People book a live band in Kenya for pretty much any event. Some book a live band for their birthdays, others for their anniversaries, baby showers, house parties, gala dinners, corporate end year parties, state functions and of course some book a live band for their weddings.

Book Live Band in Kenya - Live Band Performance at a University of Nairobi Gala Dinner

People book a live band in Kenya for pretty much any event. Some book a live band for their birthdays, others for their anniversaries, baby showers, house parties, gala dinners, corporate end year parties, state functions and of course some book a live band for their weddings.

Which Types of Bands do we have in Kenya?

Live bands in Kenya are classified according to the number of people in the band, the genre of music they play and the type of events they play at.

If you want to book a live band in Kenya, the most important thing to note is the genre and the number of people.

The number of people will determine the energy of the band and it also affects the price. The fewer the people in the band, the cheaper the band should be.

The fewer the musicians there are in the band, the more likely the band will be mellow and not too loud. Therefore, if you have an event for a small gathering and you need the music to be in the background, you can hire a smaller band.

It is important to know the genre the band plays so that you don’t book a Swahili/Taarab band for a Rock event! 😀

Is it safe to book a live band in Kenya?

Some live bands in Kenya operate independently while others are managed by agencies like ours(The Booth Live Bands).

To book independent live bands in Kenya you can simply walk into pubs/restaurants where they play and contract them for your event.

To book a live band with an agency like The Booth, you’ll visit our website, or YouTube channel, go through the band profiles and make a preferred booking.

While MOST independent bands are okay, some have no concerns about their reputation. They therefore pose a number of risks for the client:

1. If you book any band directly, you have no real cover if anything goes wrong. The biggest danger is normally the band getting a better offer and pulling out of your event. When booking via an agency you are assured that the band will not take another gig regardless of how lucrative it is.
2. When you book a live band through us we provide a safety net in the form of replacements. In the unlikely event that a band is unable to show up because of unavoidable circumstances, we shall make sure you get a suitable replacement in no time at no extra charge.
3. Generally, because independent bands have no one to answer to but themselves, their quality control, behaviour, song choices, appearance, equipment quality are all totally ungoverned and unmonitored. This can prove difficult to deal with at the event.
4. If you pay a deposit to an independent band and they split up, disappear or stop returning your calls, you have very little chance of recovering your money. With agencies you’ll have security and no danger of being messed around.
5. Pricing: As a company, we have standard pricing procedures for different events – depending on metrics like the pax and duration. Independent bands will mostly charge according to how deep they feel your pocket is.

Agencies are therefore preferred because they are companies and can safeguard your deposit in case of emergencies or cancellations. They also make sure the performance takes place even if it is through replacing a no-show band.

Is there standardised pricing if I want to hire a live band in Kenya?

There are no standardised prices  for bands in Kenya. Every live band sets their price according to what they feel they are worth.

With The Booth Live Bands, you are assured that prices are standardised for similar events every time.

For example:

If Anne booked Seasons Band for a wedding in Nairobi and the wedding had the following details:

Month of event: February
Number of people attending the wedding: 100 pax. 
Indoor Event.
Wedding Reception time: 1pm – 4pm

If we charged Anne 60,000 Kshs for that wedding, the price will always be 60,000 kshs for those same requirements for any other client.

Price will only change slightly if the cost of doing business in the country goes up. Basically, price will not be adjusted because you look like you have a lot of money 🙂

That said, for weddings, the cost of a live band in Kenya typically ranges between 40,000 Kshs to 600,000 Kshs or more at times. The band prices vary depending on where and when the wedding is taking place, the number of musicians in the band among other reasons.

What contributes to the cost of a live band in Kenya?

The following contributes to a live band’s cost in Kenya:

1. Time: How long will the live music band be performing at your event? Most live bands charge for a set number of hours. (Typically 2 hours). Therefore if you want them to perform beyond the contracted time, you may have to pay additional charges for their time. Please note that sometimes bands have multiple bookings in a day and may not be able to extend performance because of other commitments. Be sure to ask if the band has other commitments on the same day so that you know their flexibility.
2. Number of people in the band: The bigger the band, the more you’ll pay. A live band can have as few as 2 people and as many as 20!
3. Location of the venue: The longer the distance your live band has to travel to your venue the more it will cost you. You may have to pay for their transport/ fuel, food, refreshments and accommodation where necessary. Cost of a band playing in Nairobi is cheaper than if they have to travel to Mombasa for instance,
4. Number of guests at the venue: The number of guests at the venue determines the PA or sound equipment requirements. 1000 people will need more PA/Sound than a small event of 100 people.
5. Is the event indoor or outdoor? Outdoor events may require more PA or sound equipment because sound is lost in the open air. Indoor events may require less PA or sound equipment because the walls of a hall contain and retain the sound within the room.
6. Extras: You may request your live band to provide additional equipment such as lighting, a stage, screens, projectors. Etc. Some bands also provide MCs services, Deejay/Playback services or additional sound/PA. All these extra requirements

How do I save money when booking a live band in Kenya?

People are afraid to book a Live band in Kenya because they typically think it is expensive, but there are several ways to save money. Including:

1. Be conscious of time – Try keep the time the band will be performing to a minimum. Most brides reallocate or ban speeches or activities that may eat into the band’s time.
2. Fewer Band Members: You’d be amaze at how a 4 piece band sounds just as good as a 5 piece band. You don’t have to have a full band for good entertainment. If your budget is tight, get a smaller band that fits your budget.
3. Schedule your event to be in the off-season: Entertainment is also affected by demand and supply. If you hold your event in December, your event costs will be much higher than if you hold it just a month later in January.
4. Book a live band first before any other entertainment: As mentioned before, a DJ can use the band’s PA but generally bands have to use their own PA/Sound.

   So, if you book a DJ first or hire PA by itself, you will pay for PA twice. To cut costs, book the band first and have the MC and DJ use the band’s PA system. 
   
   Please note that the band can also provide you with an MC, a DJ or playback music. Generally if you book entertainment as a package, starting with the live band, the price will be exponentially lower.

How do I know which live band to book for which event?

1. The size of your crowd: It may seem obvious, but it doesn’t make sense to book a 10 wo/man band, with a huge sound system if you have an event for 10 people.
2. Location of the event: Similarly, it wouldn’t be advisable to book a large 10-piece band for a birthday party in your apartment. The music would be too loud and you’d have problems with your neighbours and/or authorities.
3. The type of event: Different types of events require a different type of music. Cocktails and gala dinners require soft and mellow music while wedding evening parties, birthday parties require upbeat and lively music.

Get in touch with us if you want to book a live band in Kenya and we’ll help you choose the perfect band for your event.

When I hire a live band in Kenya, can they offer other services?

When you book a live band in Kenya, the main service they provide is performing live music during your event.

What most people don’t know is that the band leader can also serve as the MC for the event. Making announcements and basically running the show.

The live band can also be contracted to be the main supplier of audio equipment/P.A/Sound. This includes microphones, speakers and amps. Basically the entire sound system.

You can also book your live band and have them play your favourite playback music during breaks at the event thereby reducing your costs.

Will Booking Live Bands in Kenya cost more than booking DJs?

Typically, yes. A live band cost in Kenya is more likely to be higher than a DJ. On average, booking a live band in Kenya costs 100,000 Kshs while booking a DJ in Kenya averages 30,000 Kshs.

Why is that the case?

• For one the band has about 5 or more people performing whereas a DJ is by himself.
• The band has more equipment therefore higher costs of rehearsal, transportation, repairs and roadies.
• Optics – That extra premium of people playing RAW, LIVE instruments adds an edge to the event.

If I hire a Live band will they provide their own equipment?

The cost of booking a live band in Kenya usually includes microphones, speakers and the band instruments. Some live band companies like The Booth can provide additional equipment such as lighting, fog machines, projectors, screens, stages and Deejay Gear.

We always advice clients: To save on cost, book the band first and negotiate a good price.  The band can provide you with a quality PA system which the DJ and MC can use.

After I book a live band, do I have to tip them?

You don’t have to but it is good practice for guests to tip the band if their performance is good.

We recommend tipping each musician in your live band 500 to 1000 Kshs. In addition, thank your live band (and other vendors!) by writing them an online review.

When should I hire a live band in Kenya?

The time to book a live music band in Kenya is mostly dependent on the date of your event. Events that are scheduled to run on peak seasons like December should be booked at least 3 months in advance to be on the safe side.

If the event is in an off-peak month, we recommend booking the live band at least 1 month before the event. Those booking a live band as a gift should book them at least 6 months to the event date.

Here at The Booth Live Bands we have made the booking process very easy. Simply visit out website and view the profiles of our live bands. Watch the videos of the bands in action, make a selection and request a quote.

Alternatively you can visit our YouTube channel – The Booth Agency and watch band videos from there.

To get a quote, click on the GET QUOTE button and fill the Band Booking form with your event details. One of our staff members will then send you a quote within one business day.

Questions to ask when booking a live band in Kenya

There are several important questions to ask a live band before booking them.

• I am from “X" country and my fiancé is from “Y" country, can you do songs from those cultures?
• I am from “X" tribe and my fiancé is from “Y" tribe, can you do songs from those cultures?
• My family is in “X" religion and my fiancé’s family is in “Y" religion. Can you do songs that are neutral?
• What is your repertoire like? Can we see it?
• What would be your band price for my type of event?
• How many instruments and vocalists will be present for that price?
• Have you worked at my venue in the past? What would you advise in terms of setup & layout?
• I have a few song requests. Will you learn them for my event? Do you charge for that?
• How do you work in regards to setup and setting down your equipment?
• Do you have music recommendations for my event?
• Care to share videos from a past performance?
• Are breaks a requirement? How long would they need to be?
• What equipment do you provide?
• Are there any other services you offer besides band performance?
• What will happen if for one reason or another the band I book can’t make it on the event day?
• What are your cancellation policies?
• Do you have a contract that you could share?

Visit FAQs to read more answers to questions frequently asked about booking Live Bands in Kenya.