7 Background Music Ideas to Set the Tone at Your Event

Choosing the right background music can help create the perfect atmosphere at for your event. From harpists and pianists to jazz bands and guitarists, we're spoilt for choice.

Acoustic duo background music

Music is key to creating the desired atmosphere at your wedding or event. For a fun party feel, why not go for some acoustic pop? Or perhaps you need a more sophisticated touch? Then, a jazz band can provide just that!

Background music serves as a perfect ice-breaker, encouraging your guests to mingle while creating a delightful ambience that enhances the overall atmosphere.

From world music acts and classical musicians to pianists and acoustic duos, we have a whole host of ideas that can help provide the perfect background music for your event.


Acoustic Duos

Opting for an acoustic duo to provide entertainment during the drinks or canapés is a smart move. It helps maintain that loved-up, jovial atmosphere created by the ceremony, ensuring there’s no disappointing lull on your special day.

The solution? Capture their attention with beautifully crafted, acoustic versions of popular songs like ‘As It Was’ by Harry Styles or ‘Unholy’ by Sam Smith. They can even keep your more ‘livelier’ guests entertained with upbeat singalongs, perfect for audience participation and guaranteed to dispel any hints of boredom.

Hit the ground running with your event by hiring an exciting acoustic duo, and watch as they turn this segment into the most memorable part of the day.

Melody Changers

Jazz Ensembles

Sophisticated, elegant and classy. If you want to host an event to impress, then hiring a professional jazz band to provide the musical backdrop is a no-brainer.

Made popular by the crooners during the 40s through to the 60s, jazz is smooth, cool and unequivocally stylish. Charming the socks off your guests shouldn’t be this easy, surely?

From jazz duos to trios and even big bands, there are many options and lineups to consider. You’ll also find some jazz ensembles that cover contemporary songs in a post-modern jukebox style, which would suit perfectly for a vintage wedding!

The Jazz Spatz

Harpists

Set the tone for a relaxed or high-class event by hiring a harpist to provide delicate background music for your guests.

Although typically a relatively large instrument, the harp’s timbre perfectly creates a serene and romantic atmosphere that will help everyone feel more relaxed and at home. Without being too loud or quiet, guests can easily mingle and chat whilst still caught up in the magic of the day and this ethereal instrument.

Many beautiful songs have been rearranged for the harp, so you’ll find most harpist repertoires to be fairly expansive in terms of artists and genres. You’ll find helpful tips and further advice for booking a harpist here.

Eleanor Turner

Pianists

From Jamie Cullum to Elton John and Beethoven to Billy Joel, the piano is arguably one of the greatest musical instruments to inspire songwriting and composition.

You’ll find it hard to find someone who isn’t a fan of the piano, so surely it’s a winner for setting the mood at your event? Background music should uplift the atmosphere, but leave enough room for conversation, and a live event pianist does this perfectly.

No piano at the venue? Don’t worry; you can easily hire a piano shell to help mimic the look of a real upright or baby grand piano.

Lincolnshire Pianist

Classical Musicians

Add a touch of class to any event by hiring a classical singer, guitarist, violinist or a surprise singing waiter!

Perfect for black-tie dinners, traditional weddings, religious celebrations, and more, classical musicians bring elegance and sophistication to any event and are ideal for background music.

From Handel to Bach and The Beatles to Beyoncé, you’ll find classical musicians are equipped to provide background music of all styles and genres fitting for any type or style of event.

Glasgow Guitarist

World Music

Discover a world of music for your wedding, private party or corporate event by hiring one of our many vibrant world musicians.

Treat your guests and choose from the rhythms of Steel Bands, the lively beats of Cuban Bands, the passionate flair of Salsa Bands, the traditional sounds of German Oompah Bands or the festive spirit of Mariachi Bands.

Sunny Steel Band

String Quartets

Immerse your event in the refined elegance of a string quartet. Our selection of string ensembles offers a sophisticated touch for weddings, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations.

Choose from a repertoire that spans classical masterpieces, contemporary hits, and everything in between. Each performance by our string quartets is a journey through rich melodies and harmonies, turning your event into an unforgettable experience.

Let the resonant strings of violins, viola, and cello create a captivating ambience for everyone to enjoy.

Berkshire String Quartet

Picking the right background music to compliment your event should be an enjoyable process, and we hope this article has provided some inspiration.

There are certainly plenty of choices; whether you want to create a relaxing atmosphere for guests to mingle, a classy environment for networking & socialising or a more upbeat, lively atmosphere to get everyone out of their shells – there’s a whole world of musical entertainment out there to explore!