The Best Folky Bands and Singers for Hire! 15 brilliant recommendations from Entertainment Nation

Published by Claire Gould on

When Mumford & Sons kicked open the doors for the indie folk scene over ten years ago, they pulled the genre from dowdy to dramatic, and a flood of similar acts were caught up in the rising tide of popular folk. Now one of the most popular wedding band hire choices for newlyweds (helped by their rustic vibes and fairy lights), there’s a staggering choice of Mumford style folk bands for weddings to make your big day special. But if you’re looking for your dream wedding band, who do you choose?

We’ve put together a selection of the very best rootsy talent the UK has to offer. Below you’ll find solo singer-guitarists, dynamic acoustic duos, tidy trios, roaming ensembles, as well as bands both modern and traditional, including authentic roots-driven folk acts, and festival wedding bands who perform acoustic twists on modern songs. Have a listen and see which style you love!

Wandering Wings

 

Based in West Midlands, available nationwide.

No-one lifts spirits like Wandering Wings! This superbly talented male fronted 5-piece band are by far one of the finest live folk bands available for hire today, using great vocals and piano, guitar, bass, drums and sax to fill your venue with rich sound and lift everyone’s mood to the sky. Whether you’re looking for mellow romantic vibes for a soothing ceremony or uplifting pop sets to get your guests on the dance floor, Wandering Wings are equipped with a huge variety of songs and line-ups. From vintage jazz standards to modern chart hits, they’ve got something for everyone, and with years of experience appearing on stage across Europe, in top venues like Wembley Stadium, on screen, and over the airwaves, these guys know how to make any event shine, big or small!

 

The Lightmen

 

Based in West Midlands, available nationwide.

There’ll be no shadows hanging over your event when The Lightmen bring their sunshine! With smiles and silky sounds, they’ll add a folky flair to your big day with soaring three-part harmonies and a tight trio of guitar, drums, and a double bass. It’s not just folk songs from the likes of George Ezra, The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons though – The Lightmen cover your favourite chart toppers, floor-filling indie favourites, classic rock and roll, anthemic rock legends, and the smoothest soul and funk numbers, all in their vibrant and cheerful style that’s just as good as the bigger bands.

 

Young Folksmen

 

Based in London, available nationwide.

Every beat from Young Folksmen’s infectious rhythm is like a steam train, cutting the air and charging through electrifying festival and folk sets into invigorating traditional Irish dance music. Topping it off is their indie rock set, the perfect way to round out a stellar performance. Their refreshing sound will leave you buzzing long after the last note has finished, and may even introduce you to a few songs you never knew you loved!

 

Gentlemen Roamers

 

Based in London, available nationwide.

Get your guests singing along with the Gentlemen Roamers! Rave reviews follow this wandering troupe of talented musicians wherever they go – and you’ll be following them too, when their infectious repertoire draws you in! Starting out as a 3-piece acoustic band with male lead vocals, two guitars and sax, their entirely acoustic performance has all the feel-good favourites you need to create some sunshine or simply enjoy it – nobody can resist a smile when the Gentlemen Roamers brighten your day, especially if you throw in double-bass and drums for the full experience!

 

The Peaky Blinders

 

Based in West Midlands, available nationwide.

A folky-four piece with dreamboat boy-band vocals, The Peaky Blinders have enjoyed spellbinding popularity since they first began performing as a duo over ten years ago! Now as an easy-going ensemble tied together by a love of music, every show is a seamless, laid-back, sunny experience of folky tunes, old favourites, and popular hits derived from over a decade of performative experience across the world.

 

Interstate 24

 

Based in Somerset, available nationwide.

Go on a journey with Interstate 24! This foot-tappingly good folk band have combined the throwback charm of Berlin rock and roll band The Baseballs and Mumford & Sons’ distinctive London folk style. The result is a superbly talented 4-piece band bringing a feel-good atmosphere with their blend of rock, pop, funk, soul, country and Motown songs in a folky-gig style! With two acoustic guitars, drums, bass, and backing vocals, these guys will put their spin on your favourites and shake things up for a totally unforgettable performance!

 

The Scenes

 

Based in Manchester, available nationwide.

The Scenes are a trio of exceptionally talented singer-songwriters who deliver soulful original material and put their hearts into every cover. Shaped by the lively and historic streets of Manchester, The Scenes enchant with a percussionist, two guitars, three-part harmonies, and a vast selection of pop, rock and folk renditions from the decades.

 

The Railroad Two

 

Based in Devon, available nationwide.

Captivating duo The Railroad Two have perfected their vocal harmonies and uplifting repertoire of chilled-out pop, buoyant folk and cherished anthems. Sympathetic male and female vocals, stomp box, acoustic guitar, concertina and accordion come together with 5 years of professional performative experience for an easy-going show that charms audiences all over Europe. Here’s a pair that can make a wedding special!

 

Roaming Free

 

Based in London, available nationwide.

Setting the benchmark for the acoustic roaming band is Roaming Free, an unrivalled ensemble of incredible musicians who seem to have worked for every corporate client and company under the sun (and that list keeps growing!). With crowd-winning repertoires, dashing dress sense and the option to wander among your guests or go static, Roaming Free are a 5-piece all male master band with spine-tingling vocal harmonies who deliver a sensational show every time.

 

Mona Vale Acoustics

 

Based in West Midlands, available nationwide.

Offering a fresh, folky and wholesome take on your favourite pop and rock hits are Mona Vale Acoustics, an exciting and highly educated duo with experience playing across the world! Their live lounge acoustic style is the perfect way to kick back and relax for some intimate or romantic moments during your drinks reception or wedding ceremony – and if you’re looking for something more upbeat, they’ll get you dancing through the night with their covers of all the best chart-toppers!

 

PJ Myers

 

Based in Rutland, available nationwide.

A passionate and bombastic one-man tour-de-force, PJ Myers proves you can strip things back to the bare essentials and want for nothing more! His covers of The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin come complete with sax solos and orchestral crescendos, while his singer-songwriter covers make the ultimate romantic accompaniment to your relaxed drinks or romantic ceremony. From rambunctious bluegrass numbers to his expertly crafted pop and rock classics, everything you need for an unforgettable performance is here with PJ!

 

The Rattling Dogs

 

Based in West Yorkshire, available nationwide.

Show your guests how folk is really done! Cast aside the London folk scene for some true Irish, Scottish and English folk with The Rattling Dogs, a highly experienced cèilidh band of caller, fiddle, mandolin, flute and guitar! This authentic band all throw their vocals into the mix to give you a fun, exciting, and unique experience that’ll have all your guests interacting. Their caller has over 15 years of experience in the business, so even those with two left feet have nothing to fear when the dancing starts!

 

Old Ties

 

Based in London, available nationwide.

A combination of vocals, double bass and guitar is always a sublime way to while away the night! With a repertoire packed with favourites from Mumford & Sons, George Ezra, The Jackson 5, The Killers, Bruno Mars, and many, many more, you can see Old Ties have worked hard to make sure you’ve got a song for every moment on your special occasion. The duo can even throw in their own original compositions to give you an extra special performance!

 

Folk Flock

 

Based in Buckinghamshire, available nationwide.

Nothing beats the infectiousness of a band who simply love what they do, and do it well! Easily one of the best Mumford & Sons inspired bands, Folk Flock flew onto the scene and whipped up a storm with their sunny repertoire of well-loved songs from the likes of The Lumineers, The Beatles, George Ezra, Bruno Mars, James Bay, Blur, and – you guessed it – Mumford & Sons! Performing as a 3- or 4-piece, these guys are rising stars of the UK folk scene you won’t want to miss.

 

Big T

 

Based in Surrey, available nationwide.

A blend of acoustic and electric, Big T are all you need for any event! Their massive repertoire mixes up pop, rock, folk, soul, funk, R&B, indie ska, reggae, dance, Latin, and rock and roll (we hope we didn’t miss any!). The band have been performing together since 2010, and throw in a staggering amount of options for you to choose from, so they’re truly suited to every client! Whether you just want their chilled-out solo performer, their dynamic guitar and percussion duo, their exciting trio with bass player, or the full blown ensemble with keys player, every performance is a crowd-winning sensation whether you’re winding things down or raising the roof!

 

Interested in hiring a Folky Band or Singer?

We hope our folky bands and artists have provided plenty of entertainment for you! Did any in particular catch your eye? Remember, If you’ve got your big day planned and you’re looking for an authentic folk band or some talented troubadours to create an extra special atmosphere, be sure to get in touch with the Entertainment Nation team – we’ve got all the bands above and many, many more!

We cover the whole of the UK, so whether you’re looking for wedding bands in the South East, or Midlands-based wedding entertainment, you’ll find a wealth of top-rated acts with Entertainment Nation.

Whatver your preferences, our expert advisers know just what it takes to match you with your dream band, and we’re dedicated to providing a totally seamless and hassle-free booking experience. Why not head over to Entertainment Nation now to discover even more bands, or chat with our team?


Claire Gould

Claire spends her days writing - either in beautiful calligraphy or online. She lives on the edge of the English Lake District only minutes away from the beach, where she loves to escape and unwind. Claire's calligraphy can be found at www.byMoonandTide.com. Claire launched the English Wedding Blog in November 2009 - it's been a top 10 UK wedding blog ever since, with a regional focus we hope you LOVE.

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