Hire an entertainer
Entertainers cover live performance at events: musicians, magicians, dancers, comedians, caricaturists and children's performers. Two practical details decide whether a booking works — the space and power the act needs, and whether the performance is a set piece the room watches or roaming entertainment alongside other activity.
What entertainers do
- Perform to an agreed format and length, in sets or roaming
- Bring their own instruments, props, costumes and often sound
- Adapt the material to the audience and the occasion
- Coordinate timings with the DJ, MC or venue
- Handle their own setup, soundcheck and breakdown
When people book entertainers
- Weddings and receptions
- Corporate events and team celebrations
- Children's parties and family events
- Festivals and public events
- Drinks receptions and dinners needing roaming entertainment
What to ask before booking a entertainer
Take these to every candidate. The answers are usually more revealing than a portfolio.
- How much space, power and setup time do you need?
- Do you bring your own sound, or need a PA provided?
- How long is a set, and how many sets are included?
- Is this a seated performance or roaming entertainment?
- Can we see recent live footage, not just a showreel?
- Are you insured, and do you have a risk assessment if the venue asks?
What to have ready when you post a request
The more of this you can give upfront, the more accurate the offers you get back.
- Audience: size, age range and what they will enjoy
- Where the performance happens, and what else is going on then
- Space available, power points and whether the floor is level
- The slot in the running order and how long it should last
- Anything off-limits for tone or content
What drives the cost of a entertainer
Quotes vary because these factors vary. Knowing which apply to you makes two quotes comparable.
- Number of performers — a band costs far more than a soloist
- Set length and number of sets
- Whether they bring sound and lighting
- Travel, and whether an overnight stay is required
- Setup and soundcheck time, which is often longer than the performance
- Profile and demand for the act
- Date and season
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Booking an act the space cannot physically fit
- Not checking power, then discovering there is one socket across the room
- Scheduling a performance against dinner service, so nobody watches
- Judging by a showreel, which is edited; ask for unedited live footage
- Forgetting soundcheck needs the room before guests arrive
Frequently asked questions
How much space does an entertainer need?
It varies enormously: a caricaturist needs a chair and a table, a band needs a stage area, power and room for equipment. Ask for specific dimensions and power requirements, then check them against the venue before booking — this is the most common reason an otherwise good booking fails on the day.
When should entertainment happen during an event?
Pick a slot where the audience can actually give attention. Scheduling a set piece against dinner service or a bar rush means a performance nobody watches. Roaming entertainment is the opposite — it works precisely during those gaps, which is often the better choice for receptions.
Do entertainers bring their own sound system?
Some do and some expect a PA to be provided. It materially changes the cost and the setup time, so confirm it explicitly rather than assuming. If the venue has a house system, check the performer can use it and that someone will be there to operate it.
In a hurry? Booking a entertainer at the last minute covers how late is realistically too late, what to compromise on, and what never to skip.
Often booked together
Ready to book a entertainer?
Post what you need and compare offers from verified entertainers near you.