Folk Bands for Hire

Hire Folk Bands in the UK

Folk bands have become one of the most popular choices for weddings and events in recent years, driven in large part by the success of artists like Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. The bands on this page range from traditional folk ensembles performing English, Irish and Scottish songs and instrumentals through to modern indie-folk groups that take chart hits and rework them with acoustic guitars, banjos, fiddles, double bass and cajons. Whether you want a gentle acoustic set for a drinks reception or a foot-stomping festival atmosphere for a barn wedding, the selection here covers the full range. If you are looking specifically for Celtic music with caller-led dancing, our ceilidh bands page covers that format. For dedicated Irish acts, see our Irish bands page.

Folk bands for weddings

Weddings are the biggest market for folk bands, and the style is a natural fit for the festival-themed, rustic and outdoor weddings that have grown hugely in popularity. A folk band works well at barn venues, tipi weddings, marquee receptions and country house estates where the organic, acoustic sound matches the setting. Many folk bands offer two distinct sets: a softer acoustic set for the drinks reception or wedding breakfast, followed by a higher-energy evening performance that gets guests on the dance floor. Some also offer a roaming option, where the musicians move through the crowd during the afternoon rather than performing from a fixed stage. For other wedding entertainment that complements a folk band, our acoustic bands and wedding bands pages are worth exploring.

Traditional folk vs indie-folk

It is worth thinking about which end of the folk spectrum suits your event. Traditional folk bands focus on authentic material: English folk songs, Irish and Scottish jigs and reels, sea shanties and ballads performed on instruments like fiddle, concertina, melodeon, guitar and bodhran. This style suits events where you want an atmospheric, rootsy sound. Indie-folk bands, by contrast, take the acoustic instrumentation of folk and apply it to modern pop and rock songs, creating upbeat, festival-ready arrangements that appeal to a broad audience. Most indie-folk bands build their setlists around artists like Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Fleetwood Mac and Ed Sheeran. Many bands on this page sit somewhere in the middle, mixing traditional folk pieces with contemporary covers.

Instruments and lineup sizes

Folk bands range from duos to six or seven-piece groups. A typical four-piece might feature a singer/guitarist, double bass player, percussionist (often on cajon rather than a full drum kit) and a fiddle or banjo player. Larger lineups add mandolins, whistles, accordions, harmonicas or brass. The mix of instruments defines the band's sound: a banjo and double bass give a more Americana or indie-folk feel, while fiddle and accordion lean towards Celtic or traditional English folk. Smaller acoustic lineups suit intimate settings and venues with sound restrictions, while bigger bands can fill larger rooms and create a festival-level atmosphere.

Festival-style and outdoor events

Folk bands are a natural fit for outdoor and festival-style events beyond weddings. Garden parties, summer fetes, corporate away days, charity fundraisers and themed birthday celebrations all suit the folk format. Many folk bands can perform entirely acoustically without mains power, making them ideal for outdoor settings, fields and marquees where running power to the performance area is difficult. For events with a country or Americana theme, our country bands page covers that style, and for roaming acoustic entertainment, our strolling and roaming bands page lists acts that move through the crowd.

Folk band pricing

Folk band prices currently range from £100 to £3304, with an average of £776. Pricing depends on the number of musicians, the length of the booking, the day of the week and travel distance. Acoustic duos and trios sit at the lower end, while larger four or five-piece bands with full PA cost more. Summer Saturdays are the most competitive dates for folk wedding bands. Use the price comparison section on this page to compare rates across the listings, and contact individual acts for an accurate quote based on your event.