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Gentlemen of the Road

From £1,985

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £1,985

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

With Gentlemen of the Road, you'll hear the music you'd expect from a quality vintage 20's - 40's swing act like them; The Charleston, It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" but there's a cunning twist - they also cater for wider tastes by playing popular and up to date chart songs by artists such as George Ezra, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk and lots more.

They love to mix their repertoire up and perform a wide range of swing songs, but something that sets them apart are their innovative arrangements of modern popular songs in a classic 20's style. With advance notice, they can even do a unique arrangement of your first dance or special request for an additional charge - what could be better than a bespoke first dance created just for you?!

Gentlemen of the Road always perform with loads of energy which guarantees a lively and fun experience, and their bang up to date equipment and fantastic quality instruments ensure you'll hear them at their best. With a 6-piece line-up of Female Vocals, Saxophone, Trumpet, Guitar, Double Bass, Drums, they are versatile and bring a full sound to any event. They also offer smaller line-ups if that is more suited to your event or you can expand the band to add an extra vocalist or a 2nd saxophone for a bigger sound.

The band offer either 2 x 45 minute or 2 x 60 minute sets of foot tapping tunes in that roaring 20's style which celebrates all things vintage, fronted by one of two outstanding female vocalists who both are experienced professionals who perform with the band regularly. Please note, instant quotes are based on 2 x 45 minute sets across a 2 hour period.

Gentlemen of the Road also offer quality background music options, including a reduced 4 piece version of the band perfect for daytime or corporate events, or even a great jazz trio available at a reduced fee when booked as an add-on to the main evening band, ideal for a wedding reception.

Gentlemen of the Road are experienced professionals so you are in safe hands. Members of the band also have a wealth of experience outside the wedding and corporate scene, at both Jazz clubs and festivals, including London Jazz festival, Brecon Jazz festival, Langnau Jazz Nights Switzerland, the 606 Club London, Hay Festival of Literature and Art and many more.

They have also had the privilege to play for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and other prestigious events for clients such as GQ magazine, Porsche and DHL.

If you'd like to chat about your requirements and how this fantastic act can help make your wedding or party unique, fun and memorable, click to get an instant quote and availability check and put any questions in the comments box - the team at Hireaband will get back to you immediately.

 

Listen

Set list

Modern

Get lucky - Daft Punk

Happy - Pharrell Williams

Crazy in love - Beyoncé (Great Gatsby version)

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

Valerie - Zutons

Feeling good - Nina Simone

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Pencil full of lead - Paolo Nutini

I'm the king of the swingers - Jungle Book

Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles

Just the two of us - Bill Withers

Thriller - Michael Jackson

Isn't she lovely - Stevie Wonder

Smells like teen Spirit - Nirvana

I want you Back - Michael Jackson

Toxic - Britney Spears

Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest

Good Vibrations - Beach Boys

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Suit and Tie - Justin Timberlake

Call me maybe - Carly Rae-Jepsen

All about the bass - Meghan Trainor

Let’s stay together - Al Green

 

Jive/Rock and roll

Rock around the clock - Bill Haley

Alright, Ok, You win - Fitzgerald

Jonny B Goode - Chuck Berry

Hit the road jack - Ray Charles

Blue suede shoes - Elvis Presley

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

Sweet home Chicago - Blues Brothers

 

20s-40s Classics

It don’t mean a thing if it ain't got that swing - Duke Ellington

The Charleston - James P Johnson

Beyond the sea - Frank Sinatra

At last - Etta James

Basin Street Blues - Louis Armstrong

Alexander’s Ragtime - Irving Berlin

I get a kick out of you - Cole Porter

Is you is or is you ain’t my baby - Louis Jordan

Caravan - Duke Ellington

Anything Goes - Cole Porter

Straighten up and fly right  - Nat King Cole

Why don’t you do right - Peggy Lee

Ain't that a kick in the head - Jimmy Van Heusen

Cheek to Cheek - Irving Berlin

All of Me - Ella Fitzgerald

Bye Bye Blackbird - Ray Henderson

 

Christmas

Jingle bell rock

Santa Baby

Rudolf the red nosed reindeer

Christmas song

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Winter wonderland

White Christmas

Reviews (13)

Gentlemen of the Road

The band were absolutely fantastic and completely accommodating. Would highly recommend them!

Gentlemen of the Road

They were amazingly relaxed and flexible - exactly what you need on your wedding day when nothing seems to run quite to plan!

Gentlemen of the Road

The band were really helpful when we contacted them before the wedding. On the day they set up with no fuss, and let us borrow their mics for our speeches. Their 3 sets were all really good-everyone was dancing from the beginning until the end, and everyone has been commenting on what a great band they are. They were so full of energy, and even ended up wearing props from our photo booth which added to the fun- the drummer looked great in a fez!

Gentlemen of the Road

Thank you so so so much for performing at our wedding! Everything was smooth on the day and I didn't have to worry about anything which was reassuring. We were so impressed by everything!

Gentlemen of the Road

For my 40th birthday last November, I wanted to re-create some swing style magic for myself and my friends. And with Gentlemen of the Road that's exactly what I got. The set list was awesome, and you can tell the band love what they do as the sound they produced was wonderful. I can't recommend them highly enough. Two long sets just wasn't enough! Thanks guys, we had an incredible evening.

Gentlemen of the Road

The whole experience was great, from the ease of booking to your response to my questions, thank you!

Gentlemen of the Road

They were amazingly relaxed and flexible - exactly what you need on your wedding day when nothing seems to run to plan!

Gentlemen of the Road

We couldn't have been more delighted with Gentlemen of the Road's performance, the dance floor was packed from the moment they started and stayed that way for the whole set.

Gentlemen of the Road

Can I say a massive thank you to you and the rest of the band for all your efforts on Saturday night. The music was superb and many of our guests have commented on the quality and originality of the music. It suited everyone of all ages and everyone was up dancing which was exactly what we were hoping for. The whole experience was great, from the ease of booking to your response to my questions, thank you. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and will certainly look to book you for any future family celebrations.

Gentlemen of the Road

Punctual and professional we would definitely book them again!

Gentlemen of the Road

Gentlemen of the Road provided an excellent performance at our Annual Dinner. We have a mixed group of professionals attending but the band appealed to all there. The preparation in advance was very smooth from our perspective and having used Pete's service before, I could depend on their reliability on the night.

Gentlemen of the Road

Gentlemen of the Road played at our wedding reception, we loved the performance and style. The guys really made the evening special and played our first dance music, which they learnt especially for us. All of our guests commented on how good the music was and how it created the perfect relaxed and fun atmosphere to our wedding reception. Thanks so much it was a perfect end to our wedding day.

Gentlemen of the Road

Gentlemen of the Road played at our wedding celebration and were absolutely fantastic. We found the hiring process very straight forward, with no hiccups at all. The two sets they played were great with ‘I get a kick out of you’ and ‘Get Lucky’ played at our request. The band were lovely and had everyone up and dancing; they definitely made our celebration a night to remember!

FAQs

How far in advance should we book?

As soon as you know your date, really. Popular dates (weekends, especially in summer) can book up 12+ months ahead, but we've also pulled off cracking gigs with just a few weeks' notice if we're free. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you'll have.

How much do you charge?

You can use the instant quote button on this page to get a price straight away — your fee will appear on screen, and you'll also get a follow-up email confirming it. If we're available and you're happy with the price, get back in touch with the Hireaband team to secure the date. It's very much first come, first served, so if we're available, don't hesitate.

What's your payment and cancellation policy?

Hireaband will ask for a reservation fee to secure your date, with the remaining balance due before the event (your booking confirmation will have exact dates and amounts). If you need to cancel or postpone, get in touch as early as possible — the closer to the date, the harder it is for Hireaband to fill the slot, so the cancellation terms reflect that. Full details are in your booking agreement, but the Hireaband team are always happy to talk through the specifics.

What if any timings change after booking you?

No problem at all. We know that timings and details aren't always set in stone at the booking stage, and plans have a habit of evolving as your big day gets closer. We're happy to be flexible around changes to your schedule, and if you decide further down the line that you'd like to add on any extra services, just get in touch with the Hireaband team and they'll sort it out for you.

What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?

Totally understandable if this all feels a bit new! Booking a band is a big part of your day, so we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. We've performed at countless weddings and events, and the Hireaband team will guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry right through to the big day itself. If you're ever unsure about anything, just ask — that's what we're here for.

Can we see you perform live before booking?

We don't always have public gigs to invite you to (weddings tend to be private!), but we're always happy to jump on a call and talk you through what to expect. A public performance will often be posted on this page too, so it's worth checking back — and if we do have one coming up, we'll gladly send details your way.

How much contact will we have with the band before the wedding?

Hireaband will put you in direct touch with us around 3 months before your date, so you can go through all the finer details together — song choices, timings, any special requests and so on. In the meantime, the Hireaband team are always on hand to answer any questions you have, so you're never left waiting.

How many songs will the band learn especially for me?

We're happy to learn your first dance or a special request. Other songs depend on the time frame given and what the songs are. We're always keen to learn new things, so do let us know and we'll try to accommodate as best we can for you.

Can we choose our own setlist?

Yes, within reason. We have a core set of crowd-pleasers that we know works brilliantly, and we're experts at reading a room and picking the right songs on the night to keep everyone dancing. We're also always happy to tweak the setlist based on your taste — send us a few "must plays" and a few "please avoids" and we'll build the night around them. Just bear in mind that learning brand new songs from scratch (aside from your first dance) depends on notice — see above!

Will you be able to do my first dance?

Given enough notice, yes. It takes a while for us to rehearse a song to the high standards that we set ourselves. If you can give us at least 8 weeks' notice, that should be fine. The song also has to be suitable for a band. If we can't do it justice, then we can put it on an iPod and go seamlessly into our set at the end of it.

How much space does the band need?

This will vary depending on the size of the band and the setup on the night, but we've performed at a huge variety of venues and can comfortably fit into most spaces that have hosted a live band before. If your venue has anything a little unusual about it, we can usually find a way to make it work, so just get in touch if you're not sure and we'll be happy to advise.

Are the exact people in the videos going to be at our event?

The musicians featured in our videos form the core of the band, and for the most part these are the people who will be at your event. However, it is sometimes not possible for everyone to attend, so we have a reliable network of 'standbys' all of whom have been playing with the band on and off since its formation. This may sometimes mean we have 2 saxophonists rather than trumpet and saxophone, but rest assured the quality of the band never suffers.

Can you play a more traditional swing set without the pop tunes?

We love jazz, and all of the members are keen jazz musicians outside of this band. This means that if you are looking for a more traditional Jazz sound then we are more than happy to oblige.

Do you offer a smaller line-up for daytime or corporate events?

Yes - alongside the full 6-piece evening band, we offer a reduced 4-piece version ideal for daytime or corporate functions, plus a jazz trio add-on that's popular for wedding drinks receptions. We have played corporate events for clients including GQ, Porsche and DHL, so we're well used to reading a professional crowd as well as a wedding dance floor.

How long do you take to set up?

We ask for around an hour to set up and check everything is working, but if it needs to be shorter, just let us know and we'll always accommodate as best we can.

How far will you travel?

We regularly perform all over the country, so distance really is no object, but we will require an additional fee for travel and may need bed and breakfast arranged for us. Any price you receive already includes travel costs, so there won't be any surprise extras on top.

Will we need to feed you?

It depends on timings, but generally some hot food would be hugely appreciated. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Normally a catering company will provide a 'crew meal' as part of their package, or we're happy to have evening food that's already available.

What do you wear?

We tend to be 'smart casual' as in our pictures and video. However, we can be smarter or more casual depending on your event and requirements.

How long do you perform for?

As standard, we provide 2 x 1hr or 3 x 40 minute sets as required on the night, up until midnight. We can play past midnight, but it can incur an additional fee. We are flexible though and will always try to accommodate your requirements. We can also add an additional 1hr set for a small fee!

Do you take breaks, and what happens to the music then?

Yes, we'll take short breaks between sets to grab a drink and catch our breath! During these breaks we'll have background music playing through our own PA system, so there's never a dead moment on the dancefloor. Just let us know if you have a particular playlist or Spotify account you'd like us to use.

Will the band provide a DJ service?

Yes, as standard we provide a playlist DJ service whenever we're not performing — so between sets and after our last set, right up until midnight (or your curfew if earlier). These are tried-and-tested playlists that we've refined over countless events, but you're also welcome to send us your own playlist to play instead. If you'd like a bit more than that, we offer an upgrade to a manned DJ service, where a band member stays on hand throughout to look after the music and take requests on the night.

Can you arrive earlier and finish later?

Our standard on-site time runs from 6pm to midnight, but we're happy to be flexible around your schedule. Whether you need us there earlier for an afternoon slot or performing later into the night, just let us know your requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate — additional fees may apply for extended hours.

Do you offer any optional extras?

Yes! On top of our standard package, we can offer a range of optional extras for an additional fee — things like extra performance sets, a manned DJ service, acoustic sets for your ceremony or drinks reception, and more. Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll see what we can put together for your day.

Do you provide all your own equipment?

Yes, all we need is a clear area in which to set up and a power supply.

Are you insured and PAT tested?

Yes to both. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our equipment is PAT tested annually. Hireaband will send your venue any certification that's required.

Can you work with sound limiters?

Yes. We don't 'love' them, but we absolutely can work within them.

What happens if one of the band is ill on the day of my event?

We have a network of fellow musicians that we can call on to stand in on the rare occasion one of the band is ill. On top of that, Hireaband is the UK's biggest entertainment agency and has access to dozens of wedding bands in your area even at the very last minute. However, we've never missed a gig yet.

Further Info

Line-Up

  • Default Line Up
  • Female Vocals
  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Upright Bass
  • Drums
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet / 2nd Saxophone
  • Additional Line Up Options
  • 2nd Saxophone
  • Additional Vocalist

Performance Times

Booking Add-ons

  • Early Arrival
  • Additional 1hr Set
  • Late Finish (After Midnight)
  • Smaller Lineups Available
  • Daytime Jazz Trio Add-On
  • Playlist DJ Service After Live Sets
  • Special Request Arrangement

Provided by the Act

  • PA System
  • Public Liability Insurance & PAT Tested Equipment
  • Stage Lighting
  • Able To Work With Sound Limiters
  • Complimentary Unmanned DJ Service (between live sets)

Check availability and price for Gentlemen of the Road

To find out if this act is available and what it would cost to hire them, please fill out the form.

To ensure the quote is as accurate as possible, remember to tell us the postcode or nearest town to your venue. Good Luck!