Cover Bands Greater Manchester | Hire Award Winning Live Music

Find 332 Live Cover Bands in Greater Manchester below.

These are the perfect live bands for corporate events, weddings & parties in the Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester only at Alive Network, the UK's biggest music agency.

174,093 Events Made Awesome So Far

Read over 15,256 Cover Band reviews here

Gold Rush Cover Band Review Wedding Greater Manchester

5 stars - Gold Rush are Highly Recommended

“What a band! We had the pleasure of having these guys run our entertainment at our wedding in May. Amazing performance, incredibly professional and a collection of songs that will blow your socks off! Our guests had a fantastic time. Couldn't recommend them enough. look no further!”

Paul B booked Gold Rush for their Wedding

The Royale Cover Band Review Wedding Greater Manchester

5 stars - The Royale are Highly Recommended

“The Royale went above and beyond our expectations as the wedding band. It was non-stop dancing! Great song choices. We were looking for a band that weren't cheesy and these guys delivered. Both me, the wife and family and friends were raving about the band. Delighted with their performance and keepi...”

John C booked The Royale for their Wedding at Styal Lodge in Greater Manchester

Drive Cover Band Review Private Party Greater Manchester

5 stars - Drive are Highly Recommended

“We’ve had so many comments from guests about how much they enjoyed them. They were absolutely fantastic. I’ve wanted to hire an ‘Indie cover band’ for many years and when I finally did I couldn’t have hoped for anything more - they were fantastic. As an a...”

Daniel C booked Drive for their event at Glossop Cricket Club in Greater Manchester

Fresh Beats Cover Band Review Private Party Greater Manchester

5 stars - Fresh Beats are Highly Recommended

“It was great to have Fresh Beats at our party last weekend. Thank you for the recommendation, they were the perfect fit and we were very, very happy!”

Shannon booked Fresh Beats for their event

Amazing Venues

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

The Midland Hotel M60 2DS
Rivington Hall Barn BL6 7SB
Victoria Warehouse M17 1AB
The Lowry M50 3AZ
Didsbury House Hotel M20 5LJ
Great John Street Hotel M3 4FD
Hilton Manchester Deansgate M3 4LQ
The Castlefield Rooms M3 4LZ
Haigh Hall WN2 1PE
Manchester Hall M3 3BT
The White Hart Inn at Lydgate OL4 4JJ
Radisson Edwardian Hotel M2 5GP
King Street Townhouse M2 4AW
Lancashire County Cricket Ground M16 0PX
Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel WN1 2XN

Grat John Street Hotel M3 4FD
Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport M90 3RA
The Monastery M12 5WF
Worsley Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club M28 2QT
De Vere Whites BL6 6SF
Didsbury Sports Ground M20 2RU
Etrop Grange M90 4EG
Hilton M3 4LQ
Hyde Bank Farm SK6 4DZ
intu Trafford Centre M17 8AA
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel M1 4PH
Saddleworth Hotel OL3 5LX
Stables Country Club BL8 1PU
The Old Grammar School M24 6BR
Victoria Baths M13 0FE

Worsley Park M28 2QT
Dunham Massey Village Hall WA14 4SE
Cloud 23 M3 4LQ
Monastery Of St Francis & Gorton Trust M12 5WF
Old Trafford - Manchester United Football Club M16 0RA
The Bolholt Hotel BL8 1PU
Village Hotel Bury BL9 7BQ
Albert's Worsley M27 0AA
Red Hall Hotel BL9 5NA
Selfridges & Co M3 1BD
The Deaf Institute M1 7HE
The Lowry Hotel M3 5LH
The Parkfield Inn M45 7GT
Britannia Country House Hotel M20 2WG
Bramhall Golf Club SK7 2EY

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 Greater Manchester

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 Greater Manchester Cover Band Agency

Looking for Cover Bands in Greater Manchester? Alive Network will help you hire the best local Greater Manchester Cover Band, with acts available in Abram, Altrincham, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Atherton, Bolton, Bramhall, Buckley, Bury, Chadderton, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Eccles, Failsworth, Farnworth, Gatley, Golborne, Hale, Hazel Grove, Heywood, Hindley, Horwich, Hyde, Ince in Makerfield, Irlam, Kearsley, Leigh, Little Lever, Littleborough, Manchester, Marple, Middleton, Milnrow, Mossley, Oldham, Pendlebury, Prestwich, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Rochdale, Romiley, Royton, Sale, Salford, Shaw, Stalybridge, Standish, Stockport, Stretford, Swinton, Tyldesley, Urmston, Walkden, Westhoughton, Whitefield, Wigan, Worsley

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.

Greater Manchester Cover BandsFind 332 Live Cover Bands in Greater Manchester below