Solo, Duo & Trios Essex | Hire Award Winning Live Music

Find 608 Live Solo, Duo & Trios in Essex below.

These are the perfect live bands for corporate events, weddings & parties in the Essex area .... in fact any event where you want to dance all night to rock and pop hits from across the decades! Find the best local function bands in Essex only at Alive Network, the UK's biggest music agency.

183,195 Events Made Awesome So Far

Read over 9,863 Solo Artist, Duo or Trio reviews here

George W Solo Artist, Duo or Trio Review Wedding Essex

5 stars - George W are Highly Recommended

“George played at our twilight wedding (April 2024) and it was absolutely perfect. He played during the signing of the register and then during our meal. It helped create exactly the atmosphere I was hoping for, and the choice of songs was so perfectly fitting for the occasion. Thank you so much!”

Stacey C booked George W for their Wedding

5 stars - George W are Highly Recommended

“George played at our wedding- whilst guests were entering the ceremony, whilst I was walking down the aisle, and during our drinks reception. He was incredible! He took the time to chat with us beforehand and find out the kind of songs we wanted, he kept in regular contact (as we booked him so far i...”

Sam H booked George W for their Wedding

Wild Soul Solo Artist, Duo or Trio Review Corporate Event Essex

5 stars - Wild Soul are Highly Recommended

“It was so good to meeting you last Friday evening - we all had a really good time, the feedback has been so positive from everyone, we all really enjoyed the evening! Just to say, thanks very much from all of us and I really hope we see you again sometime soon. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and...”

McGinley booked Wild Soul for their event

Isla Solo Artist, Duo or Trio Review Wedding Essex

5 stars - Isla are Highly Recommended

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more from Isla, she really made us feel special during our wedding day. Fully recommend her to anyone and all our guests loved her too. She learnt some extra songs for the first dance and father daughter dance and made some last minute changes right before her sec...”

Amber J booked Isla for their Wedding 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
Mulberry House CM5 9NL
Orsett Hall Hotel, RM16 3HS
Quendon Hall Parklands CB11 3XN
Prested Hall CO5 9EE
Houchins Farm CO6 1RT
Hylands House CM2 8WQ
Braxted Park CM8 3EN
Le Talbooth CO7 6HP
The Lawn SS4 1PL
Vaulty Manor CM9 8BQ

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

Houchins Wedding Venue CO6 1RT
Parklands Quendon Hall - Wedding Venue in Essex CB11 3XN
Stock Brook Manor CM12 0SP
Three Rivers golf and country club CM3 6RR
Stock Brook Manor and Country Club CM12 0SP
The Warren Estate CM9 6RW
Villiers Barn Wedding & Events Venue CO16 9PT
Crondon Park CM4 9DP
Marks Hall CO6 1TG
Roslin Beach Hotel SS1 3BG
Anwar's Exquisite Indian Restaurant CM22 7EB
Anne of Cleves Barn CM7 4QD
Little Channels at the Channels Estate CM3 3PR
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club and Hotel CO6 4PZ
That Amazing Place CM17 0NH

Booking Guide

Everything you need to know to hire Solo Singers, Music Duos & Trios for your event

Solo singers, music duos and trios provide superb popular music entertainment in a compact and affordable format. They are a great alternative to a function band if budget or space are limited, or if you would prefer a more laid back, live lounge acoustic-style performance.

A solo artist is an individual performer, a duo is made up of two performers, and a trio consists of three performers.

For classical music artists, such as harpists, classical guitarists, classical pianists or classical singers, please see the classical musicians booking guide here.

1. Solo artists always perform on their own but might sing and play one or more instruments, and/or perform over pre-recorded backing tracks. A solo performer might also be called a soloist, vocalist or instrumentalist. The most popular kinds of solo artists in the rock and pop genre are singer/guitarists, singer/pianists and solo singers who perform to pre-recorded backing tracks.

2. Music Duos consist of two performers who may sing and/or play instruments. A duo may also perform over pre-recorded backing tracks in order to create a more 'full' sound.

3. Trios consist of three performers who may sing and/or play instruments. Many 'power' trios are able to create a sound as big as a 4-5-piece band, only with less people! They're a great choice when you really want a rock and pop band but don't have enough space or have a tight budget.

They generally cover a diverse range of popular music spanning the 1950s through to contemporary chart acts, focusing on hits that nearly everyone in your audience will know. Many can also offer a range of styles of entertainment in acoustic or amplified format, depending on the atmosphere you want to create. You can expect a repertoire that includes artists such as:

Ed Sheeran
The Beatles
Coldplay
Bruno Mars
Jack Johnson
Adele
Rihanna
Buddy Holly
Nina Simone
John Legend
Maroon 5
Stevie Wonder
Amy Winehouse
Ellie Goulding
Taylor Swift
Michael Jackson
Frank Sinatra
Otis Reading
Elvis
Norah Jones
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Jess Glynne

Our solo artists, duos and trios offer a variety of styles of music, giving you a range of choices for your event:

Soloists

The most popular type of solo artists in the rock and pop genre are singer/guitarists, singer/pianists and singers who perform to pre-recorded backing tracks. As well as rock and pop, our popular soloists also provide music ranging from Rat Pack, boogie-woogie, and classical, to soul, Motown, disco and jazz.

Music Duos

The most popular line up for duos in the rock and pop genre are vocals with either guitar or piano, and with backing tracks (to create a more ‘full’ sound).

Trios

The most popular trios in the rock and pop genre consist of vocals/guitar, bass and drums.

We book acts for weddings, corporate events, parties, venues and festivals across the UK and internationally. Popular locations include:

Solo artists, duos and trios specialise in live music for any occasion that calls for either chilled-out popular background music or a lively, uplifting performance to move your feet to – and everything in-between! This might include:

Most solo, duo and trio acts are happy to provide two totally different styles of entertainment at the same event. In fact, many offer both amplified and acoustic options, making them ideal for venues with strict sound volume requirements, or for a more gentle and relaxed ambience.

For weddings, artists can provide a romantic refrain as the bride walks up the aisle, they can perform the first dance, as well as background music between sets in order to provide an all-in-one wedding entertainment solution. Many artists also offer acoustic sets for your drinks reception, and solo guitar / piano for your ceremony and wedding breakfast. These options can save a considerable amount of money compared with hiring separate performers to cover your wedding day.

For corporate events, duos and trios can also offer walk-on music for awards ceremonies.

Volume considerations at your event

Solo artists, duos and trios can play at a range of volumes, anything from 65dB (slightly louder than a normal conversation) to 110dB (a similar volume to a power mower), depending on their setup and the style of music they're playing. A solo piano can start at 65dB to provide subtle background music, and an energetic 3-piece power trio can kick out over 110dB for a lively party, dependant on your needs!

If you want background music so your guests can still easily hold a conversation in the same room, then you might like to consider a solo singer / guitarist or Rat Pack singer - all of whom are able to perform popular music but in a laid back style.

If your venue has a sound limiter or volume restrictions, solo artists, duos and trios are a good option, and most can tailor their volume. However, be aware if you plan on dancing along to your entertainment! Once an artists' volume is reduced below around 85dB, then the sound of your guests singing along - and their feet on the dancefloor! - will start to be audible over the musicians.

Space considerations at your event

Another consideration is how much space you have at your event. A 3-piece band will require a space around 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep. For approximate space requirements, see ‘How much space will solo artists, duos and trios need?’, below.

The prices of solo, duo and trio acts vary based on experience, demand and the equipment provided, plus travel to your event. The following averages serve as a reasonable guide for prices:

Type of Artist	Cost Range
Professional Singers	£400 - £550
Music Duos	£450 - £700
Trios	£900 - £1,100

Below are the artists that we feel are currently leading the way as the foremost popular music soloists, duos and trios in the UK right now, based on a combination of popularity, performance quality and innovation:

Most solo artists, duos and trios offer two 60-minute performances as standard, though many can play three shorter 40-minute sets, or for longer if required. Performance times can also vary depending on how you'd like entertainment to fit into your event schedule - for ceremony music or background music during a drinks' reception or as early afternoon wedding breakfast entertainment, for example.

Volumes can range from 65dB (decibels) to 110dB plus, depending on the artist, the instruments, and the acoustics of the venue. A quiet solo singer can sing at a background level of 70dB, a pianist starts at an ambient 65dB, and a cellist is a bit more full sounding at 85dB. The average volume level of most fully-amplified guitar-based trios is between 95dB - 110dB, which is pretty roof raising, with occasional volume peaks around 120dB. This is roughly equivalent to the volume of a power mower or farm tractor.

Sound Limiters

Sound limiters are not usually a problem for acoustic artists but may be a consideration if you have booked an amplified artist, such as a trio with electric guitars and drum kit. To avoid any disruption to your event, it’s worth checking with your venue whether they have a limiter and how they have it set. For more information about sound limiters click here

Get the most out of your entertainment by ensuring your artist has a comfortable amount of room in which to perform. Ideally, allow 1.5 metres square per person. Allow 2 square metres for a drummer. Space is also needed in front and to the sides of the artist to accommodate their instruments and equipment. The guide below shows how much space different types of artists require:

Type of Artist	Performance Space Required
Soloist singers	2 x 2 metres
Duos	3 x 2 metres
Trios	3 x 3 metres

Most artists of this type are pretty compact. Many soloists might bring only their instrument and a small PA unit, making them a great option for a small space. A trio party band will often require less space than their four-person counterparts.

Unloading, setting up and sound check takes around 60 minutes, depending on how close the artists can park relative to the space they're performing in. Some hotel venues may ask artists to load in via a suppliers' entrance, or use an elevator shared with caterers and staff - this can greatly extend set-up times.

After the all-important sound check, most artists will play background music from a laptop or iPod while they get changed and ready for their performance.

Once their set is complete, it takes around 45 minutes to an hour to pack down and load out.

To put on a great performance at your event, most soloists, duos and trios require:

a suitably-sized, safe, dry performance area. If performing outside, they may need cover - either from the rain or from the scorching sun!
1-4 power sockets, depending on the line-up
parking provision, preferably with easy access to the venue
a secure, lockable changing room
refreshments such as soft drinks and sometimes food, depending on how long you have booked them for.

Solo artists, duos and trios will usually provide their own PA system, microphones, backline, lighting and instruments.

Aside from finding some of the best Solo, Duo & Trios in the UK and getting expert advice from our friendly staff, one of the main reasons to hire a Solo Artist, Duo or Trio 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 Solo Artist, Duo or Trio 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 Solo, Duo & Trios for the ultimate in quality and reliability
Safe, secure booking contracts for your peace of mind
Easy enquiry and booking process
Hundreds of Acoustic Singers, Solo Singers, Music Duos, Trios to choose from
Trusted brand with over 110,000 previous clients & high-profile industry partnerships
Instant online Solo Artist, Duo or Trio 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 information on the following, see our Frequently Asked Questions:

For a more comprehensive solo artist, duo or trio booking guide please read ‘Booking Solo Artists, Duos and Trios – Everything you’ll ever need to know’.

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?

26 years providing you with the very best Solo Singers, Music Duos & Trios 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 Function Band Agency

Looking for Solo, Duo & Trios in Essex? Alive Network will help you hire the best local Essex Solo Artist, Duo or Trio, 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.

Essex Solo, Duo & TriosFind 608 Live Solo, Duo & Trios in Essex below