Steel Drum Bands for Hire Near Me

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, a steel drum band, or steel band, is a music group that plays percussive music on steel pans. They play a variety of Caribbean and reggae music, as well as steel drum renditions of modern genres like classic rock, pop, classical, and beyond.

On average, professional steel drum bands cost $500-$800. The exact price will vary depending on your location, the length of the performance, the size of the band, and their skill and experience.

Most steel drum bands will have a pre-determined repertoire of songs they pull from when building their set list for a special event. You can review the song options in advance and let them know if there are any you want to be sure are included.

If there is a specific song not on their song list that you would like performed, many bands will be able to learn it if given enough notice. Make this request as soon as possible so they have time to practice and perfect the performance.

The amount of space required for a steel drum performance will depend on the number of musicians. Each steel drum is about the size of an oil barrel so one artist won’t need much space but a full band might need at least 12x12 feet of space. When hiring a steel band or musician, be sure to discuss the venue setup and dimensions in advance to ensure everything will go smoothly on the day of the event.

Caribbean music and steel drum performances are great for a variety of events including weddings, corporate events, summer block parties, cultural festivals, and more.

Keep in mind that the percussive nature of Caribbean steel drums makes them hard to ignore (or talk over). If you’re looking for background music during a dinner party or while guests mingle, you may want to consider a solo steel drum player or a different type live band with more mellow music.

Earlier is always better to secure the steel drum band of your choice. That being said, a few months should be enough time to browse vendors, communicate with your top choices, and secure the band that best suits your needs.