The Get Downs - Swing & Soul Band to hire

One of the UK's most popular party bands - winners of the Bridebook Wedding Awards and National Finalists in The Wedding Industry Awards

SWING | JIVE | SOUL | MOTOWN | POP | PARTY BAND

The Get Downs is a swing and soul band available for hire for functions in the UK and internationally.

The Get Downs is Down for the Count's original line-up - formed in 2005, it is now one of the most popular swing and soul bands in the UK. The band is constantly in demand for functions, wedding receptions and corporate events. Our previous clients include Ferrari, BMW, Triumph, Virgin, Lindt and Bentley and we have performed throughout the world, from Paris to Morocco.

The band plays a huge range of music from the swing, soul and Motown eras, great at getting audiences of all ages up and dancing. The band goes down fantastically at wedding receptions or any other event where you want to get your guests dancing.

The band has a wide and varied repertoire list, meaning there is something for everyone in each performance. We play classic big band swing music from artists such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, and soul and Motown music from Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. You can also expect to hear modern pop songs from the likes of Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars and Paolo Nutini.

We also perform sensational Israeli dancing music for Jewish weddings, bat and bar mitzvahs - find out more here!

Each and every song the band performs has been custom-written for the band and every note you hear is live - unlike many bands we don't use click tracks or backing tracks. This gives our band a fantastic sound that really makes it stand out from the crowd.

This band has performed at exclusive events throughout the UK and abroad, and was recently described as "exceptional" by Deborah Meaden (BBC's Dragon's Den).

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Previous Clients

Clients

Audio

Line-ups

The Get Downs can perform as anything from a 6-piece band (see The Get Downs Lite) to a 27-piece Orchestra. Here are some of the most popular line-up options.

  • 9-piece band (our standard line up) - female vocals, piano, bass, guitar, drums, x2 trumpets, x2 saxophones
  • 12-piece band - x2 vocalists, piano, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, x2 trumpets, x3 saxophones
  • 15-piece band - x4 vocalists, piano, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards, x2 trumpets, x3 saxophones
  • 18-piece band - x4 vocalists, piano, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards, x2 trumpets, x3 saxophones, x3 strings
  • 27-piece orchestra - x4 vocalists, x5 horns, x6-piece rhythm section and x12 string players


Visit The Get Downs Lite to find out about the 6- and 7-piece versions of the band.

The Get Downs Testimonials

"I cannot thank you and the band enough. We simply couldn't have been happier with everything you did for us and the feedback has been extraordinary. YOU NAILED IT!"

Emma & Tom

Wedding Reception, Sussex

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"You and your band were fantastic, not just brilliant at the music but also lovely, helpful and a total pleasure to work with. You were exceptional."

 

Deborah Meaden

BBC's Dragon's Den

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"All our guests made for the dance floor and were thoroughly entertained and I can't recommend them highly enough. Delightful people and they certainly add value to your event!"

Jo Flanerty

Epilepsy Research UK Charity Ball

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The Get Downs: Set list

We've never played exactly the same set twice, but this is a fairly typical set list for most functions, weddings and corporate events. We play a mixture of swing, jazz, big band, soul, Motown and pop repertoire – this always gets people dancing.

We always keep your requests in mind when planning what to play at each party, and treat each performance separately. Please use this set list as a starting point, and get in touch with your ideas. You can download the full repertoire list below. Would you prefer two soul and pop sets? No problem - take a look at our pop and soul band Capital Sounds Showband!

Remember that all of Down for the Count's bands perform completely live with no click tracks or backing tracks!

Set One
SWING & JIVE (60 minutes)

Sing, Sing, Sing
Well Alright, OK, You Win
Twistin' the Night Away
Jump, Jive & Wail
Sway
Feeling Good
Ain't That a Kick In the Head
Cheek to Cheek
Mambo Italiano
Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano
Beyond the Sea
I've Got You Under My Skin
I Wanna Be Like You
L-O-V-E
Moondance
Reet Petite
In The Mood
My Baby Just Cares For Me
Fly Me To The Moon
Mack the Knife

Set Two
SOUL & MOTOWN (60 minutes)

Car Wash
Blame it on the Boogie
Superstition
Think
Respect
You Can't Hurry Love
Heatwave
Dancing in the Street
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Rescue Me
I Say a Little Prayer for You
Best of My Love
I'm Every Woman
Finally
Lady Marmalade
I Feel Good
Valerie
Sir Duke
September
Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Encore:
New York, New York

See more

Full repertoire list

Not quite what you're looking for?

Down for the Count are not an agency - we're a collective of 30 professional musicians who perform together in a range of different line-ups. 

If The Get Downs aren't quite the right band for you, there's a good chance one of our other bands will be perfect:

  • Capital Sounds Showband

    Capital Sounds Showband

    Our premium party band Capital Sounds Showband is similar to the Get Downs but it's line-up is more geared towards pop and soul music, and comes as a 10-piece band and larger.

  • The Vintage Swing Collective

    The Vintage Swing Collective

    When booking The Get Downs, you can give you guests an extra something special to remember - a live vintage dance performance from our amazing professional dancers, who can also lead a short, interactive dance lesson before the band takes to the stage.

  • The Get Downs Lite

    The Get Downs Lite

    If your budget doesn't quite stretch to our larger bands, check out The Get Downs Lite - the 6- or 7-piece version of our most popular party band The Get Downs.

  • The Lady Gatsby Jazz Band

    The Lady Gatsby Jazz Band

    Our 1920s line-up - this band is essentially a smaller version of The Get Downs and performs just vintage jazz and swing music, plus modern songs performed in a vintage style.

  • Down for the Count (Vintage Swing Orchestra)

    Down for the Count (Vintage Swing Orchestra)

    If swing and jive music is your thing, check out Down for the Count Swing Orchestra - one of the most in-demand bands on the UK vintage scene.

  • Get Brassy

    Get Brassy

    A completely acoustic brass band with a huge sound, playing funky New Orleans-inspired arrangements of your party favourites. Perfect at venues which prohibit amplified instruments.

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