One Man Bands for Hire Near Me

A one man band is a single musician that plays multiple instruments at the same time. This can be as simple as an acoustic guitar in their hands with a harmonica mounted around their neck. More complex setups may include playing guitar and harmonica while also having a bass drum on their back, symbols between their legs, and tambourines on their ankles.

There are many configurations and types of one man bands. Some may also use electronic pedal keyboards to loop different sounds and harmonies. The ultimate goal is to sound like a full band as a single performer.

On average, a one man band costs $100-$250 per hour. The exact price will vary depending on your location, the length of the event, and the musician’s skill level. Musicians who have mastered playing multiple instruments at one time and have years of experience performing live music will often come at a higher price. But they’re worth every penny!

Typically, gratuity is 15–25% and is based on your experience with the performer. You’ll want to factor in the quality of the performance, reception from your guests, and the musician’s professionalism. Tipping is industry standard and greatly appreciated by the musician.

One man bands perform across many musical genres, but every individual performer is likely to have a specialty. Popular genres include top 40, pop, rock, country, R&B, jazz, and oldies. When searching for the perfect vendor, listen to sample audio recordings or watch provided performances to ensure their musical style fits the mood of your event.

Be sure to review their song list to see which popular hits the one man band covers. Some artists play a mix of covers and originals but are open to tailoring the setlist to your preferences and requests. If there’s a specific song you want that isn’t in their existing repertoire, make that request well in advance so they have plenty of time to learn it if they can.

One man bands are great for all types of events, but their size makes them especially suitable for small to medium-sized celebrations. They are often booked for birthdays, corporate events, wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, holiday parties, and more. Some one man bands can even deliver singing telegrams!

Every musician has their own preferences, but most are willing to travel under the right circumstances. Because one man bands generally have multiple instruments, they might be limited to driving distances only. For gigs over 45-60 miles away, there may be additional costs to cover gas and travel time. For even further distances, hotel accommodations may also be required.