Cover Bands Essex | Hire from Alive Network

380 of the finest Essex Cover Bands to hire for your events.

These are the perfect Cover Bands for weddings, corporate events & parties in Essex, locally sourced by our entertainment experts. Find the best Essex Cover Bands only at Alive Network, the UK's biggest entertainment agency.

174,562 Events Made Awesome So Far

Read over 15,309 Cover Band reviews here

The Hot Shots Cover Band Review Wedding Essex

5 stars - The Hot Shots are Highly Recommended

“'The Hot Shots were perfect from start to finish, from working with us to ensure we had the right songs played at the right time to, executing that perfectly on the night. The dance floor was packed all night and everyone was shouting for an encore at the end. I really can't thank Rob and the guys e...”

Michael B booked The Hot Shots for their Wedding at Blake Hall in Essex

Joyriders Cover Band Review Wedding Essex

5 stars - Joyriders are Highly Recommended

“Joyriders were absolutely awesome! We booked them for our wedding at Gosfield Hall, as we loved their playlists on the website and thought their look and sound would be perfect. Plus the vocals sounded amazing and they really were! They exceeded our expectations and even created a sing off and dance...”

Jenilee R booked Joyriders for their Wedding in Essex

The Duplicators Cover Band Review Wedding Essex

5 stars - The Duplicators are Highly Recommended

“We booked the Duplicators for our wedding based on the set list on the website, and also from what we could hear off the site. Neither of these things do them justice! They were simply amazing and we could not have asked for a better bunch of guys, performing amazing live songs. They topped off an a...”

paul W booked The Duplicators for their Wedding at Barleylands Craft Village Barleylands Rd in Essex

Talk Of The Town Cover Band Review Charity Event Essex

4 stars - Talk Of The Town are Highly Recommended

“Very animated band. Guests very reluctant to participate due to cold weather despite Dan's (lead singer) efforts to get them up dancing. Bit of a late start by the band but soon made up for that with an excellent choice of music for our event.”

Elizabeth booked Talk Of The Town for their event in Essex

Amazing Venues

Just a few of the amazing venues we've worked with in Essex

Gosfield Hall CO9 1SF
Gaynes Park CM16 7RJ
Down Hall Country House Hotel CM22 7AS
Quendon Hall (Parklands) CB11 3XN
The Reid Rooms CM6 1QT
Orsett Hall Hotel, RM16 3HS
Mulberry House CM5 9NL
Prested Hall CO5 9EE
Houchins Farm CO6 1RT
Hylands House CM2 8WQ
Quendon Hall Parklands CB11 3XN
Le Talbooth CO7 6HP
Vaulty Manor CM9 8BQ
The Lawn SS4 1PL
Layer Marney Tower CO5 9US

Colville Hall CM6 1RQ
Channels Golf Club, CM3 3PT
Boreham House CM3 3HY
Great Lodge CM7 4QD
Crabbs Barn CO5 9AX
Friern Manor Country House CM13 3SL
Newland Hall CM1 4LH
Crondon Park Golf Course CM4 9DP
The Barns at Lodge Farm CM16 6FS
The Compasses at Pattiswick CM77 8BG
The Fennes Estate CM7 5PL
The Lion Inn CM3 3JA
Ye Olde Plough House RM14 3SR
Stock Brook Manor CM12 0SP
The Fennes CM7 5PL

Three Rivers golf and country club CM3 6RR
Stock Brook Manor and Country Club CM12 0SP
Marks Hall CO6 1TG
Anne of Cleves Barn CM7 4QD
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club and Hotel CO6 4PZ
Roslin Beach Hotel SS1 3BG
That Amazing Place CM17 0NH
The Old Parish Rooms SS6 8BA
Stock Brook Country Club CM12 0SP
The Prince Regent Hotel IG8 8AE
Five Lakes CM9 8HX
Hatfield Place CM3 2ET
The Rayleigh Club SS6 9QS
Chichester Hotel SS11 8UE
Merville Barracks CO2 7UT

Booking Guide

Everything you need to know to hire Cover Bands for your event

A cover band is a group of musicians that specialise in playing live music covers of popular rock, pop and chart tracks, both classic and contemporary. Typically consisting of a lead singer, guitarist, bass guitarist and drummer, cover bands may also include synths, a brass section or backing singers but generally, when a line up is extended beyond a standard 4-piece, male fronted guitar band, and additional singers are included for example, they are better defined as wedding bands, function bands or party bands.

As cover bands play a repertoire of well-known songs, they are a crowd-pleasing option for private events, weddings and public performances in pubs, clubs & venues. Depending on the event type, most cover bands offer a complete entertainment package, providing sound and lighting equipment, with no need to hire any additional services. Bands performing gigs for public venues, like music bars, clubs or restaurants, may use in-house PA sound systems and lighting.

For private events and wedding entertainment, cover band sets are specifically tailored to parties and may include DJ options.

Often mainstays at their local music venue, professional cover bands are also used to performing internationally and all over the UK, and will often travel large distances.

Cover bands as discussed here are different to their tribute bands counterparts who specialise in the music of one artist, era or genre. To find out more please visit the tribute bands page here.

From Led Zeppelin to Beyoncé, cover bands do it all! Most cover bands play a huge range of rock, indie and chart music incorporating classic artists like Stevie Wonder to current floor fillers, with some bands preferring guitar-based rock, pop and dance, or funk and soul. A standard set list may include songs from artists such as

Alicia Keys
Arctic Monkeys
Aretha Franklin
Bruce Springsteen
Bruno Mars
Cee Lo Green
Coldplay
Daft Punk
David Bowie
Ed Sheeran
Elvis
Foo Fighters
Florence and the Machine
James Brown
Jimi Hendrix
Kings of Leon
Mumford & Sons
Michael Jackson
Oasis
Paul Simon
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Rihanna
Stevie Wonder
Take That
Taylor Swift
The Beatles
The Killers
The Rolling Stones
The Strokes

The repertoire for each of our cover bands is featured on their profile pages. Usually artists will tailor their set list to your specific event requirements, and this can be discussed with your Alive Network Entertainment Coordinator.

1. Guitar bands

Unsurprisingly these bands specialise in a repertoire based around guitar music – think rock, indie or pop. Often consisting of 3–5 members, guitar bands will cover artists from Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and Oasis, to The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

2. Pop/Funk/Soul bands

Comprising of 4–12 members and usually fronted by a female singer, pop, funk and soul bands may feature a brass section or keyboards. Repertoires include modern chart artists such as Jess Glynne, Rihanna and Beyoncé as well as classic soul and Motown artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder.

Cover bands are as at home in their local music bar as they are performing a party in Abu Dhabi! The most popular UK locations include:

A cover band is usually the headline act to your celebrations, featuring towards the end of the evening when guests are ready to dance and enjoy the music! Performances are best scheduled after any food has been served so that guests can dance comfortably, and make the most of a lively and energetic atmosphere.

If you want to party hard after the final set, almost all cover bands offer DJ options in addition to their live performance.

For all-day celebrations, cover bands can offer laid back acoustic sets. These are more chilled out and daytime-friendly, providing a perfect backdrop for drinks receptions and dining.

Booking one band for your entire event is a great option for those looking to simplify their event planning as logistics and price are minimised, compared with hiring several separate performers.

Space considerations at your event

A typical 4-piece band will need around 4m width × 3m depth as a comfortable performance space. For approximate requirements, see ‘How much space will a cover band need?’, below.

Volume - How loud is a cover band?

The line-up, instruments and room acoustics at your venue will all affect the volume of your band. Volume is usually in the region of 95 dB – 110 dB, reflecting the roof-raising, lively performance expected of them. For more laid back daytime entertainment, sound levels will obviously be quieter, especially if you opt for a smaller or acoustic version of the band.

Many cover bands can play with an electronic drum kit to lessen the overall volume. This can be a lifesaver if your venue has volume restrictions or has a sound limiter fitted! Our sound limiter-friendly bands can be found here.

Cover band costs can vary, depending on the number of musicians, and the options each band offers.

Tthe average price of a 4-piece cover band is around £1,300.

The table below demonstrates the range of fees for different types of cover bands:

Type of Artist	Cost Range
3-piece bands	£700 - £1,500
4-piece bands	£720 - £1,850
5-piece bands	£950 - £1,900
Larger line-ups	£2,000 - £4,500+

Booking a band local to your venue is a great way to reduce cost as travel fees will be minimal. The home town of all Alive Network cover bands is included on their profile pages, and your Entertainment Coordinator can recommend the best bands near your venue. There’s no need to limit your search to just local bands, however! Your perfect cover band may be willing to travel at nominal cost.

Our list features the UK’s best cover bands, based on reputation, performance quality and innovation:

Cover bands usually perform two 60-minute sets, or occasionally three 40-minute sets.

Bands that are booked for an evening performance might arrive at 6pm, set up and perform the sound check by 7.30pm to 8pm, get changed and ready to start the first performance by around 9pm. After a break of around 30 minutes, the second set might start at 10.30pm, finishing at 11.30pm, before the usual midnight curfew.

Many cover bands offer DJ sets or longer performances including finishing times of 1am and 2am. You can find the booking options on each cover band’s profile page.

Times supplied are an example and cover bands performing at both public and private events will liaise with you, tailoring their performance times to suit your celebration.

The table below demonstrates how much space party bands of different sizes might require:

Size of Cover Band	Performance Space Required
3-piece band	3 x 3 metres
4-piece band	4 x 3 metres
5 and 6-piece band	5 x 3 metres
7-piece band and bigger	5/6 x 4 metres

Of course, measurements may vary depending on the number of artists and the type of instruments in your chosen cover band. Your Entertainment Coordinator can discuss the options with you.

Depending how close to the performance space a cover band can park, unloading, setting up and performing their sound check will take around 60 – 90 minutes.

Some venues require bands to load in via a supplier’s entrance and/or use a shared staff elevator, which can increase set up times.

It takes a cover band around 45 – 60 minutes to pack down and load out, following their performance.

Most cover bands need:

parking provision with easy access to the venue
a secure, lockable changing room
a dedicated, suitably-sized, safe, dry, flat performance area or stage
if performing outside – by prior agreement – they will need cover from the elements (either direct sunlight, strong wind or rain!)
adequate lighting for set up, especially if playing in a marquee, for example
a minimum of four 13 amp power sockets, depending on the line-up
refreshments – usually soft drinks and a hot meal, depending on how long you’ve booked them for.

Cover bands usually provide their own microphones, backline amplifiers, PA sound system and stage lighting.

If you are planning a large celebration with 200+ guests, you may need a larger PA system – especially if it is an outdoor event. Your dedicated Entertainment Coordinator will be happy to discuss the requirements for specific cover bands.

Aside from finding some of the best Cover Bands in the UK and getting expert advice from our friendly staff, one of the main reasons to hire a Cover Band from Alive Network Entertainment Agency is security. We ensure your booking is covered 24/7 against any eventuality, so that no matter what, you can enjoy your event without worrying about whether your entertainment will turn up. If your Cover Band is ill or unable to perform, our team will be on hand to source a suitable replacement even out of office hours and at short notice. Imagine having to do that yourself!?

Outstanding five-star customer service
Emergency cover 24/7, 365 days a year
Hand-picked Cover Bands for the ultimate in quality and reliability
Safe, secure booking contracts for your peace of mind
Easy enquiry and booking process
Hundreds of Cover Bands to choose from
Trusted brand with over 110,000 previous clients & high-profile industry partnerships
Instant online Cover Band prices & availability

Established in 1999, Alive Network has grown to become the UK's largest live entertainment agency and one of the leading online entertainment booking services in the world. We specialise in wedding entertainment, party entertainment and corporate entertainment, trusted by companies like Apple, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Coca-Cola & Nike, and we have helped over 110,000 customers to hire the perfect live entertainment for their events. We are formally partnered with BIMM, the largest and leading provider of contemporary music education in the UK and Europe, ensuring that we are able to bring you the very best new talent exclusively at Alive Network.

Find more about Alive Network Entertainment Agency here

For info on how to join Alive Network please visit our 'How to join' pages here.

You will need:

Polished demo recordings and promo photos
Reliable equipment & transport
A setlist of music suited to private events
Smart formal stage clothes, suited to private events
A PA system & stage lighting suitable for audiences of up to 200 people
Reliable, professional band mates

For information on the following, see our Frequently Asked Questions:

If you have any other queries, simply visit our FAQ page.

Alternatively, our dedicated expert entertainment coordinators are on-hand to help. Simply call 0845 108 5500 or email enquiries@alivenetwork.com.

Why Choose Alive?

25 years providing you with the very best Cover Bands in Essex

Five-Star Service

Get 1:1 help & ideas quickly from your dedicated entertainment expert

Budget Friendly

Big or small, luxe or less, we get you the best value with transparent pricing

Handpicked By Us

All artists selected by
our expert talent scouts

Safe & Secure

Reliable artists. Secure contracts. 24/7 Emergency Cover. Peace of mind.

A Leading Essex Cover Band Agency

Looking for Cover Bands in Essex? Alive Network will help you hire the best local Essex Cover Band, with acts available in Basildon, Billericay, Braintree, Brentwood, Brightlingsea, Burnham-On-Crouch, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Chigwell, Chipping Ongar, Clacton-On-Sea, Colchester, Epping, Frinton-On-Sea, Grays, Great Dunmow, Halstead, Harlow, Harwich, Loughton, Maldon, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden, Southend-on-Sea, Stansted Mountfitchet, Tilbury, Waltham Abbey, Walton-On-The-Naze, West Mersea, Wickford, Witham, Wivenhoe

Photos by: Carrie Lavers Photography, Andrew Billington Photography

Registered offices: Ground Floor Suite, Silk Mill Studios, Princess Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1DD, United Kingdom

Some artists may appear with the kind co-operation and consent of their respective management companies.

This service is intended for personal use only and no part of the service may be displayed in public, broadcast or used for any business purpose without the consent of Alive Network. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our services and web content, we accept no responsibility for any use made of the information provided and we shall not be liable for any loss suffered thereby.

Cover Bands for hire in Essex380 of the finest Essex Cover Bands to hire for your events