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The Gold Standard

From £1,425

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £1,425

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

The Gold Standard is a dynamic and highly versatile 5-10 piece live function band that has played extensively throughout the UK and abroad at Weddings, Corporate Dinner Dances, Charity Balls, Christmas Parties, Private Parties, Jewish Celebrations and Scottish Ceilidhs.

Charismatic lead vocalist, Debbie, has an outstanding voice and brings her talent, energy and experience to every event, resulting in a performance that holds the attention of everyone in the room, packs the dance floor, is interactive and totally personal.  The band's guitar player is also a strong vocalist so you have the versatility of a band comfortable with both male and female vocals.

The Gold Standard also features incredible world class musicians who have appeared with celebrities such as Pixie Lott, Kylie Minogue, The Foundations, Avril Lavine, Will Young, Shane Ritchie, The Drifters, The Average White Band, Limahl (Kajagoogoo), Gwen Dickey (Rose Royce),  Bonnie Langford and many more.

The Gold Standard have been repeatedly booked by many delighted clients including Harrods, Radisson SAS, Ferrari Owners Club, Jaguar, Range Rover, Lloyds TSB, Sir Bobby Robson, BT, Bank of Scotland, Price Bailey Accountants, SLP Engineering, Powergen, Amec and many more.

Optional extras include: in-house manned DJ service, horn section, jazz and swing sets, live dinner music, Scottish Ceilidh dancing with calling and traditional klezmer music for Jewish celebrations.

You can rely upon The Gold Standard to use their combined talent to help shape a fantastic night for you and your guests. The band's attention to detail is faultless; they make sure they are fully prepared in advance so that everything runs smoothly on the day, they take great care during their set up and sound check to ensure you have the best possible sound on the night, they're unobtrusive when not performing and only use high quality professional equipment.

An evening with The Gold Standard is everything you'd expect from a top line act and a lot more...

For a free direct INSTANT price quote, just fill in the enquiry form.  You'll know instantly if the band are available on your date and what the fee would be. Please note that instant quotes are based on the seven piece line up, but that smaller or larger ensembles are available.

Listen

Set list

2000 to current chart hits
Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars
Happy, Will Farrell
Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5
Rolling In The Deep, Adele
I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
Sex On Fire, Kings Of Leon
Valerie, Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse
Forget You, Cee Lo Green
I Predict A Riot, Kaiser Chiefs
One Way Or Another/Teenage Kicks – One Direction
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Price Tag, Jessie J
Mercy, Duffy
Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
I Don't Feel Like Dancing, Scissor Sisters
Grace Kelly, Mika
Groovejet, Spiller
Lady Marmalade, From Moulin Rouge
80s and 90s
9 to 5, Dolly Parton
Don't Stop Me Now, Queen
Summer of 69, Bryan Adams
Man, I Feel Like A Woman, Shania Twain
Walking on Sunshine, Katrina & The Waves
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Wham!
Love Really Hurts Without You, Billy Ocean
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
Let Me Entertain You, Robbie Williams
Livin' On A Prayer, Bon Jovi
Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
Dance The Night Away, The Mavericks
Wonderwall, Oasis
Simply The Best, Tina Turner
Sing It Back, Moloko
Word Up, Cameo
Disco/Funk/Soul
Build Me Up, Buttercup, The Foundations
Hard To Handle, Otis Redding & Black Crowes
I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown
I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Marvin Gaye
Knock On Wood, Eddie Floyd
Midnight Hour, Wilson Pickett
Shake Your Tailfeather, Ray Charles
Mustang Sally, Wilson Pickett
My Girl, The Temptations
R.E.S.P.E.C.T., Aretha Franklin
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder
Blame It On The Boogie, Jackson 5
Boogie Nights, Heatwave
Car Wash, Rose Royce / Christina Aguilera
Celebration, Kool & The Gang
Dancing Queen, Abba
Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
I Wish, Stevie Wonder
Ladies Night, Kool & The Gang
Le Freak, C'est Chic, Chic
Mamma Mia, Abba
Oh What A Night (Dec 63), Four Seasons
Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
Superstition, Stevie Wonder
The First, The Last, My Everything, Barry White
Waterloo, Abba
We Are Family, Sister Sledge
60s & 70s rock and pop
Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
Daydream Believer, The Monkees
Shout, Lulu
I Saw Her Standing There, Beatles
Twist And Shout, Beatles
Johnny B Goode, Chuck Berry
La Bamba, Richie Valens
Long Train Running, Doobie Brothers
Hound Dog, Elvis
Proud Mary, Tina Turner
River Deep, Mountain High, Tina Turner
Whole Lotta Love, Led Zeppelin
Easy Listening / First Dance Type
All of Me, John Legend
Better Together, Jack Johnson
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Andy Williams
I'll Stand By You, The Pretenders & Girls Aloud
Let's Stay Together, Al Green
Natural Woman, Carole King
Simply The Best, Tina Turner
Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers
Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
Will You, Hazel O Connor
Wherever You May Go, Charlene Soraia
Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton
Wonderful World, Eva Cassidy
You're Beautiful, James Blunt
You're Still The One, Shania Twain
Your Song, Elton John
Jazz & Swing standards
Ain’t Misbehavin;, Dina Washington
Autumn Leaves, Eva Cassidy
Cheek to Cheek, Eva Cassidy
Everything, Michael Bublé
Fly Me To The Moon, Frank Sinatra
In The Garden, Van Morrison
Lady Is A Tramp, Frank Sinatra
Let There Be Love, Nat King Cole
Manhattan, Ella Fitzgerald
Mas Que Nada, Sergio Mendes
Moondance, Van Morrison
Save The Last Dance For Me, Michael Bublé
Summertime, Billie Holiday
Scottish Ceilidh
Dashing White Sergeant – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Gay Gordons – Scottish Ceilidh dance
St Bernard's Waltz – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Strip The Willow – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Military Two Step – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Eightsome Reel – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Wedding March – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Orcadian Strip The Willow – Scottish Ceilidh dance
Auld Lang Syne
Jewish Traditional music
Am Yisrael Chai
Hatikva
Hava Nagila
Mazel Tov
Od Yishama
Siman Tov
Christmas/Specialist
Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, Standard
Merry Christmas Everybody, Slade
Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Jacksons/Bruce Springsteen
All I Want For Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey
Rudolf, jazz arrangement
Winter Wonderland, jazz arrangement
Santa Baby, jazz arrangement
I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, jazz arrangement
Happy Birthday, standard
Ladies Song, masonic standard

Reviews (16)

The entire experience booking a band through Hireaband was flawless. Their range of music options was extensive and their advice and communication excellent. Perhaps most important was the fact that the band we hired (The Gold Standard) were perfect for the occasion and thoroughly entertaining. The band were extremely professional and capable, and contributed significantly to the success of the evening.

We had the most amazing time last night - you made everything so, so special. Thank you for everything you did. We've had another gathering today and so many people told us how impressed they were with you and how fantastic you made the evening. It was incredible and exactly the atmosphere we had hoped for!! We couldn't have asked for more. A few people have asked for your details so hope to see you at another event soon!! Thank you and very best wishes to you all. Love, Meghan (Bonner!!!) x

Hi Debbie, I should have emailed sooner but have been very busy, to say how much we all enjoyed your band's performance at the ball. Many club members have said what a wonderful band and that you really made the ball one of the best ever. We would love you to play again next year and will be in touch with the date soon.

Thank you so much for playing on Saturday. As I'm sure you already worked out, you were a massive hit - people have been raving all week about you so thank you for making our day even more special! Our only regret is that we did not spend enough time on the dance floor - having said that "I predict a riot" will forever bring a smile to our faces! Kind regards, Verity and Tom.

Thank you for giving us such great music and great fun! Those on the dance floor really worked their pudding-calories off, I loved it and don't get a chance to dance often enough! Best wishes from us both, Philippa and Jamie Symington

Thanks so much for a fantastic performance on Thursday night the band were great. We have had so many positive comments about how great you were and it was so good to see people get straight up on the dance floor! Thanks again for everything you have been great.

Dear Debbie, we were really pleased with the event last Saturday and the guests were so pleased that they would like to book for next year. Thank you for the part you played in the evening, the music was enjoyed by all of our guests and staff and the atmosphere in the barn was fantastic. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you all for your wonderful contribution to our party on Saturday. You were fantastic, played and sang brilliantly and created such an amazing atmosphere for us all to enjoy. You pitched your performance perfectly with a fantastic selection of music to ensure that everyone had a great time on the dance floor, which never seemed less than full! We have had so much praise for you with many comments from our guests such as the most brilliant band and the best live band heard at a party ever being just two. We hope to be able to see you again and look forward to another party with you playing. Thank you once again.

Thank you so much for being so fabulous last night. The dance floor was absolutely packed from the minute you started and they would have continued on all night given half the chance!

Just had to send you a little email to say a BIG thank you to everyone in the band for a wonderful night - the music was fantastic. Philippa summed up the evening by saying and I quote "it was the best night of my life!!". I had about 50 of Philippa's friends for breakfast the next morning and they couldn't stop telling me how great the music was. Many thanks you made a great party that little bit extra special.

We have used The Gold Standard for our Christmas party nights and our New Years Eve event for the last three years at the Radisson (Stansted) and they know how to get a party started!! The Gold Standard is a fabulously entertaining band, versatile in the variety of songs they sing, catering for all tastes of the audience. Debbie's energy and enthusiasm ensures that everyone enjoys their evening and they truly are a pleasure to listen to. We recommend The Gold Standard if any of our clients are looking for a band as we know no-one will be disappointed with their performance.

Thank you so much for all you did yesterday to make my 50th Birthday Party such a success. You were the utmost professionals and it was clear you care and take pride in all that you do. Everyone had a great time and the texts and phone calls keep coming in to that effect and that was due in no small part to your performance and skill as entertainers in reading the dance floor. We wish you every success and rest assured will have no hesitation in booking you again ourselves or recommending you to others. It was a pleasure to have met you all and we are grateful to the agent for their recommendation. Thank you so much.

Dear Debbie & the band! You were all just fabulous!!! Thank you for making our Wedding Day (evening) start and end in such style! All our love Tony & Rochelle Darby.

We just wanted to write to thank you so much for being such a huge part of our wedding day and for making it such a success. It was a pleasure to finally meet you and you were such a delight to work with. We thought the band was great and we have had many compliments! Well done on making the ceilidh such a success, not an easy task with so many people in such a small (hot) room! It was very much enjoyed by the Scottish and English alike, many of whom were a little nervous about "prancing about" as they referred to it! We had the most amazing wedding day and thank you for helping to make it so personal. Much love Susannah & Nick Lee

The Gold Standard were stunning! The music was great and Debbie was quite the best vocalist I've heard live for some time, (as well as being a real live wire in her interaction with the guests and quite the prettiest girl at the party!). Staff at Hintlesham reckoned The Gold Standard were the best live band they've ever had at the venue!!

The Gold Standard were fantastic! Debbie had the most amazing voice, she was a great entertainer, got the crowd involved and everyone had a fantastic time. The band made our wedding party a night to remember! The whole crowd loved them. Five star entertainment, we would hire them again and would most definitely recommend The Gold Standard to anyone.

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.

How big is The Gold Standard, and what's the vocal line-up?

We're a dynamic, versatile 5-10 piece function band. Our lead vocalist Debbie has an outstanding voice that packs the dance floor, and our guitarist is also a strong vocalist, so you get the best of both male and female vocals.

What's the musical pedigree of The Gold Standard?

We feature world-class musicians who have appeared with celebrities including Pixie Lott, Kylie Minogue, The Foundations, Avril Lavigne, Will Young, Shane Richie, The Drifters, The Average White Band, Limahl (Kajagoogoo), Gwen Dickey (Rose Royce) and Bonnie Langford.

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.

Check availability and price for The Gold Standard

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!