Bands to Hire at Parties

Dylan Galvin is a Berklee College of Music graduate, mentored by John Mayer, Paul Simon and Livingston Taylor. Performing across the United States since 2009, now based in the DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia), more than 1,500 events, including work for Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Lincoln, and CBRE.

The right band for a party depends on the type of event, the budget, and how much reliability matters to you. This guide breaks down the most common band types by the parties they fit best, and further down, how to think about where to actually book one, from the biggest marketplaces to a musician's own website.

What Kind of Party Are You Having?

Click any type below to jump straight to the band types that fit it best.

80's Party · 90's Party · Art Showcase Party · Baby Shower · Bachelor/Bachelorette Party · Bar, Bat Mitzvah · Birthday Party/Other Celebration · Cinco de Mayo · Corporate/Company Party · Costume Party · Dance Party · Graduation Party · Holiday Party · Luau · Pool Party · Product Release Party · Retirement Party · Sports Party · Themed Party (Toga, Nerds, Black Light, etc) · Wedding

One Man Band/Live Looping Artist

A relaxed, familiar performance built around one person, an acoustic guitar, a good sounding P.A., and a mic stand, performing warm, laid back versions of songs people already know. Live looping is what makes that one person sound like a full band, layering guitar, vocals, and rhythm in real time, so guests hear something much bigger than a single performer standing there.

Fits well: baby showers, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate and company parties, graduation parties, luaus, product release parties, retirement parties, and weddings.

What does it sound like? See and hear Dylan's own live looping performances here.

See Where to Actually Find One below for how to think about booking any of these formats.

Party/Pop/Variety Band

High energy, built for dancing and singing along. These are the loudest and most intense option on this list, usually four or more members, sometimes up to fifteen with a horn section, and a huge song list to match. They are not a low budget option.

Fits well: 80s and 90s parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, very large corporate parties, costume parties, dance parties, holiday parties, pool parties, themed parties, and larger budget weddings.

What does it sound like? Hear an example here.

See Where to Actually Find One below for how to think about booking any of these formats.

Mariachi Band

Joyful and traditional, mariachi bands are a longtime favorite for cultural celebrations and smaller gatherings. They can perform with or without amplification.

Fits well: birthday parties and celebrations, Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos, graduation parties, and pool parties.

What does it sound like? Hear an example here.

See Where to Actually Find One below for how to think about booking any of these formats.

Bluegrass/Country Band

These are traditionally themed acts, usually built around a stand up bass player, acoustic guitars, mandolin, and close vocal harmonies. They can play with or without amplification and bring an instant sense of being somewhere far from the city.

Fits well: art showcases, birthday parties and celebrations, retirement parties, themed parties, and weddings.

What does it sound like? Hear an example here.

See Where to Actually Find One below for how to think about booking any of these formats.

A Note on Sports Parties

Sports parties were left off the list above on purpose. Dylan has played a lot of venues that tried running live music and a sports broadcast on TV at the same time, and it never works. It splits the crowd across two competing forms of entertainment instead of giving them one thing to focus on. The people watching the game get frustrated by the volume of the band, and the people there for the music get frustrated competing with the game for attention and space. Neither one reflects well on the venue or the act, since neither is actually delivering a good experience while fighting the other for the room. The one exception is a live act booked specifically as a halftime or pre or post show performance for the event itself, not running alongside it. Running both at once, in the same space, at the same time, is worth avoiding.

Where to Actually Find One

Once you know which type of band fits your event, the next question is where to actually book one, and that answer depends on how much you value price versus reliability. The options below run on a rough continuum from the least expensive and least vetted to the most expensive and most reliable.

GigSalad and Gigmasters are the largest general marketplaces, with the widest selection and the least vetting, anyone can create a profile and list themselves. Thumbtack sits in the middle, with built in reviews and messaging, but it is still open to anyone who signs up. YouTube takes more effort on your end, but actually watching a full performance is one of the most honest ways to judge a musician before you ever reach out. A personal artist website is usually the most reliable option of all, because it means the musician runs their own business, keeps their own reviews and portfolio, and has built enough of a real track record that they do not need a marketplace listing to get booked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a one man band and a full party band?

A one man band, usually a solo acoustic guitarist using live looping, needs far less space, setup time, and budget than a full party band, while still filling a room with a layered, full sound. A full party band brings more raw volume and a bigger stage presence, but needs more space, a longer sound check, and a bigger budget, generally four or more members and up to fifteen with a horn section.

Do mariachi and bluegrass bands need amplification?

Both can perform with or without it, depending on the size of the space and the guest count. Smaller, more intimate gatherings often work well fully acoustic, while larger venues or louder crowds usually call for at least basic amplification.

Why is a personal artist website more reliable than a marketplace listing?

A marketplace listing can be created by literally anyone, with no real vetting beyond the reviews left on that platform. A musician with their own website has usually built a real, standalone business, with their own portfolio, references, and reputation to protect, which is a different level of accountability than a marketplace profile.

Can I hire live music for a corporate event that will also have sports on in the background?

It is best avoided. Running a live band alongside a sports broadcast in the same room splits everyone's attention and tends to frustrate both crowds. If sports are part of the event, book the music as a distinct segment, such as a pre-show or halftime performance, rather than running both at once.

If none of these are quite the right fit, or you are not sure which format makes sense for your event, feel free to reach out and we can help you figure it out.