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Swing Time

From £3,400

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £3,400

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

If you are looking for Big Band for your wedding or event, playing Swing & Jazz along with Motown and Pop, then Swing Time are the answer. Get your dancing shoes on and be ready to swing the night away...

Swing Time are a sensational swing and soul band performing a huge range of hits from the Big Band, Rat Pack, Soul & Motown eras. With a distinctive sound and unrivalled performance, they are guaranteed to transform the atmosphere of your event.

  • A sensational function band consisting of highly experienced professional swing and soul musicians
  • A huge repertoire featuring classic songs from the Swing, Rat Pack, Soul and Motown eras - designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
  • Exceptional female vocals accompanied by an outstanding rhythm section and horn section
  • Additional male vocals, female vocals, percussion, strings and dancers can be added for an even more energetic show
  • Constantly in demand performing at corporate and private events in London and throughout the UK and internationally
  • Self-contained for all events with top-quality lights and sound equipment
  • Music provided between sets free of charge
  • Available in smaller line-ups with small jazz, soul or pop bands for earlier in the day - with great discounts if booked together with the main band
  • Also able to provide classical or contemporary music including string quartet for wedding ceremonies

Recently described by Deborah Meaden (BBC's Dragons' Den) as "exceptional", Swing Time are a sensational 6- to 18-piece function band. They have a reputation as one of the most flexible party bands in the UK – starting the evening with up-tempo jive and swing numbers to get audiences of all ages on the dancefloor, before moving on to pop, Motown and soul music to keep you there all night.

Please note that the instant quote price is for the 6 piece band (featured in the Reet Petite video). If you'd like to enquire about hiring a different version of this outstanding act, please get in touch via info@hireaband.co.uk or give us a call on 0141 413 4060 and chat to an entertainment expert.

 

Listen

Set list

Swing
.
Frank Sinatra:
Come Fly With Me
Fly Me to the Moon
For Once in My Life
Have You Met Miss Jones
I Get a Kick Out of You
I've Got You Under My Skin
The Lady is a Tramp
Luck Be a Lady
Mack the Knife
Me & My Shadow (M)
New York, New York
That's Life
The Way You Look Tonight
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Witchcraft
Dean Martin - Ain't That a Kick in the Head
Dean Martin - Sway
Dean Martin - That's Amore (M)
Nat 'King' Cole:
Almost Like Being in Love
Let There Be Love
Let's Face the Music and Dance
L-O-V-E
Route 66
Straighten Up and Fly Right
Michael Bublé - All of Me
Michael Bublé - Call Me Irresponsible
Michael Bublé - Moondance
Ella Fitzgerald - Cheek to Cheek
Ella Fitzgerald - Mas Que Nada
Etta James - At Last
Kenny Ball - I Wanna Be Like You (from "The Jungle Book")
Louis Prima - Jump Jive & Wail
Louis Prima - Just a Gigolo (M)
Louis Jordan - Ain't Nobody Here but us Chickens
Louis Jordan - Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
Louis Armstrong - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Nina Simone - Feeling Good
Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
Harry Connick Jr. - It Had To Be You* (M)
Peggy Lee - Why Don't You Do Right
Doris Day - Que Sera Sera
Natalie Cole - Orange Coloured Sky
Bobby Darin:
Beyond The Sea
Fiorella
Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano (from The Talented Mr. Ripley)
Benny Goodman:
Sing Sing Sing
Glenn Miller:
American Patrol
Chattanooga Choo Choo
In the Mood
Moonlight Serenade
Pennsylvania 6-5000
Count Basie - All of Me
Count Basie - Well Alright, Okay, You Win
Robbie Williams & Various - Puttin' on the Ritz
Paolo Nutini - Pencil Full of Lead
Rosemary Clooney - Mambo Italiano
Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite
Jackie Wilson - Twistin' the Night Away
.
Vintage Covers
.
Crazy In Love
Bad Romance
Umbrella
Plug in Baby
Livin' on a Prayer
All About That Bass
Roar
Gangsta's Paradise
Shake it Off
Titanium
No Diggity
Rockabye
.
Soul, Motown & Pop
.
Medley 1: Motown
Dancing in the Street
Heard it Through the Grapevine
Rescue Me
I Say a Little Prayer for You
Medley 2: Motown
Think
RESPECT
You Can't Hurry Love
Medley 3:
Young Hearts Run Free
For Once in My Life
Sir Duke
Medley 4: Divas
Best of My Love
I'm Every Woman
Finally
Lady Marmalade
Medley 5: Pop
Treasure
Wrapped Up
Uptown Funk
Medley 6: Pop
Hey Ya
Happy
Forget You
.
Stevie Wonder:
For Once in My Life
Isn't She Lovely
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Sir Duke
Superstition
Michael Jackson & Jackson 5:
Blame it on the Boogie
Rock With You
I Want You Back
Aretha Franklin:
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
I Say a Little Prayer For You
Respect
Think
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Until You Come Back To Me
Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up
Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody
Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
LaBelle - Lady Marmalade
The Emotions - Best of My Love
Marvin Gaye - Heard It Through The Grapevine
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (M)
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
James Brown - I Feel Good
James Taylor - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
Andy Williams - Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Billy Joel - Just The Way You Are
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Streets
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Heatwave
Natalie Cole - (This Will Be) An Everlasting Love
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
Tom Jones - It's Not Unusual
Earth, Wind and Fire - September
Etta James - I Just Wanna Make Love to You
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Bruno Mars - Treasure
Dolly Parton - 9 to 5
Otis Redding - My Girl
Van Morrison - Moondance
The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
CeCe Peniston - Finally
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks of My Tears (M)
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Barry White - The First, The Last, My Everything
CeLo Green - Forget You
Dusty Springfield - Am I The Same Girl
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Rose Royce - Car Wash
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
OutKast - Hey Ya
.
CHRISTMAS Repertoire
.
Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
Ella Fitzgerald - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Ella Fitzgerald - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
Eartha Kitt/Kylie Minogue - Santa Baby
Andy Williams - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Frank Sinatra - Let It Snow
Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters - Jingle Bells
Michael Buble
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Nat 'King' Cole - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (The Christmas Song)
Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Various - Baby It's Cold Outside

Reviews (22)

Thank you for all the amazing work you did on the 30th! We absolutely loved the band and all the music, as did our family and friends!!! And we could not have done this without your help and guidance (and a ton of patience, for which I am extremely grateful!).
We have just voted for the band in The Wedding Industry Awards, and here's what we put in our comments:
"We are thrilled that we chose Swing Time as our wedding band. A fantastic group of musicians who made our day so much more special. Mike (band manager) was extremely helpful throughout, guiding us through the various options - from the band's outfits to music choices. We booked the band for the whole day, including jazz sets during the reception, ceremony music, first dance, and two hours of dancing! They were absolutely amazing and their performance (music, sound, etc) was just perfect!
We felt that the band would be a perfect fit for our wedding (and music taste). The band is extremely versatile and professional, which certainly made our decision easier, as we knew we could trust them with all of our music needs for the day (they performed from 1:30pm until about 11pm). As my ratings show, we could not have been happier with our choice - and would not hesitate to recommend Swing Time to anyone who is looking for a superb wedding band!”

"We hired Swing Time for our summer wedding, and couldn't have been happier with them. They are super efficient and easy to communicate with, making the whole process of booking them really straightforward and stress-free.
The band itself is just brilliant: all our guests said so and the dance floor was full throughout their set. They really made the event.
Swing Time are so friendly, accommodating, talented and professional that we would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone!

A quick email to say thank you so much to you and the rest of the band for Saturday. We are so pleased we chose you to play at our wedding - you were absolutely brilliant.
I love the fact we managed to sneak in a dance together before the rest of the guests made it to the dancefloor. That was a lovely a really memorable moment for us.
Thank you so much for dealing so admirably with our wedding overrunning. We are sad not to have had 2 full hours of Swing Time, but we were delighted with what we did have.

We thought Swing Time did an outstanding job and so did all of our friends and family. Everyone could not stop raving about how great the music was. Honestly, we wouldn't have changed a thing and were so impressed. Most of all, it was so special to hear New York, New York as a closing song and we really appreciate your initiative to create those extra special touches for us! Without a doubt, we would recommend Swing Time to any other friends getting married.

Dear Mike, I know I thanked you on the night but just wanted to do so again in the cold light of day. You and your band were fantastic, not just brilliant at the music but also lovely, helpful and a total pleasure to work with.
Thank you so much and please pass my thanks on to your team.
My Mother literally had the party of her life and you were a big part of that.... you were exceptional.

What a fantastic band! We booked Swing Time for a Charity Gala Ball, and what a wonderful addition to the event they were. All our guests made for the dance floor and were thoroughly entertained and I can't recommend them highly enough. Delightful people and they certainly add value to your event!

Dear Mike, we wanted to say a huge thank you for being part of our wedding. From the classical music during the ceremony to the full 9-piece jazz band in the evening, the music was just perfect. We have been fans of Swing Time for a long time and have always said you would be amazing to have at a wedding so we are so pleased you could play for us on our special day. We have had so many comments from our guests about how fantastic the band was and you were definitely one of the highlights of the day. You never fail to get everyone dancing!
We are also very grateful for the music you provided for our wedding video. The live recordings have made the videos so personal and bring back the best memories of the day. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you promote this option to other couples in the future.
Hopefully see you at a Swing Time event soon.

Dear Mike, I’m sorry for not writing to you sooner to say thank you for everything. You and the band were superb - especially given the massive delay before you were able to perform, and the fact that we forgot to bring the interval playlist(s)! Our guests were extremely complimentary and said they really enjoyed the band and the dancing. So thank you - and thank you for making it all so easy for us too.
I hope that we get to see you perform again in the not too distant future.

This talented group of young musicians under the mentorship of Mike Paul-Smith played recently at my 50th birthday celebration. I can honestly say that the band were not merely a part of the party, but that they made the party. The standard of musicianship and the panache with which they perform is a credit to them. They gave my family and 200 guests a lot of fun and ensured the evening went with a swing. Without exception the feedback from my friends was that they have not enjoyed an evening as much as this in a long time. Do not hesitate to book these guys. They're great!

Hi Mike, I thought I would email you to thank you for your brilliant performance at our wedding. We both thought you were fantastic and really helped finish the day off with some outrageous dancing! Thank you as well for being so flexible and accommodating with your equipment so that we could play as well, it made everything much easier!! When we were planning the wedding, my father didn't think that we needed a band and wanted to have a disco set up but I am so pleased that I persevered. He is now eating his words and is glad that I persevered too! Well, If I ever need a band booked in the future of if anyone needs a band recommended, I will definitely come back to you.

Dear Mike, Sarah and Jami are, of course, on honeymoon. However I couldn't wait until they return to send our own thank-you for your fantastic music at our daughter's wedding last Saturday. You were absolutely perfect and really hit the spot getting all ages on the floor - from age four to ninety! We will highly recommend you.

Swing Time played recently at the Royal Latin School Year 11 Ball and were simply magnificent. Not only did they get everyone in the room dancing, they brought an air of class and sophistication to the evening which certainly made my night, and everybody else's too. The music was excellent, a joy to listen to, and I would recommend them without hesitation to anybody looking for a live band.

To Mike and all the guys in Swing Time,
Well, we're back from our honeymoon now; and we'd both like to really thank all of you for helping to make our wedding such a fantastic day. The music was perfect from the first dance to the last - even if our dancing didn't quite do it justice! Everyone had so many great things to say about you, and were unanimous in your praise. The only downside was that it had to end!

Just a short letter to thank you and the band for such a wonderful performance at Ian's recent birthday party. You all made such an effort to make the day go well. The choice of both background and dance music was perfect - the combination of jazz and soul numbers that showed off the vocals and solos made it great listening and, on top of that, you also managed to incorporate some of Ian's favourites into your set - it was really special. All of our guests were impressed by the band's professionalism, vitality, humour and obvious talent - quite a few have asked for your details for their own do's - I hope they get in touch. I wish you and the band all the very best for the future and thanks again.

Hi Mike, After our wedding last week we wanted to write to thank you and the band for your fantastic performance. We both had a brilliant day, as did our guests, and Swing Time were a vital part of it, creating the perfect atmosphere. All three of the sets were spot on and really kept the night buzzing right through to the end of the party. So many people have commented on how much they loved both the music and the dancing and it will certainly live long in our memories. Thanks also for letting us plug in our laptop, use your mikes and for being so accommodating and flexible with our timings for the evening which went a bit off schedule. Thanks again for helping to make our wedding party so special.

Swing Time played at one of my oldest friend's weddings last week - the best wedding I've ever been to, and the band played a huge part in that! We all rushed to the dance floor and didn't leave. The music pleased all age groups, which is just what you want on these occasions, and the band looked like they really enjoyed being there too. I've stored them in the memory bank to recommend to others - talented, professional, slick, fun!

I had the pleasure of seeing Swing Time perform at The Music Palace - a small, welcoming and undoubtedly intimate venue in Crouch End, north London. For the first set, we were treated to nearly an hour of cool swing classics. With the audience nicely warmed up for the second set, the band upped the tempo (and the volume!) for an awesome performance of soul, disco and Motown classics. Hit after hit, the band delivered their interpretations of groovy classics with conviction and vigour. It wasn?t long before the dance-floor was crammed full as Swing Time turned on the style with songs by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, The Jackson Five, Martha & The Vandellas, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and others. Deservedly receiving rapturous applause at the end of each song, three encores at the finale rounded off a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Swing Time were fantastic on the night and had everybody up and dancing. The lead vocals are really something. Just what we were hoping for.

Hi Mike, I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you and your band members for the excellent music we received for my special birthday celebration dinner on 7th November at the Carriage House Restaurant. Without exception, all my guests were impressed with the quality and professionalism of your band. I have received lots of compliments - all of which you certainly deserve. The evening went without a hitch and we could have all danced on for hours and hours!! My thanks again for helping to make the musical entertainment part of a memorable evening. I will certainly recommend you to anyone who is looking for high quality music for a special event.

I can honestly say that having the band play at our event was the highlight of our evening. From the moment we contacted them about a quote to the end of the evening they were always happy to work around our needs which took the pain out of the organising! Their flexibility, professional attitude but above all, their fantastic performance was exactly what we were looking for. I would not hesitate to recommend them for any event where you want to provide that 'something special' for your guests.

I have absolutely no qualms in recommending Swing Time to anyone wishing to have a fantastic band for their wedding/event. Mike was fantastic, helping us pick out our songs and arranging the schedule for the day. Every guest congratulated us on the wonderful performance. To all members of the band, you were brilliant!

Well, what a fabulous evening!! Thank you so much for making the party so enjoyable. All of our friends had a great time and several said "it was the best party ever"! They especially liked the music and were impressed by your repertoire and talent. We loved the jazz sets and I am sure you all noticed how many people were dancing to the soul set. Please pass on our thanks to the band and especially to you for your hard work and energy - you should get some follow on Gigs from the rave comments I heard.

FAQs

How far in advance should we book?

As soon as you know your date, really. Popular dates (weekends, especially in summer) can book up 12+ months ahead, but we've also pulled off cracking gigs with just a few weeks' notice if we're free. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you'll have.

How much do you charge?

You can use the instant quote button on this page to get a price straight away — your fee will appear on screen, and you'll also get a follow-up email confirming it. If we're available and you're happy with the price, get back in touch with the Hireaband team to secure the date. It's very much first come, first served, so if we're available, don't hesitate.

What's your payment and cancellation policy?

Hireaband will ask for a reservation fee to secure your date, with the remaining balance due before the event (your booking confirmation will have exact dates and amounts). If you need to cancel or postpone, get in touch as early as possible — the closer to the date, the harder it is for Hireaband to fill the slot, so the cancellation terms reflect that. Full details are in your booking agreement, but the Hireaband team are always happy to talk through the specifics.

What if any timings change after booking you?

No problem at all. We know that timings and details aren't always set in stone at the booking stage, and plans have a habit of evolving as your big day gets closer. We're happy to be flexible around changes to your schedule, and if you decide further down the line that you'd like to add on any extra services, just get in touch with the Hireaband team and they'll sort it out for you.

What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?

Totally understandable if this all feels a bit new! Booking a band is a big part of your day, so we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. We've performed at countless weddings and events, and the Hireaband team will guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry right through to the big day itself. If you're ever unsure about anything, just ask — that's what we're here for.

Can we see you perform live before booking?

We don't always have public gigs to invite you to (weddings tend to be private!), but we're always happy to jump on a call and talk you through what to expect. A public performance will often be posted on this page too, so it's worth checking back — and if we do have one coming up, we'll gladly send details your way.

How much contact will we have with the band before the wedding?

Hireaband will put you in direct touch with us around 3 months before your date, so you can go through all the finer details together — song choices, timings, any special requests and so on. In the meantime, the Hireaband team are always on hand to answer any questions you have, so you're never left waiting.

How many songs will the band learn especially for me?

We're happy to learn your first dance or a special request. Other songs depend on the time frame given and what the songs are. We're always keen to learn new things, so do let us know and we'll try to accommodate as best we can for you.

Can we choose our own setlist?

Yes, within reason. We have a core set of crowd-pleasers that we know works brilliantly, and we're experts at reading a room and picking the right songs on the night to keep everyone dancing. We're also always happy to tweak the setlist based on your taste — send us a few "must plays" and a few "please avoids" and we'll build the night around them. Just bear in mind that learning brand new songs from scratch (aside from your first dance) depends on notice — see above!

Will you be able to do my first dance?

Given enough notice, yes. It takes a while for us to rehearse a song to the high standards that we set ourselves. If you can give us at least 8 weeks' notice, that should be fine. The song also has to be suitable for a band. If we can't do it justice, then we can put it on an iPod and go seamlessly into our set at the end of it.

How much space does the band need?

This will vary depending on the size of the band and the setup on the night, but we've performed at a huge variety of venues and can comfortably fit into most spaces that have hosted a live band before. If your venue has anything a little unusual about it, we can usually find a way to make it work, so just get in touch if you're not sure and we'll be happy to advise.

How big is Swing Time, and can the line-up scale?

We're a flexible 6- to 18-piece function band — our instant quote price is for the 6-piece line-up, but we can scale up with extra vocals, percussion, strings and dancers for an even bigger show, and we can also offer smaller line-ups for daytime slots at a discount if booked alongside the main band.

What kind of music does Swing Time play?

We cover the Swing, Rat Pack, Soul and Motown eras, starting the evening with up-tempo jive and swing before moving into pop, Motown and soul to keep the dancefloor going all night. We were even described by Deborah Meaden of BBC's Dragons' Den as "exceptional".

How long do you take to set up?

We ask for around an hour to set up and check everything is working, but if it needs to be shorter, just let us know and we'll always accommodate as best we can.

How far will you travel?

We regularly perform all over the country, so distance really is no object, but we will require an additional fee for travel and may need bed and breakfast arranged for us. Any price you receive already includes travel costs, so there won't be any surprise extras on top.

Will we need to feed you?

It depends on timings, but generally some hot food would be hugely appreciated. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Normally a catering company will provide a 'crew meal' as part of their package, or we're happy to have evening food that's already available.

What do you wear?

We tend to be 'smart casual' as in our pictures and video. However, we can be smarter or more casual depending on your event and requirements.

How long do you perform for?

As standard, we provide 2 x 1hr or 3 x 40 minute sets as required on the night, up until midnight. We can play past midnight, but it can incur an additional fee. We are flexible though and will always try to accommodate your requirements. We can also add an additional 1hr set for a small fee!

Do you take breaks, and what happens to the music then?

Yes, we'll take short breaks between sets to grab a drink and catch our breath! During these breaks we'll have background music playing through our own PA system, so there's never a dead moment on the dancefloor. Just let us know if you have a particular playlist or Spotify account you'd like us to use.

Will the band provide a DJ service?

Yes, as standard we provide a playlist DJ service whenever we're not performing — so between sets and after our last set, right up until midnight (or your curfew if earlier). These are tried-and-tested playlists that we've refined over countless events, but you're also welcome to send us your own playlist to play instead. If you'd like a bit more than that, we offer an upgrade to a manned DJ service, where a band member stays on hand throughout to look after the music and take requests on the night.

Can you arrive earlier and finish later?

Our standard on-site time runs from 6pm to midnight, but we're happy to be flexible around your schedule. Whether you need us there earlier for an afternoon slot or performing later into the night, just let us know your requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate — additional fees may apply for extended hours.

Do you offer any optional extras?

Yes! On top of our standard package, we can offer a range of optional extras for an additional fee — things like extra performance sets, a manned DJ service, acoustic sets for your ceremony or drinks reception, and more. Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll see what we can put together for your day.

Do you provide all your own equipment?

Yes, all we need is a clear area in which to set up and a power supply.

Are you insured and PAT tested?

Yes to both. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our equipment is PAT tested annually. Hireaband will send your venue any certification that's required.

Can you work with sound limiters?

Yes. We don't 'love' them, but we absolutely can work within them.

What happens if one of the band is ill on the day of my event?

We have a network of fellow musicians that we can call on to stand in on the rare occasion one of the band is ill. On top of that, Hireaband is the UK's biggest entertainment agency and has access to dozens of wedding bands in your area even at the very last minute. However, we've never missed a gig yet.

Check availability and price for Swing Time

To find out if this act is available and what it would cost to hire them, please fill out the form.

To ensure the quote is as accurate as possible, remember to tell us the postcode or nearest town to your venue. Good Luck!