HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a saxophonist in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A saxophonist in Ireland costs €300–€800 per booking, typically around €500. 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.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a saxophonist in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers saxophonist work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — background Music — saxophonists can provide soothing background music during meals or mingling sessions at events.
- How does duration of the performance change the price?The time agreed is what the quote is built on. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does complexity of the setup change the price?It changes the risk the provider is taking on. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does experience of the musician change the price?A specialist charges above a generalist for the same hours. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Ensemble Collaborations — saxophonists often collaborate with other musicians, such as pianists or guitarists, to create a fuller sound — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a saxophonist 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 saxophonist work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — background Music — saxophonists can provide soothing background music during meals or mingling sessions at events.
A good answer: The time agreed is what the quote is built on. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It changes the risk the provider is taking on. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A specialist charges above a generalist for the same hours. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Ensemble Collaborations — saxophonists often collaborate with other musicians, such as pianists or guitarists, to create a fuller sound — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a saxophonist 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 — solo Performances — A solo saxophonist can provide captivating performances for events such as weddings, corporate functions, or private parties.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the saxophonist starts, and an itemised invoice after — saxophonist for Private Parties — offers personalised sets for private celebrations, catering to specific tastes and themes.
Getting the quote right
- Duration of the performance — the time agreed is what the quote is built on.
- Complexity of the setup — it changes the risk the provider is taking on.
- Experience of the musician — a specialist charges above a generalist for the same hours.
- Travel distance — the journey is paid for whether the job takes an hour or a day.
- 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: duration of the performance — the time agreed is what the quote is built on
- They will not talk about it: complexity of the setup — it changes the risk the provider is taking on
- They will not talk about it: experience of the musician — a specialist charges above a generalist for the same hours
- A price for the saxophonist 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 saxophonist has begun
What a saxophonist costs: €300–€800 per booking
The figures are for the job, per booking, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Solo saxophonist and Saxophonist with backing tracks each carry their own band. Saxophonist 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
Saxophonists 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 firstDuration of the performance — the time agreed is what the quote is built on — that is what the saxophonist is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneComplexity of the setup — it changes the risk the provider is taking on — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfExperience of the musician — a specialist charges above a generalist for the same hours — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherTravel distance — the journey is paid for whether the job takes an hour or a day — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the saxophonist is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, any special requests — it is the main thing that separates a simple job from a hard one.
- Solo Performances
- A solo saxophonist can provide captivating performances for events such as weddings, corporate functions, or private parties.
- Ensemble Collaborations
- Saxophonists often collaborate with other musicians, such as pianists or guitarists, to create a fuller sound.
- Background Music
- Saxophonists can provide soothing background music during meals or mingling sessions at events.
- Solo Saxophonist
- A solo performer who plays the saxophone, perfect for intimate settings like weddings or small gatherings.
- Saxophonist with Backing Tracks
- A saxophonist who performs alongside pre-recorded music, ideal for larger events with a full sound.
- Saxophonist in a Band
- A saxophonist who plays as part of a band, providing a dynamic and energetic performance for live music venues.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a saxophonist: questions people ask
The cost of hiring a saxophonist can vary based on experience, location, and the duration of the performance. Additional factors such as travel expenses, equipment needs, and the complexity of the setlist can also impact pricing.
Saxophonists typically perform for 1-3 hours, depending on the event's requirements. Breaks may be included in longer performances, so it's important to discuss the schedule with the musician beforehand.
While it is possible to find saxophonists available for same-day bookings, options may be limited, and prices could be higher. It's advisable to contact musicians directly to check their availability and any potential additional fees.
Yes, many saxophonists can coordinate with other musicians for ensemble performances. Booking multiple related jobs can often lead to package discounts, so it's worth discussing your needs with the saxophonist.
Saxophonists usually do not provide event planning, full sound system setups, or lighting services unless specified in their contract. It's important to clarify these details upfront to avoid misunderstandings.
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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