London's Professional Caribbean Steel Pan Bands

London's Professional Caribbean Steel Pan Bands, Musicians, Singers, Specialised Wedding Steel Bands available for Hire for Cocktail Receptions, Corporate Events, Summer Fairs, Funerals, Festivals and Wedding Parties in London & the Home Counties.

Rates From : £280.00 for a Solo Performer and £480.00 for a Trio
Ratings 5 Total of 18 Reviews

★★★★★

Carribe Steel Band

With thousands of performances over the last few decades the Carribe Steel Band remains one of London’s favourites and often get’s re booked by the same clients.

Afro Caribbean Band

The Afro Caribbean Band is a unique combination of musicians from Ghana, Senegal, Dominica and Trinidad.

Chris – Steel Pan Soloist

London Based Steel Pan Soloist with a Large and Varied Repertoire.

Solo Steel Pan Player – Magaron

Bring the Island vibes to your event with London’s talented steel pan players

The Calypso Steel Rhythms

If you want Calypso Dancing and Partying, look no further ! The Steel Rhythms. Will leave your guests happy, tired and danced out.

Night Blues Steel Pan Band Quartet

The Night Blues Steel Band perform a fantastically sunny mix of Soca, Calypso, Ska, Reggae, Salsa, Latin Rhythms and Bolero tunes, plus a whole range of modern popular hits (rock and pop) to boot!

What is the ideal size for a Steel Pan Band?

Three or more, because you need three musicians to have a full sound and rhythmic music. There is the Bass Pan, Tenor Pan and Soprano Pan. For a five piece band it would be one bass pan, two tenor pans and two soprano pans. A five piece band will sound very lively and it will get your guests dancing.

I would like to book a smaller ensemble due to space and budget, is this possible?

Yes, you can book a smaller ensemble with a duo or soloist but it would be for background music and the sets would need to be shorter to keep the performance interesting. Unless you booked a Steel Pan Player that utilised prerecorded backing tracks, in which case you can book a soloist.

Does the Traditional Steel Band need power supply?

Generally No, for authentic Steep Pan Bands, unless you needed them to cover an area of more than 150 guests - 200 guests, in which case we would suggest amplification. The Caribbean Steel Pan Band sounds best as an acoustic ensemble, the sound travels very well due to the large resonance owing to to the size and material of the drum. The band can sound relaxed and lively at the same time.

Can I move the Steel Band to two locations or more for the same gig?

Yes, the Steel Band is very mobile and can be moved to different locations easily for the same event. For example they can perform outdoors during the drinks reception and then be moved indoors for the beginning of the meal. At Carnivals & Festivals, they can be moved to different spots or stalls through the day.

How much does it cost to book a Steel Pan Band?

The rates for a trio start from £480.00 and can go up to £680.00 for a weekend booking and the Steel Band ensembles are happy to travel for a small additional fee to cover transport charges.

Can a Steel Band perform outdoors if it rains?

Yes, they can but they would need to be in a covered area to prevent the drums, them and your guests getting wet. If it starts to rain while they are performing outside, they can easily move to an indoor or covered area.

Can their volume be turned up or down?

Yes, an experienced Steel Band can play soft or loud.

Is the Steel Band insured and PAT tested?

Yes, all bands have Public Liability Insurance (PLI) in place and also PAT tested equipment where applicable.

How long does a Steel Pan Band play for?

The set length would normally be 2×45 minutes or 3×30 minutes. You can book a Steel Pan Band for 3×40 minutes, but this can be too long if it is for the same guests. They can perform for 1×60 minutes as well but a break does work better and gives a new fresh start for the guests.

The Steel Band originated on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. In the year 1940, the people of the Port of Spain would play in Carnivals in representation of their neighbourhoods. Initially using metal buckets, containers and cans with bamboo tubes was a percussion accompaniment for dancing and singing. A widely known and recognised group at the time which was called ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ from the Newtown neighbourhood, they paraded on the roads during carnivals with all metal and nonmelodic instruments in 1939.

The Trinidadian Music ensemble is primarily composed of steel idiophones such as steel pans, which are made from the bottoms of 55-galon oil barrels. Being hammered inward, in different areas to yield distinct sounds and pitches of the barrel bottom when struck with rubber-tipped mallets.

Steel Bands had very soon become a prominent feature of carnivals in Trinidad in the late 1940’s. By the late 1950’s, the tradition had spread immensely to other islands of the Caribbean like Antigua and St. Thomas. In addition, to the main melody instrument, Steel Bands also consisted of second pans, cuatro pans, blooms, and grumblers. The main highest-pitch and often times, the seconds would carry the melody whilst the background pans would sound the harmonies rhythmically.

Until the late 1950’s, steel band musicians would use single steel pans in carnivals that were suspended from the neck by a strap. However, over the years, wheeled carts have enabled musicians to take stands on the road well as use background pans that are tuned in multiple sets, allowing them to play a far greater range of pitches.

★★★★★

"I wanted a steel band for our party last week, but most of them were over my budget. I had an email from Titus (via Music for London) who put me in touch with John Thomas and The Carribe Steel Band and I have to say I cannot thank these guys enough. I have received nothing but positive comments about the band and how it was a pure stroke of genius having them play; they really made a small garden party very special. The children got involved and they were extremely patient and kind, letting them play the drums – this was the highlight for me. From a cost point of view they were worth every penny and I highly recommend them. Thank you also to Titus for his fast & pleasant response to my emails."- Lynda & Dave Thompson

"I,d like to say thank you very much for Saturday Louise and Chris’s wedding. I had managed to keep you a surprise from her until she saw you and I think you saw how happy she was. Good result. Everybody enjoyed your playing and you helped to make the day memorable for her and the guests. Very best regards" - Jill – Surprise Appearance at Party

"On behalf of the Friends of Belmont, I wanted to express our huge thanks to the incredible steel band for braving the drizzle and supporting B-Fest this year and to you for helping to make it happen! The band were amazing and we have had so much positive feedback about them. They really gave the day a carnival feel and helped create a wonderful atmosphere! We would definitely be keen to use them again in the future! We raised a huge £9334 this year – an all time record and we are obviously thrilled with that result! Half of that will be going to our designated charity, Spread a Smile. Thanks once again for helping to make the day such a success! With Best Wishes,"- Abi (Friends of Belmont)

"Hope you’ve had a good weekend. I just wanted to drop you an email before we head off on honeymoon to say thank you to the band for their brilliant performance at our wedding reception on Friday. They created a lovely laid-back atmosphere during the drinks reception and later at the cocktail hour, and put a big smile on everyone’s face! Please do pass on our thanks to each of them for helping to give us our perfect wedding day. With all best wishes", - Nina & Matty

"I unfortunately didn’t get chance to thank Carribe Steel so I wonder if you could please pass on our thanks for providing the music for our summer ball. They really were very good and fitted the occasion perfectly. The guests enjoyed the night’s entertainment. Many Thanks" - Alison Worseley – Summer Ball",

Booking Rates from £275.00 - £675.00

Carribe Steel Band

Afro Caribbean Band

Chris – Steel Pan Soloist

Solo Steel Pan Player – Magaron

The Calypso Steel Rhythms

Night Blues Steel Pan Band Quartet

FAQs to Hire Caribbean Steel Pan Bands

What is the ideal size for a Steel Pan Band?

I would like to book a smaller ensemble due to space and budget, is this possible?

Does the Traditional Steel Band need power supply?

Can I move the Steel Band to two locations or more for the same gig?

How much does it cost to book a Steel Pan Band?

Can a Steel Band perform outdoors if it rains?

Can their volume be turned up or down?

Is the Steel Band insured and PAT tested?

How long does a Steel Pan Band play for?

The Vibrant History of the Trinidadian Steel Band

London’s Steel Bands