Hello all, Phil here! Whether you’re looking for chilled out music to complement your event, or upbeat party music and a good bit of banter, I’ve got you covered. I like to engage and have a laugh with my audience and not take myself too seriously whenever possible and appropriate (but I can also blend in and play some tasteful tunes in the background when the occasion calls for it!)
I’m a professional wedding & events musician with years of experience in the industry. All the equipment required is provided, I have all the legal jargon covered (Public liability insurance etc), but most importantly, I want to bring a good time and good music to your event!
If you want to hear a little more about me, read on! Or just have a look around my page and let me know if you have any questions at all.
Once upon a time, this entire page was written in third person, as if I was super important and had my own private editor (Hah!) Over the years I’ve come to realise that’s not who I am or the vibe I want to put across. So we’re starting fresh!
Before I tell you a little bit about myself however, I should say that when the event calls for it (such as background/restaurant events) I am more than capable of providing a professional background ambience without the music being overpowering. There’s a time and a place for lively entertainment, and the same goes for complementing an occasion with tasteful music that people can listen to and still have a chat. Alot of events also require a little bit of both!
THAT SAID…
If you give me a crowd that can handle a good time, some banter, and a pinch of humour, I’m in my element!
When I started this job years ago, I genuinely believed I couldn’t succeed as an ‘entertainer’. In my eyes, an entertainer was your typical Butlins type singer, following a script and saying ‘EVERYBODY CLAP ALONG!’
That wasn’t, isn’t, and will never be me. I’m pretty sarcastic (brought up on comedy shows, blame my Dad) and I absolutely love having a laugh and a chat with the audience in between songs. We’ll get plenty of singalong numbers in there but if you’re looking for a performer who will play songs back to back without saying a word in between, I’m probably not your guy…
Anyway, here we are years later and I’ve finally accepted that my slightly different approach goes down a treat (or so the reviews say…) Don’t get me wrong, if the crowd aren’t down for it, I can read the room and make sure to play some bangers and give everyone a good time regardless. But if the crowd is willing, then let the banter commence!
My Song List is massive, with songs from the 50s to now, so everyone will be happy, and I also like the occasional request thrown at me to keep me on my toes!
People often ask ‘will you play in my living room/back garden or is that too small an event’. The answer is yes I absolutely will, and have done countless times. I’m not Ed Sheeran so I don’t need an arena, I just need a few people up for a good time and some music!
But where have I played and what kind of events I hear you ask? Well, deep breath… Hundreds of wedding venues across the UK, hundreds of pubs, Hull City Hall, on board P&O ferries, restaurants, churches, coffee shops, funerals, corporate events, living rooms, back gardens, mansions, festivals, teepees, castles the list goes on (I’m not even joking about any of those). Music makes every event better so come on now, book me, it’ll be amazing.
Based in Hull, East Yorkshire
• A-ha – Take on Me
• Adele – Make You Feel My Love
• Aerosmith – Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing
• Aloe Blacc – I Need a Dollar
• Amy Winehouse – Valerie
• Arctic Monkeys – I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor
• Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum
• Avicii – Hey Brother
• Avicii – Wake Me Up
• Bastille – Pompeii
• Beautiful South – Don’t Marry Her
• Beautiful South – Perfect 10
• Ben E. King – Stand by Me
• Beyoncé – Ave Maria
• Beyoncé – Halo
• Bill Withers – Lean on Me
• Black Eyed Peas – Where is the Love
• Blink 182 – All the Small Things
• Blur – Parklife
• Blur – Song 2
• Bob Dylan – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
• Bob Marley – Three Little Birds
• Bobby Darin – Beyond the Sea
• Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer
• Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
• Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
• Bruno Mars – Marry You
• Bryan Adams – Heaven
• Bryan Adams – I’ll Always Be Right There
• Bryan Adams – Summer of ‘69
• Bryan Ferry – Let’s Stick Together
• Buddy Holly – Rave On
• Busted – Glad I Crashed the Wedding
• Busted – Year 3000
• Calum Scott – Dancing on My Own
• Calum Scott – You Are the Reason
• Cascada – Everytime We Touch
• Cat Stevens – Father and Son
• Cat Stevens – Wild World
• CeeLo Green – Forget You
• Chainsmokers – Closer
• Chainsmokers – Paris
• Cher – Believe
• Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey
• Christina Perry – A Thousand Years
• Christina Perry – Jar of Hearts
• Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode
• Clean Bandit – Rather Be
• Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars
• Coldplay – Yellow
• Colin Haye – Overkill
• Courteeners – Not Nineteen Forever
• Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
• Daniel Powter – Had A Bad Day
• David Gray – Babylon
• Dermot Kennedy – Outnumbered
• Dermot Kennedy – Power Over Me
• Dermot Kennedy – Rome
• Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing
• Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
• Dolly Parton – Jolene
• Don McLean – American Pie
• Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
• Ed Sheeran – Castle on the Hill
• Ed Sheeran – I See Fire
• Ed Sheeran – Lego House
• Ed Sheeran – Perfect
• Ed Sheeran – Shape of You
• Ed Sheeran – Tenerife Sea
• Ed Sheeran – The A Team
• Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
• Elbow – One Day Like This
• Electric Light Orchestra – Mr Blue Sky
• Ella Fitzgerald – Dream a Little Dream of Me
• Ella Henderson – Yours
• Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You
• Elton John – I’m Still Standing
• Elton John – Rocket Man
• Elton John – Tiny Dancer
• Elton John – Your Song
• Elvis Presley – I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
• Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock
• Erasure – A Little Respect
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
• Eva Cassidy – Songbird
• Feeder – Buck Rogers
• Fleetwood Mac – Don’t Stop
• Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
• Fountains of Wayne – Stacey’s Mom
• Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon
• Frank Turner – The Way I Tend to Be
• Garth Brooks – Friends in Low Places
• George Ezra – Blame it on Me
• George Ezra – Hold My Girl
• George Ezra – Paradise
• George Ezra – Shotgun
• George Ezra – Budapest
• George Ezra – Hold My Girl
• George Michael – Careless Whisper
• George Michael – Faith
• Gerry Cinnamon – Belter
• Gerry Cinnamon – Sometimes
• Glen Campbell – Rhinestone Cowboy
• Good Charlotte – The Anthem
• Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc.
• Gotye – Somebody that I Used to Know
• Green Day – Time of Your Life
• Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends
• Guns ‘n’ Roses – Sweet Child o’ Mine
• Harry Nilsson – Everybody’s Talkin’ at Me
• Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar
• Here Comes the Bride (Guitar Arrangement)
• Hunter Hayes – Wanted
• Imagine Dragons – Walking the Wire
• Jack Johnson – Banana Pancakes
• Jack Savoretti – Apologies
• Jack Savoretti – Written in Scars
• Jackie Wilson – (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
• Jackson 5 – Blame it on the Boogie
• James – Sit Down
• James Arthur – Falling Like the Stars
• James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
• James Bay – Hold Back the River
• James Bay – Let it Go
• James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover
• James Blunt – I’ll Be Your Man
• James Blunt – You’re Beautiful
• James Morrison – I Won’t Let You Go
• Jamie Lawson – Wasn’t Expecting That
• Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
• Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
• Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
• Jessie J – Domino
• Jessie J – Pricetag
• John Denver/Hermes House Band – Country Roads
• John Legend – All of Me
• Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
• Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
• Justin Bieber – Anyone
• Katy Perry – Firework
• Keane – Somewhere Only We Know
• Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
• Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire
• Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
• Kodaline – The One
• Kygo – Firestone
• Lady Gaga – Pokerface
• Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
• Lonestar – Amazed
• Lukas Graham – 7 Years
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
• Magic – Rude
• Marc Cohn – Walking in Memphis
• Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger
• Maroon 5 – This Love
• Marvin Gaye – Heard it Through the Grapevine
• Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
• Matt Maltese – As the World Caves In
• McFly – All About You
• McFly – Obviously
• Men at Work – Land Down Under
• Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
• Michael Bublé – Have I Told You Lately
• Mika – Big Girls
• Mumford and Sons – I Will Wait
• Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man
• Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime
• Muse – Starlight
• Neil Diamond – I Am I Said
• Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
• Neil Young – Heart of Gold
• Neil Young – Thrasher
• Newton Faulkner – Dream Catch Me
• Newton Faulkner – Feels Like Home
• Nickelback – Rockstar
• Nizlopi – JCB Song
• Oasis – Champagne Supernova
• Oasis – Don’t Look Back in Anger
• Oasis – Half the World Away
• Oasis – She’s Electric
• Oasis – Wonderwall
• One Direction – Little Things
• One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
• Otis Redding – Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay
• Owl City – Fireflies
• Paolo Nutini – Last Request
• Paolo Nutini – New Shoes
• Passenger – Let Her Go
• Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman
• Phil Oakey – Together in Electric Dreams
• Pink – Raise Your Glass
• Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
• Plain White Tees – Hey There Delilah
• Prince – Purple Rain
• Queen – I Want to Break Free
• R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly
• Radiohead – Creep
• Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Human
• Razorlight – America
• Razorlight – Before I Fall to Pieces
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under the Bridge
• Rhianna – We Found Love
• Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
• Robbie Williams – Angels
• Robbie Williams – Feel
• Rod Stewart – Handbags and Gladrags
• Rod Stewart – Maggie May
• Ronan Keating – When You Say Nothing at All
• Sam Cooke – What a Wonderful World
• Sam Smith – Money on My Mind
• Sam Smith – Stay with Me
• Scouting for Girls – Heartbeat
• Sia – Titanium
• Simon and Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson
• Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
• Stereophonics – Dakota
• Stereophonics – Handbags and Gladrags
• Steve Earle – Galway Girl
• Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
• Stevie Wonder – Superstition
• Stone Sour – Zzyzx Road
• Stone Sour/Corey Taylor – Bother
• Survivor – Eye of The Tiger
• System of a Down – Roulette
• Taio Cruz – Dynamite
• Take That – A Million Love Songs
• Take That – Back for Good
• Take That – Patience
• Take That – Rule the World
• Take That – Shine
• Take That – Up All Night
• Taylor Swift – Shake it Off
• Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
• Tenacious D – Tribute
• The Animals – House of the Rising Sun
• The Beach Boys – Sloop John B
• The Beatles – Blackbird
• The Beatles – Hard Day’s Night
• The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
• The Beatles – I Wanna Hold Your Hand
• The Beatles – Let it Be
• The Beatles – Saw Her Standing There
• The Beatles – Twist and Shout
• The Buggles – Video Killed the Radio Star
• The Calling – Wherever You Will Go
• The Commitments – Mustang Sally
• The Contours – Do You Love Me
• The Dubliners – I’ll Tell Me Ma
• The Dubliners – Whiskey in the Jar
• The Dubliners – Wild Rover
• The Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
• The Greatest Showman – A Million Dreams
• The Greatest Showman – Tightrope
• The Hoosiers – Worried About Ray
• The Housemartins – Happy Hour
• The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
• The Killers – Human
• The Killers – Mr. Brightside
• The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon
• The Kooks – Naïve
• The Kooks – She Moves in Her Own Way
• The La’s – There She Goes
• The Lumineers – Ho Hey
• The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman
• The Monkees – Daydream Believer
• The Monkees – I’m a Believer
• The Pogues – Dirty Old Town
• The Proclaimers – 500 Miles
• The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
• The Script – For the First Time
• The Script – Man Who Can’t Be Moved
• The Shires – Daddy’s Little Girl
• The Spencer Davis Group – Keep on Running
• The Strokes – Last Nite
• The Temptations – My Girl
• The Verve – Lucky Man
• The Weekend – I Feel It Coming
• The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
• The Who – Behind Blue Eyes
• Thin Lizzy – The Boys are Back in Town
• Tom Odell – Grow Old with Me
• Tom Walker – Leave a Light On
• Tom Walker – You and I
• Tones and I – Dance Monkey
• Tony Christie – Is This the Way to Amarillo
• Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight
• Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
• Train – Drive By
• Train – Hey Soul Sister
• Train – Marry Me
• U2 – With or Without You
• Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
• Vance Joy – Riptide
• Vengaboys – We’re Going to Ibiza
• Walk the Moon – Shut Up and Dance
• Westlife – World of Our Own
• Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag
• Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Approximate performance space 2 metres forward 3 metres sideways, although if space is limited I am usually able to squeeze into smaller spaces!
I bring everything required such as full PA system, and disco lighting rig when needed, you don’t need to worry about providing any equipment.
I don’t need any info as such, but if there’s anything you think would be useful just let me know! Is the venue difficult to find, is there a best way to load equipment in, are there stairs etc.
I always include playlist music in between my sets free of charge. I can also offer a DJ playlist service before or after my sets to keep the night going! Just ask me if you’d like more details.
Argh! That’s like asking me to pick a favourite child, I’ve had so many great gigs!
I think ONE of my favourites was the first ever hen do I did. I was a little nervous being the only man walking into a room of 20 hens (don’t worry I’m a pro at it now ?) but they were all absolutely lovely, they’d set up the whole thing like a festival vibe and they were dancing and singing all night. Felt like I was famous for a night haha!
Before you panic reading the answer to this question, check out my sample repertoire on here which shows you the range of stuff I play!
But this is another difficult one because the music I listened to growing up is definitely not the sort of music I perform! I liked all the rock/metal stuff. All time favourite band Linkin Park as they got me into music to begin with. But I take influence from all types of music: acoustic, jazz, classical, pop the list goes on!
I was playing on the acoustic scene from being about 15 years old, then I stopped for a while to go to uni. When I was 22 a friend asked me if I wanted to start a duo, I figured why not! Little did I know that would start my real career off.. I started my solo career more as a back up than anything but it soon became my main source of work and now I couldn’t imagine any other job, I absolutely love it!
I’ve performed at so many types of events, weddings, parties, hen dos, coffee shops, pubs, bars, house parties small and large… I refuse to pick a favourite haha.
My favourite is your event, you reading this, your event is my favourite! ?
My usual set choices are:
2 hour slot (2x45 min sets with 30 min interval)
3 hour slot (3x40 min sets with 30 min intervals)
I can put music on during any intervals if required so there are no silent periods.
Loading in and setting up usually takes me around 45 minutes.
Absolutely! Provided the weather is reliably dry I’m always happy to compliment the summer vibes with some music.
You can select a list of around 50 songs from my repertoire at:
www.philrichardsmusic.co.uk/repertoire
The larger the list the better as it allows me to select songs that you will enjoy but that I also know will work from experience. I wont end up playing all of the songs listed, but it's definitely a useful guide that allows me to use my experience and your favourites! If you prefer not to send a list that’s not a problem at all, I can gauge it myself on the day.
I’ll go for people’s most commonly used words…
Evening Party: Banter, singing, requests, dancing, fun, memorable!
Daytime (ceremony/drinks reception): Ambience, tasteful, relaxing, happy, chilled out, special!
I’ve included this question because it’s one of the most commonly asked questions. And the answer is always yes! I don’t want anyone to think that the number of guests is a factor in whether I’ll play at an event. I’ve performed in living rooms/kitchens to groups of sometimes less than 10, and they’ve been some of the best gigs I’ve done. So, absolutely yes!
Both you and I would be here a
looong time if I listed them
all, so here’s some!
Also, this is more of a ‘corporate’
style list, but don’t worry
I’ll still perform to you and
your mates at your house,
I’m not that famous…
Gino D’Acampo
Greene King
Marstons
Village Hotel
Stonegate
Dunlop
Harvester
Stonehouse
Slug and Lettuce
Tribal
Yates
Yorkshire Bank
P&O Ferries
Same again,
this is by no means all of them!
Hundreds of wedding venues
across the UK, here’s a few:
The Barn at Willerby
Little Wold Vineyard
Bunny Hill
Beverley Barn
Tickton Grange
Lazaat Hotel
Bardney Hall
Cave Castle
Carlton Towers
Riverlands
Oaklands (Grand Lodge)
Dunedin House
Middleton Lodge
Manor Rooms
Carlton Manor
And hundreds of pubs,
restaurants and other venues,
here’s a few:
Highfield House , Driffield
Blue Post, North Frodingham
Hare and Hounds, Burstwick
Masons Arms, Rotherham
Hull City Hall
Butcher’s Arms, Winterton
Fosse Hill, Jet Ski Park
Aaaand loads of people’s living rooms…