You'll find Motown revue-style acts with sharp suits and harmonies, funk bands built around bass, drums and horns, disco specialists, and bands who blend soul classics with recent hits. Knowing the mood you're after makes comparing them much easier.

Since 1999, Hireaband has matched live bands with events of every size. The funk and soul bands listed here all travel to Dorset, include travel in the price, and arrive with their own sound and lighting. The instant quote button shows pricing and availability for your date in seconds.

The essentials:

  • Typical cost: from around £1,000 for a smaller line-up to £3,500 or more for a large band with horns, depending on date and set times
  • Line-ups from four-piece bands to eight or nine-piece bands with a full horn section
  • Two live sets plus a DJ playlist between and after sets as standard with most bands
  • Travel, PA and lighting are included in every quote
  • Every booking carries a 14-day change-of-mind refund

Guest numbers and the size of the room decide most of it. A five-piece is the most popular choice and suits most weddings and parties. For a large ballroom or a crowd of 200 or more, a seven to nine-piece with horns and backing vocals fills the space properly. Tell us the venue and numbers and we'll suggest what tends to work.

Most funk and soul bookings fall between about £1,000 and £3,500. The number of musicians is the biggest factor, especially horns and extra singers, followed by the date — Saturdays in summer and December are the busiest. Travel is included in the quote, so the figure you're given is the figure you pay.

Every band's page has live video and audio of the musicians who would actually play, their full song list and written reviews from people who have booked them. It's the easiest way to check the energy and the sound before you commit.

Use the instant quote button on this page to see prices and availability for your date. Once you've chosen a band, we handle the contract, the deposit and the arrangements, and stay in touch through to the day. Every booking includes a 14-day change-of-mind refund, and an emergency contact line is available on the day if anything needs sorting quickly.

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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

The Weekend Beat

The Weekend Beat Know How To Fill The Dance Floor! | Various Line-ups & DJ Add-ons | Sax Included

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From £2,600

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

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

Soul 10

A massive soul machine with a horn section to blow your wedding or function guests away.

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From £2,690

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Atlantic Funk

A Seven Piece Funk, Soul & Disco Band With The Sole Aim Of Getting Your Party Dancing | 4-10 Piece Options

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From £1,895

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Soul Sugar

A Seven to Ten Piece Funk, Soul & Pop Band - Ideal For Any Event Requiring A Soulful Edge

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From £5,035

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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Uptown Groove

3 or 4 Piece Band | Brings A Full Band Sound | Ideal For A Limited Budget Or Space.

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From £1,835+VAT

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Havana

8 Piece Powerhouse Band | Female Vocals | Horn Section | Amazing Arrangements To Keep You Dancing

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From £3,350

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

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

The Milestones

One of the finest covers band the UK has to offer - in a league of their own | Funk, Soul & Motown Plus Chart Covers

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From £3,100

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Supertonic Music

11 Piece Band | Female & Male Vocals | 4 Piece Horn Section

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From £6,000+VAT

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Atlantic Groove

Six Piece Elite Band | Huge Range Of Songs | Male & Female Vocals | 5-11pc Options

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From £3,860+VAT

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

Stereo Saints

A High Energy Five Piece Party Band With Male & Female Vocals And Brass Section Add-On Option For Ultimate Versatility

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From £1,305

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

Sound System

Five Piece Band Standard | Female Vocals | Large Repertoire | Up to 8 Piece available with Male Vocals & Horns

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From £1,615

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Monte Carlo

London's Finest In Live Party Entertainment | With Line-ups From 3 To 12 Piece | Male & Female Vocals

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From £2,750

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Reunion

4-6 Piece Band | Female Vocals | Horn Section | Old & New Favourites

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From £1,900

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

FAQs

The songs cross generations. Motown, disco and soul classics are recognised by almost every guest, so a funk and soul band gets people of all ages onto the dance floor — which is why it's one of the most popular choices for weddings and company parties.

Expect Motown and Stax classics, seventies funk and disco from acts like Chic, Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire, and soul-pop hits right up to the present day. Each band's page lists its full repertoire, and most will learn a first-dance or special request with enough notice.

If the room and budget allow, yes — saxophone and trumpet are what give funk and soul its punch. For smaller venues, a four or five-piece with strong vocals still delivers the songs well, and some bands can add horns just for the main sets.

Yes. Bands bring their own PA, lighting and usually a DJ playlist for between sets. They'll need floor space for the line-up and power sockets nearby, so it's worth checking both with your venue in Dorset, along with any sound limiter.

From around £1,000 for a smaller line-up to £3,500 or more for a large band with horns. The number of musicians and the date make the biggest difference, and travel is always included in the quote.

Most play two 60-minute or three 40-minute sets during the evening, with a playlist between sets and after the band finishes. Many also offer an extra acoustic set or a later finish if you need it.

Reviews

(5)

“I have put on quite a few events of this kind with different acts and may I say that you demonstrated exemplary standards of management and performance when working together on this occasion.This consistency and reliability has made my job of putting on the show a whole lot easier. As well as the fantastic show , you were all highly presentable and courteous and you were able to accommodate my requests efficiently.”

(5)

“Hi James, Thank you so much, everyone really loved the band and I’ve had some really brilliant feedback from lots of our guests. It was fab music and you guys helped to create a wonderful atmosphere! Everyone had a really good dance – I seem to remember the dance floor being constantly occupied. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for more. You set up very quickly and quietly and then produced some brilliant music.”

(5)

“Dear Hireaband - Very happy with Monte Carlo. The choice of music was good and they got people dancing. The manager of the venue also remarked that the guys were very pleasant and that she would recommend them in future. Only problem for me was I spent so much time talking to people I missed most of the second session. The problem with do's like this for the host!”

(5)

“Saw Domino on Saturday and have to say I'd recommend them to anyone! Talented musicians, stunning vocals, professional set up and their love of music is definitely infectious. They had people up dancing from beginning to end and couldn't leave the stage as everyone kept asking for more. Had a brilliant night and can't wait for the next gig. Not to be missed!”

(5)

“We booked Soul Sealed Delivered to play at our Christmas Party and we weren't disappointed. They were really professional and easy to deal with in the lead up to the event, and on the night they were fantastic. Their song list was great (not the usual ‘function band’ songs) and they had the dance floor full. We’ll definitely book them again for our next event.”

(5)

“‘Hot Piece of Brass was a fantastic addition to our corporate summer festival. Their performance kept the crowd engaged, and they even managed to draw people in from an adjoining room by taking their instruments through the venue and get everyone excited to come and watch them! Their fresh take on well-known songs was a big hit, adding a great vibe to the event. We were really impressed with their talent and energy. 10/10!’”

Local Venues in Dorset

Symondsbury Tithe Barn

Symondsbury Tithe Barn

A 1440s barn in a thatched village under Colmers Hill, a few minutes from the Bridport coast. Here is how a wedding day unfolds at Symondsbury.

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Hope Farm

Hope Farm

A secluded valley farm near Bridport with alpacas, a pond and two barns, kept by one family. A warm, relaxed Dorset venue for a whole weekend.

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Parley Manor

Parley Manor

A Georgian manor near Christchurch with an Italian colonnade, ancient oaks and a pavilion on the lawn, kept exclusively for one wedding at a time.

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Kingston Country Courtyard

Kingston Country Courtyard

A 16th-century Purbeck stone barn high above Corfe Castle, with courtyards, gardens and beds for 60.

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Deans Court Dorset

Deans Court Dorset

An ancient garden, a chalk stream and a lakeside marquee, a short walk from Wimborne Minster. Deans Court has been one family's home for centuries.

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Hinton St Mary Estate

Hinton St Mary Estate

A medieval tithe barn, walled gardens and a village estate in the Blackmore Vale near Sturminster Newton, held by one family for four centuries.

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Lulworth Castle

Lulworth Castle

A 17th-century castle set in Dorset parkland minutes from Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, restored from ruin and given over to one wedding at a time.

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Studland Bay House

Studland Bay House

An Edwardian house above Studland Bay near Swanage, with 6 acres of gardens, a path to the beach and views to Old Harry Rocks. Yours for a week.

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The Barn at Gorwell Farm

The Barn at Gorwell Farm

A 17th-century stone barn hidden in a valley above Abbotsbury, with bluebell woods, cottages for 18 and the Chesil coast just over the ridge.

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