HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire an acoustic duo in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
An acoustic duo in Ireland costs €400–€1,000 per booking, typically around €600. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
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THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring an acoustic duo in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers acoustic duo work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — equipment Provided — most acoustic duos come equipped with essential sound gear, including microphones and amplifiers.
- How does duo's experience change the price?Years on the job are part of what you are paying for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of the performance change the price?A full day is the cheapest way to buy a lot of hours. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does location of the event change the price?Being far from the main towns narrows the choice and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Performance Settings — acoustic duos are versatile and can perform at various events such as weddings, private parties, and corporate functions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a acoustic duo job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Public liability insurance at the level YOUR VENUE requires — ask the venue first, then the supplier, because the venue sets the number; For anything with a structure or a ride, the inspection or test certificate; A written contract with the date, the hours, the set-up time and the overtime rate; What happens if they are ill — a named arrangement, not reassurance; Whether they have played your venue before, and what the power and access are like; PAT testing on their equipment, which many venues ask to see.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers acoustic duo work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — equipment Provided — most acoustic duos come equipped with essential sound gear, including microphones and amplifiers.
A good answer: Years on the job are part of what you are paying for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A full day is the cheapest way to buy a lot of hours. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Being far from the main towns narrows the choice and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Performance Settings — acoustic duos are versatile and can perform at various events such as weddings, private parties, and corporate functions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a acoustic duo job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew — musical Genres — an acoustic duo typically performs a variety of musical genres including pop, rock, and folk.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the acoustic duo starts, and an itemised invoice after — fundraising Events — performing at charity events to entertain guests while supporting a good cause.
Getting the quote right
- Duo's experience — years on the job are part of what you are paying for.
- Duration of the performance — a full day is the cheapest way to buy a lot of hours.
- Location of the event — being far from the main towns narrows the choice and lifts the price.
- Complexity of the setup — no two bespoke jobs take the same time, so quotes run higher.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: duo's experience — years on the job are part of what you are paying for
- They will not talk about it: duration of the performance — a full day is the cheapest way to buy a lot of hours
- They will not talk about it: location of the event — being far from the main towns narrows the choice and lifts the price
- A price for the acoustic duo before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the acoustic duo has begun
What an acoustic duo costs: €400–€1,000 per booking
The figures are for the job, per booking, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Wedding entertainment and Corporate events each carry their own band. Acoustic Duo price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Acoustic duos near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstDuo's experience — years on the job are part of what you are paying for — that is what the acoustic duo is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneDuration of the performance — a full day is the cheapest way to buy a lot of hours — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfLocation of the event — being far from the main towns narrows the choice and lifts the price — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherComplexity of the setup — no two bespoke jobs take the same time, so quotes run higher — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the acoustic duo is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, travel distance to the venue — travel is the difference between two otherwise identical quotes.
- Musical Genres
- An acoustic duo typically performs a variety of musical genres including pop, rock, and folk.
- Performance Settings
- Acoustic duos are versatile and can perform at various events such as weddings, private parties, and corporate functions.
- Equipment Provided
- Most acoustic duos come equipped with essential sound gear, including microphones and amplifiers.
- Corporate Events
- Performing at company functions to create a pleasant atmosphere for networking and celebrations.
- Private Parties
- Offering live music for birthdays, anniversaries, or themed parties to enhance the celebration.
- Public Performances
- Playing at local events, festivals, or community gatherings to engage with a wider audience.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring an acoustic duo: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on the duo's experience, the duration of the performance, and the location of the event. Additionally, demand for specific dates or events can also affect pricing.
Most performances last between 2 to 3 hours, often divided into sets with breaks. Clients can discuss their specific needs with the duo to arrange the timing.
Same-day bookings can be challenging due to availability, but some duos may accommodate last-minute requests. It’s best to contact them directly to discuss your needs.
Yes, many acoustic duos can collaborate with other entertainers, such as DJs or bands, to create a comprehensive entertainment package for your event. Consider the venue's acoustics and space for the duo to perform comfortably.
Acoustic duos generally do not provide extensive sound systems or lighting setups, as their focus is on live music performance. Clients may need to arrange these separately if required.
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
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