A challenge for you: picture a dance floor heaving with guests ranging in age from bouncing toddlers to groovy grannies. What music is playing? Which artists immediately spring to mind? We’re betting you’ve pictured at least one legendary soul and Motown artist, someone like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight – the list is seemingly endless. There’s nothing quite like this enduringly popular style of music to encourage guests of all ages onto the dance floor at a wedding reception.

The irresistible grooves, the flashy costumes, the velvety vocals, the immortal tunes; it’s no wonder soul and Motown wedding bands are always in such high demand. Soul wedding bands specialise in giving you and your guests a fun-packed night of dancing and singing that’ll leave you all sore-footed and hoarse-voiced – and loving it. It’s not all high-intensity dancing either; there’s nothing like a smooth and soulful ballad to create a moment of pure romance.

These exciting bands are surprisingly varied, with some focusing purely on classic soul, Motown, funk and disco and others branching out into more modern forms like Hip Hop and R’n’B, incorporating modern masters like Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé into their set lists. Whether you’re strictly old school or you want to mix in something a little more contemporary, one things for sure, you can rely on a soul and Motown band to give you a wild, adrenaline-fuelled introduction to married life.

Read on to discover the soul and Motown wedding band for you:

Sharp Soul

More than just a function band, Sharp Soul are a premier 5 to 12-piece soul, funk, disco and Motown ensemble with the ability to pack out any dance floor. This acclaimed band have been together for over a decade, travelling the world and astonishing audiences with their exhilarating show. If the vocal abilities and musical skills of the band weren’t enough, Sharp Soul’s singers, guitarist and sax players take audience interaction to the next level, joining you and your guests on the floor for an unforgettable party.

Dirty Pop

Dirty Pop are one of the hottest and most innovative function bands in the world right now. As well as being a contemporary pop and rock wedding band who perform sizzling sets of modern medleys, Dirty Pop can switch things up and deliver all the classic soul and Motown you and your guests can handle.

Groove Station

Groove Station are everything you could wish for in a soul and Motown wedding band. Fronted by some of the UK’s top soulful vocalists and featuring seasoned session musicians, Groove Station perform astounding, authentic renditions of huge hits by the likes of James Brown, Chic, Earth Wind and Fire, and Chaka Khan. Groove Station can also serve up a curated selection of rare funk and acid jazz for those who spend their spare time trawling record shops for treasure.

Motown Temptation

Take a trip back to when Motown ruled the charts with Motown Temptation, a group dubbed the ‘ultimate Motown experience’. Motown Temptation bring the Motown era to life through soaring vocal harmonies, jaunty choreography and stunning costumes. As well as evoking the sights and sounds of the sixties and seventies, these guys can play – the band members have, in the past, performed alongside world famous artists like Jessie J and Britney Spears.

Afro Soul

Funky and fresh, Soleil are a globe-trotting 7-12-piece show band who are internationally known for their sumptuous vocal harmonies, out-of-this-world showmanship and extraordinary musical talent. Drawing comparisons with the atmosphere found at a Broadway or West End show, Soleil’s live performance must be seen to be believed. Blending the best in modern music with all the biggest soul, funk and Motown floor-fillers, Soleil will shake the room to its foundations.

Funk Soul Unlimited

Funk Soul Unlimited are an experienced live band fronted by two charismatic lead vocalists, each with his own distinctive style: one supplies the ‘Soul’, the other brings the ‘Funk’. This pair of sensational singers are backed by top-class musicians for a tight, rhythmic exhibition of infectiously vibrant music that’ll have everyone in the room up on their feet.

Lady Strut

Now for something a little different… Lady Strut combine effortlessly powerful soul vocals with the current trend for festival folk music at weddings. With an eclectic repertoire of songs, Lady Strut are adept at entertaining mixed audiences. And it’s not only the band’s repertoire that’s wide-ranging; Lady Strut offer an acoustic roaming set, where they’ll wander amongst your guests, giving them a unique and interactive show.

Uptown

Uptown pride themselves on their authentic delivery of smooth soul and funk cuts by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Gil Scott-Heron and Dr John. This fantastic funk collective have been supplying lavish grooves since 2011, teaming up with respected artists like Kenny Thomas, Bizarre Inc and Keith Tippet and whipping up audiences at hundreds of weddings.

How To Hire A Wedding Band To Fill Your Dance Floor

Hopefully you enjoyed this rundown of the top soul and Motown wedding bands in the UK right now. If you’ve been tempted to get one of the bands booked in for your own wedding reception, then make sure you snap them up before someone else does! To enquire about a band, simply visit their profile over at www.entertainment-nation.co.uk and fill out the short enquiry form. Entertainment Nation’s team of friendly, expert wedding entertainment advisers are available every day between 10am and 10pm to help you find your perfect wedding entertainment.