HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a solo musician in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A solo musician in Ireland costs €250–€700 per booking, typically around €400. 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 solo musician in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers solo musician work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — duration of Performance — performances generally last from one to three hours, depending on the event's needs.
- How does musician's experience change the price?An expert spots in minutes what takes somebody else an hour. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does type of event change the price?The look you want decides the method, and the method sets the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of performance change the price?Most of this work is priced by the hour. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Song Selection — A solo musician typically allows clients to select songs from a setlist or request specific tracks — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a solo musician 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 solo musician work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — duration of Performance — performances generally last from one to three hours, depending on the event's needs.
A good answer: An expert spots in minutes what takes somebody else an hour. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The look you want decides the method, and the method sets the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Most of this work is priced by the hour. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Song Selection — A solo musician typically allows clients to select songs from a setlist or request specific tracks — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a solo musician 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 — performance Types — solo musicians can provide a variety of performance types, including acoustic sets for intimate gatherings, lively pop covers for parties, or classical pieces for weddings.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the solo musician starts, and an itemised invoice after — acoustic Musician — focuses on stripped-down performances with acoustic instruments, perfect for intimate settings.
Getting the quote right
- Musician's experience — an expert spots in minutes what takes somebody else an hour.
- Type of event — the look you want decides the method, and the method sets the price.
- Duration of performance — most of this work is priced by the hour.
- Complexity of the music — the work cannot be scheduled until this is known.
- 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: musician's experience — an expert spots in minutes what takes somebody else an hour
- They will not talk about it: type of event — the look you want decides the method, and the method sets the price
- They will not talk about it: duration of performance — most of this work is priced by the hour
- A price for the solo musician 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 solo musician has begun
What a solo musician costs: €250–€700 per booking
The figures are for the job, per booking, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Wedding musician and Corporate event performer each carry their own band. Solo Musician 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
Solo musicians 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 firstMusician's experience — an expert spots in minutes what takes somebody else an hour — that is what the solo musician is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneType of event — the look you want decides the method, and the method sets the price — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfDuration of performance — most of this work is priced by the hour — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherComplexity of the music — the work cannot be scheduled until this is known — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the solo musician is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, travel distance — a local provider saves you the travel element entirely.
- Performance Types
- Solo musicians can provide a variety of performance types, including acoustic sets for intimate gatherings, lively pop covers for parties, or classical pieces for weddings.
- Song Selection
- A solo musician typically allows clients to select songs from a setlist or request specific tracks.
- Duration of Performance
- Performances generally last from one to three hours, depending on the event's needs.
- Wedding Musician
- Performs romantic songs during wedding ceremonies and receptions, creating a memorable atmosphere.
- Corporate Event Performer
- Provides entertainment for corporate functions, engaging attendees with a professional and polished performance.
- Private Party Entertainer
- Brings lively music to private gatherings, adapting the performance to fit the party's theme and mood.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a solo musician: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on the musician's experience, the type of event, duration of performance, and location. Additionally, special requests for specific songs or genres may also affect the overall price.
For most events, a general solo musician is sufficient, as they can adapt their performance to various genres and styles. However, if you have specific musical requirements, such as classical or jazz, you may want to hire a musician with expertise in that area.
Same-day bookings can be challenging, but some musicians may accommodate last-minute requests if they are available. It's best to contact them directly to discuss your needs and see if they can fit you into their schedule.
Many solo musicians can coordinate with other artists or services, such as DJs or bands, to create a complete entertainment package. Discussing this during the initial inquiry can help streamline the planning process.
Solo musicians typically do not provide event planning, venue decoration, or catering services. Their primary focus is on the musical performance, so any additional services should be arranged separately.
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.
MORE GUIDES