How big a band do we need?

It depends on the room and the crowd. A smaller group suits a smaller room, and a full band with horns needs a stage and the space to be heard properly. Tell us the venue and the guest count and we will recommend a size.

How do we choose between a band and a DJ?

You can book both. A band brings the energy of live players, and a DJ can play the exact recordings you love. A common plan is a band for the main sets and a DJ before, between and after, so the music carries on when the players take a break. If the room or the plan only allows one, tell us how you want the night to feel and we will suggest which.

Can the band play our first dance or a special request?

Ask early. Send us the song with your enquiry and we will confirm with the band whether it can be played live on the night.

What happens when the band takes a break?

The music carries on. Bands usually play recorded music between sets, and if you want the floor kept full we can book a DJ to work around the band.

Who looks after sound and staging?

Tell us what the venue provides. We coordinate the sound and staging needs between the act and the venue so it is settled before the day.

Can we see who we would be booking?

Yes. We don't publish names on this site. Once we know your date, your room and the kind of night you want, we send you options to look at and listen to before you decide anything.

Live bands for hire in Calgary

Shaw Entertainment books live bands for weddings, corporate events, galas and private parties in Calgary and across Canada. Tell us the room, the guests and the night you want, and we match the band to it.

A band on stage, the singer in a hat with his arms out to the crowd

Nothing creates energy like a great live band.

Choose from entertainment options suitable for weddings, corporate events, private parties, festivals, galas, and celebrations.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958

What a live band can be

A party band's lead singer reaching out to the crowd from the stage

Party and cover bands: Full bands with singers out front, playing the songs a mixed room knows, from Motown and disco to this year's charts.
Bands by style: Rock, pop, country, swing, blues, Celtic. When the night has a theme or the crowd has a clear taste, we look for a band that lives in that style, such as country for a Stampede party.
Jazz and swing bands: A quartet for the reception or a larger band with horns for a ballroom. Standards and swing, played for dinner or for dancing at a gala or a charity dinner.
A band and a DJ together: A band for the main sets and a DJ before, between and after, so the music carries on when the players take a break.
Smaller line-ups: A trio or a four-piece when the room, the stage or the budget is small. The sound is scaled to the space. For something quieter still, see soloists, duos and trios.

Looking for Unique Party Band?

Unique Party Band is the live party band from the same team, booked for corporate events, galas and wedding receptions. The band has its own site.

Visit uniquepartyband.ca

Occasions it suits

What to tell us

Four things let us match the act to the event. If you don't know one of them yet, say so and we will work with what you have. Booking more than one act? See how we plan the entertainment around your agenda.

The room: Stage size, ceiling height and where the band can load in. A big band in a small room is nobody's favourite night.
Guest count: How many people, and roughly how many of them you expect to dance.
The mood: A few songs or artists you love, and anything you never want to hear.
The programme: Whether there are speeches or a dinner before the dancing, and when the venue needs the music to stop.

What affects the cost of a live band?

The size of the line-up, how long the band plays, the date and the season, any travel to the venue, and what the room needs for stage and sound. We don't publish a price list, so tell us the room and the guest count and we will come back with a quote for your night.

Questions people ask

How big a band do we need?: It depends on the room and the crowd. A smaller group suits a smaller room, and a full band with horns needs a stage and the space to be heard properly. Tell us the venue and the guest count and we will recommend a size.
How do we choose between a band and a DJ?: You can book both. A band brings the energy of live players, and a DJ can play the exact recordings you love. A common plan is a band for the main sets and a DJ before, between and after, so the music carries on when the players take a break. If the room or the plan only allows one, tell us how you want the night to feel and we will suggest which.
Can the band play our first dance or a special request?: Ask early. Send us the song with your enquiry and we will confirm with the band whether it can be played live on the night.
What happens when the band takes a break?: The music carries on. Bands usually play recorded music between sets, and if you want the floor kept full we can book a DJ to work around the band.
Who looks after sound and staging?: Tell us what the venue provides. We coordinate the sound and staging needs between the act and the venue so it is settled before the day.
Can we see who we would be booking?: Yes. We don't publish names on this site. Once we know your date, your room and the kind of night you want, we send you options to look at and listen to before you decide anything.

Tell us about your night

Choose the occasion and what you are looking for. It takes a few minutes and gives us a proper brief to work from.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958