Up The Ante
Wedding Band & Party Band
Check availability
Add to Shortlist
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
£1,868 (avg. price)
Booked 104 times on FixTheMusic ⚡
7 Videos & 17 Photos

About Up The Ante – professional wedding band based in Buckinghamshire, available throughout the UK and internationally

Up The Ante comprises three of the UK’s most talented, versatile and professional session musicians who combine a wealth of musical knowledge and experience to create a highly energetic, fun and dynamic stage performance. The UK's most popular 3 piece wedding band!

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Castello Di Meleto in Italy, The Beach Star in Ibiza, Cripps Barn in Cirencester and The Granary Estates in Newmarket.

Contact Up The Ante

About Up The Ante – professional wedding band based in Buckinghamshire, available throughout the UK and internationally

Up The Ante comprises three of the UK’s most talented, versatile and professional session musicians who combine a wealth of musical knowledge and experience to create a highly energetic, fun and dynamic stage performance. The UK's most popular 3 piece wedding band!

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Castello Di Meleto in Italy, The Beach Star in Ibiza, Cripps Barn in Cirencester and The Granary Estates in Newmarket.

Contact Up The Ante

Read more
7 Videos & 17 Photos
24 Verified Reviews

"I’m not sure where to start with explaining how INCREDIBLE Up The Ante were. We booked them for our wedding in Greenwich and the whole process from planning to the very last song was exceptional. James was an amazing help with the planning and organising of the day, discussing the types of songs we would like to fit the vibe of our wedding. We had no doubts that it would be great after talking through everything. Simon (singer/guitar), Andy (bass/vocals) and Guillaume (drums) are extremely talented with great vocals and engagement with the dancefloor feeling like you were at a gig at times. Whilst most of their set was Indie music as we had requested when they were taking breaks between sets they played a good selection of songs that suited a range of tastes in music. Us and our guests had the best time (especially my dad who thought he was the fourth member of the band with his air guitar) and everyone keeps saying to us how much fun they had. The dance floor was never empty when the band were playing which is exactly what we wanted. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening. We hope they had a great time too and enjoyed playing for us. Thank you so much to Andy, Simon, Andy & Guillaume."

Ellie Williamson, 5 November 2023, wedding at Trafalgar Tavern, London, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi James, Hope all is well with you and your family. Following our wedding on Friday, we wanted to get in touch with you to thank you and the band for everything you did to make our wedding so memorable. Working with you over the past year or so has been incredibly stress-free and simple, and the band’s performance on Friday was amazing - so many people came up to us saying how good the band was. Wishing you all the very best for the future, Richard and Rebecca."

Richard Jennings, 25 July 2023, wedding at Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"I just want to say the biggest thank you from us for really getting the party started last night and continuing to keep everyone up all night. We searched and searched for a band for our wedding and probably found this the trickiest part of all of the wedding planning as it was so important to us. We are so glad we found you you honestly were better than we dreamt you would be so thank you so so much! Rachel & Kevin."

Rachel Chilcott, 24 July 2023, wedding at The Barn at Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Destination weddings can be tricky when it comes to choosing the 'right' band/music. We had our hearts set on the venue, food and guest list but what about the music? Well... given the destination we chose, it was impossible to find a local band that suited us. After spending many hours researching our options we came across FixTheMusic, based in the UK. Up The Ante were one of many suggestions and we decided they would be the perfect choice. They were amazing and had the crowd on their feet for hours. Let's face it, the music and the food are two things that people remember most about weddings....Our guests talk about the music to this day. I highly recommend Up The Ante for your wedding, be it close to home or far away. If we did all over again we wouldn't change a thing."

Alexandra Katsenos, 13 January 2023, wedding in Zakynthos, Greece
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hello, Up The Ante were absolutely brilliant. Everyone from the grandchildren to the grandparents were on the dance floor and loving the music. James and the band were very friendly and accommodating and the music was brilliant throughout. We loved it! Thanks, James."

James Bedford, 10 November 2022, wedding at Sutton Mawr Farm, Waycock Road, Barry, Wales
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up The Ante were amazing! From the beginning FixTheMusic was very helpful with recommending bands to suit our occasion.The band then flew out to Ibiza for the gig and they had the crowd dancing all night! They were lovely and we couldnt recommend a better band for our party! Thanks for everything 🙂"

Nicole Evans, 31 October 2022, wedding at The Beach Star in Ibiza
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"A big thanks for playing at our wedding. You guys were absolutely awesome and everyone loved you. I still can’t believe that I was on my knees playing air guitar in my wedding dress – sorry about that. Even my mum and dad were up dancing, which is a first in all the years I’ve known them. I still can’t believe that you managed to get all the band and gear up to Edinburgh but we’re really glad that you did."

Fran and John Tidy, 4 October 2022, wedding in Edinburgh
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up the Ante exceeded our expectations. They were very accommodating with our preferences and our choice of first dance song."

Chris Cannon, 12 August 2022, wedding at South Farm, Royston, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Well what can we say…… Up the Ante put on an incredible performance at our wedding at Notley Tythe Barn on July 30th. We have very high standards when it comes to live music and these guys totally nailed it. From the starting point of the booking process Up the Ante were a dream to work with. They really listened to the music we liked to hear and did an amazing rendition of Into the Mystic by Van Morrison for our first dance. They also let our 17 year old nephew Quinn from California play drums for a song which was a massive hit with the crowd. The floor never emptied all night whilst the guys played and all our guests and indeed the venue manager thought them to be one of the best bands they had heard at a wedding!"

Dee & Jethro Elliot, 30 July 2022, wedding at Notley Tythe Barn, Aylesbury, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Dear James, I hope you are well. James and I have just arrived back from our honeymoon and wanted to send a quick email to say thank you for everything you did to help us have the best wedding day. We couldn't have asked for any more from you and the band - we enjoyed every second of your sets and have had so many compliments about the music. Your advice on timings was invaluable (as was your patience on the night!). If it would be helpful to write a testimonial for you please do let us know as we'd be more than happy to recommend you to other couples. Many thanks again, Lydia and James."

Lydia Willgress, 20 July 2022, wedding at Slaugham Place, Staplefield Road, Haywards Heath, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up The Ante kept the party going all night at our wedding! The dance floor was always full and they sounded great, we've had so many comments on how good they were! A great choice and their communication was great throughout, to include a pre-wedding call with James!"

Jade Snedeker, 9 June 2022, wedding at The Granary Estates, Newmarket, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"I just wanted to thank you guys for playing at my husband’s surprise 40th. He had such an amazing night and was absolutely made up that you played all his favourite songs – he’s been talking about it none stop. I’ll be giving you a shout when it’s my turn in a few years!"

Kirsty Spencer, 5 February 2022, birthday party in Manchester
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up The Ante were fantastic playing at our delayed wedding celebrations. They had been very flexible having previously been booked to play on two previous occasions when we had to cancel our wedding due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, and when we at last got to see them in person they did not disappoint. They played two lively sets, which got everyone on the dance floor joining in, and made us look good as we basked in the compliments from guests as to what a good band we had booked, and asking how had we found them!"

Angharad & Ollie James, 14 December 2021, wedding at Huntsham Court, Tiverton, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Wow, you guys were AMAZING! Everyone at the ball thought you were brill and said it was like being at a real gig. Sex on Fire (thanks for playing it twice) and the dance-off were a real highlight. A few of my friends are getting married next year so I’ll give them your number. Thanks so much for a brilliant night!"

Jo Cripps, 13 September 2021, university ball in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi James, we’re just back from our honeymoon and thought we’d send you a quick email to say how much we enjoyed the band. You played a massive part in making our special day. Thanks so much for being so helpful in the lead-up and for being so flexible on the day!"

Sam and Steven Martin, 3 September 2021, wedding reception in Essex
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"The band was amazing! All our guests loved them and spent the night dancing. We loved how they added their own spin to the songs and their version of our first dance song. We would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a band. Thanks, Alice."

Alice Grayson, 5 March 2020, wedding in Redditch
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Only good things to say about Up The Ante. Their performance on the day & night was incredible with so many positive responses from the guests, I personally thought their acoustic set was brilliant. Beyond the performance though, the back and forth between myself and James in the lead up to the wedding was essential and James was always available via email and Skype which when you’re organising a French wedding, from Sydney with an English band is absolutely crucial. So, the interaction and organisation was a big factor in making the day so special and nothing was a problem, whether it be music choice, timings, James constantly put us at ease with it all. All in all, a group of really good lads, great artists which culminated in an amazing event. Thanks for everything, Marc & Michelle."

Marc Hayes, 20 September 2019, wedding at Château du Doux, Altillac, France
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"From start to finish Up The Ante were extremely professional, flexible and generally really nice guys! James was great at communicating with us and the band went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect, even learning songs to play during the ceremony - which were incredible! The band are amazingly sync'd and Simon's versatile voice is unbelievable! The chants of 'one more song' after they had already played one more song, is probably a good enough review in itself! I would definitely recommend these guys for any event/wedding and I would not hesitate to use them again. Nigel and Jess (Tuscany Wedding)"

Nigel Gupta, 10 September 2019, wedding at Villa Podernovo, Monticiano, Siena, Italy
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up the Ante were an absolute delight from start to finish! James was very responsive and patient working out all the logistics the months before the wedding. The crowd loved them, sang along and called for encores. They played all of our favourite songs without us even really discussing the song list. I was literally jumping up and down for 2 straight hours!!! Not only were they amazing on stage they were are super nice people and they even invited my husband on stage with them for a song. I knew from the moment I found Up the Ante they would be perfect, but they managed to exceed our expectations! Thank you so much Up the Ante, you are the best!!!!"

Yafit Shimoni, 16 July 2019, wedding at Castello Di Meleto, Gaiole In Chianti, Siena, Italy
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"We booked Up The Ante for our wedding in Spain and it was the best decision we could have made for our party and guests. James - the band's administrator, was a pleasure to work with from the start. He met with us in London to discuss our tastes and the atmosphere we were seeking and seemed to accommodate our every request. Flying them out from London to Spain could have been complicated but the band's easygoing nature and professionalism made this simple and hassle-free. And then the party. This band rocks! We wanted a rock/pop party and we got it in spades! Nobody left the dancefloor while the band was on and when they agreed to continue playing for another hour the whole place went nuts! It was the best dance party and rock show any wedding could ask for and if you're looking for great guys who can read a crowd and give them EXACTLY what they want, stop your search and book Up The Ante. You will not regret it."

Jordon Klarenbach, 3 May 2019, wedding at Castell d'Empordà, Spain
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"The band were amazing, everyone loved them - and they did their utmost to please our musical tastes which was really important to us. They were polished but the sound was raw which is exactly what we wanted. A last-minute find for us so felt lucky to get such good quality and worth every penny. Would definitely hire them again if we have another party and would recommend to others."

Anna Majumdar, 17 April 2019, wedding at The Oak Grove, Kent
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Up the Ante were better than we could ever have expected for our wedding at Winters Barns, Canterbury. They knew exactly how to read our crowd and that is testament to them as we had such a diverse range of people (old, young, foreign). We can strongly recommend them to anyone, they even managed to get my Dad and brother dancing, which has never happened before. It was a great set and they nailed it, with many of our guests saying it was the best wedding they have been too and I think a large part of that is due to Up the Ante! Thanks guys! Andrew & Ging."

Andrew Graham, 10 February 2019, wedding at Winters Barns, Canterbury, Kent, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi James, thank you so much for playing at my 60th birthday party. The band really made the night and everyone commented on how fabulous they (and the two very talented singers) were! We’ll definitely be booking you again for parties in the future."

Jon Greene, 29 December 2018, birthday party in Hertfordshire
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hello James, I have to say how BRILLIANT the band were on Saturday. People have been raving about them ever since. I particularly loved your rendition of Superstition!! Thanks once again!"

Tara Bell, 12 December 2018, corporate Christmas party in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic
Set List

Shut Up and Dance - Walk The Moon

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Ho Hey - Lumineers

I Believe in a Thing Called Love - The Darkness

Place Your Hands - Reef

Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

I Will Wait - Mumford and Sons

I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry / Marty McFly

Riptide - Vance Joy

Summer of ‘69 - Bryan Adams

Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus

Don’t Look Back In Anger - Oasis

Somebody Told Me - The Killers

Dakota - Stereophonics

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis

Parklife - Blur

Times Like These - Foo Fighters

Blinding Lights - The Weekend

Last Nite - The Strokes

Take On Me - A-ha

I’ll Be There for You (Friends Theme) - The Rembrandts

Give a Little Respect - Erasure / Wheatus

Twist and Shout - The Beatles

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Together in Electric Dreams - Phil Oakey & Giogio Moroder

Yellow - Coldplay

R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Aretha Franklin

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles

I'm a Believer - The Monkees / Smash Mouth

Get Lucky - Daft Punk

Can’t Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake

Happy - Pharrell

Alright Now - Free

Wonderwall - Oasis

Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Stuck in the Middle with You - Stealers’ Wheel

She’s Electric - Oasis

Jump - Van Halen

Lonely Boy - The Black Keys

Song 2 - Blur

All the Small Things - Blink 182

Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand

Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns ‘n’ Roses

Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Footloose - Kenny Loggins

Champagne Supernova - Oasis

You Really Got Me - The Kinks

Live Forever - Oasis

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Stand By Me - Ben E King

I Feel Good (I Got You) - James Brown

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Hey Jude - The Beatles

Molly’s Chamber - Kings of Leon

I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs

Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones

Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters

Everlong - Foo Fighters

Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine

Paradise - George Ezra

Budapest - George Ezra

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

Proud Mary - Tina Turner

Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys

With or Without You - U2

You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon

Hey Ya - Outkast

Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

All These Things I Have Done - The Killers

Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash

See Full Set List
FAQs
How do I book Up The Ante Band for my event?Just send us an enquiry on FixTheMusic (which is free to use) and we'll respond directly to you with a quote. When you're ready to book, you just need to pay a 25% deposit securely on FixTheMusic.
What type of music does the band play and can I have an input?We play an eclectic blend of music from the 60s through to modern chart hits in order to cater for every occasion. We will always discuss your musical preferences with you before the event in order to create the perfect party atmosphere tailored to your needs.
Can the band play special requests?We are happy to play one or two special requests in order to personalise your event.
How long does the band play for and what happens in the breaks?The band typically play 2 x 1-hour sets or 3 x 40-minute sets and play music from an iPod or laptop in any breaks and after the performance until our agreed finish time. We can play music from your iPod if you prefer. For really seamless transitions and a party into the small hours why not consider our DJ option.
Does the band have public liability insurance?Yes, we are covered by The Musicians Union up to 10 million pounds and will provide a certificate on request.
Is the band’s equipment PAT tested?Yes, all our equipment is regularly PAT tested and a certificate will be provided on request.
How much space does the band need?The 3-piece band requires a 3m x 2m flat surface or stage to perform on. The 4-piece band will require a larger area of 4m x 3m.
When do the band set up and how long does it take?The band generally arrive at 6pm and take around 1 hour to set up and line check depending on ease of access.
Do I need to provide PA or lighting equipment?We bring a full 4K PA system (suitable for up to 300-400 people) and stage lighting to every event.
Will the band be able to play if there is a sound limiter?We regularly work with sound limiters and generally they are not too much of a problem. However, you should always check decibel settings with the venue and bandleader prior to booking.
Can I see the band perform live before my event?Due to the nature of the band, our public gigs are a little infrequent. Please watch our videos and listen to our audio samples to get an idea of how we will look and sound! All the videos and MP3s on our profile were recorded live and without any overdubbing or special effects and give a very clear indication of how we look and sound live.
Do I need to provide anything else for the band on the night?Generally, we spend anything from 6 and 10 hours on an event so we do ask for a hot meal and a few soft drinks to be provided.
Audio samples
Dakota
I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Last Nite
Twist And Shout
Place Your Hands
Check availability
Add to Shortlist