Alternative Bands for Hire in Santa Barbara

Browse 119 alternative bands available for hire in Santa Barbara, California, United States, offering indie rock, grunge and unconventional musical entertainment. These alternative acts have received 129 reviews from real clients, averaging 5 out of 5 stars with an average booking price of $550.

All 119 suppliers listed here are willing to travel to Santa Barbara. The nearest is based in Northridge, 68 miles away.

Rated Excellent (5/5) from 129 reviews of Alternative Bands
Home > Alternative Bands > United States > Santa Barbara
3 peice rock, country top 40's from the 80's throught to now

San Antonio

Texas · 1,288 miles away

No reviews yet Replies in ~1 hr

Book from $600 (USD)

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5 piece art rock band from America with influences ranging from ELO to the clash

Lincoln

Nebraska · 1,331 miles away

No reviews yet

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Rock Band + Solo Guitarist / Singer / Singer Guitarist

Naperville

Illinois · 1,778 miles away

(5)

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Reggae Singer/Song Writer/ Entertainer/Music Producer/Multi-Instrumentalist

Toronto

Ontario, Canada · 2,230 miles away

(1)

Book from $3500 (CAD)

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Solo with originals and covers, Ideal for weddings, live shows and festivals

Toronto

Ontario, Canada · 2,230 miles away

No reviews yet

Book from $500 (CAD)

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5 Piece band paying Tribute to the 90s and Early 2000s

Tampa

Florida · 2,233 miles away

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Providing solo, duo, or 4 piece or more live band w/singer(s). Jazz, RnB, & Pop

Durham

North Carolina · 2,289 miles away

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Book from $750 (USD)

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Rock and Blues Trio

Raleigh

North Carolina · 2,306 miles away

(3)

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Singer full time entertainer -Loop artist/Multi-instrumentalist

Stuart

Florida · 2,378 miles away

No reviews yet

Book from $500 (USD)

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Psychedelic rock

Lancaster

Pennsylvania · 2,395 miles away

No reviews yet

Book from $2500 (USD)

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Solo or duo acoustic and percussion

Fort Lauderdale

Florida · 2,413 miles away

No reviews yet

Book from $150 (USD)

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We are a 4-piece rock cover band based in South Florida. We play the hits!

Miami

Florida · 2,420 miles away

(9) Replies in ~1 hr

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A solo Singer/Songwriter who plays mainly Acoustic Guitar and sometimes Piano

Miami

Florida · 2,420 miles away

(1)

Book from $250 (USD)

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Cuban house music live act duo, perfect for nightclub show

Miami

Florida · 2,420 miles away

(1)

Book from $300 (USD)

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Solo acoustic singer/guitarist performing songs primarily from the 80's and 90's

Center City

Pennsylvania · 2,456 miles away

(2)

Book from $100 (USD)

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Showing 19-33 of 119 results

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How much does it cost to hire Alternative Bands in Santa Barbara?

$Low price
from$130USD
$$Average price
from$550USD
$$$High price
from$2,250USD

Rates for alternative bands in Santa Barbara typically run between about $130 and $2,250+, with an average booking cost of $550. Pricing typically reflects the band's experience, performance duration and requirements such as sound equipment or special staging. Indie rock groups may offer different rate structures depending on whether they focus on original material or alternative interpretations of popular songs. Contact the supplier you like for an accurate quote.

What our enquiries show

Based on 90 enquiries for Alternative Bands at events in the United States, made through this site in the last two years. Updated 15 November 2026.

Typical first reply
Within six hours
66% of enquiries get a reply within a day
How early people enquire
About five weeks
49% enquire less than a month before the event
Busiest months
April to August
54% of events take place in these months

Reviews of Alternative Bands available in Santa Barbara

5/5 from 129 reviews
Photo of Mike Goodrick Mike Goodrick "We've had the pleasure of having Mike play at our Cider Taproom regularly, and the vibe he brings to the room is always a hit. Whether he's covering pop, rock, or indie favorites, he connects with our customers and makes every night feel special. But the real game-changer has been his Acoustic Emo Nights. Every time he hosts one, our profits jump by at least 40% compared to a regular night. The energy is incredible, and the crowd loves the all-requests format. It's become one of our most popular events, and we can't recommend him enough for any venue looking to draw a crowd and keep them coming back." Based in Phoenix, Arizona (442 miles from Santa Barbara) Josh Duren - Restaraunt Photo of Wendy Clark Band Wendy Clark Band "Wendy and her crew are seasoned musicians and engaging performers." Based in Denver, Colorado (889 miles from Santa Barbara) Luke Schmaltz Photo of The Unknowns The Unknowns "There are songs that just stand out because they are so different from everything out there. “Stay Down Kat”, by The Unknowns, is definitely one of those songs. There’s a suave, jazzy, bluesy feel to this song, with great lead and backing vocals. It’s sultry, sensual, mysterious, and controlled, yet it has its powerful moments. And who can resist a great sax solo? Those things will draw you in, and soon The Unknowns will be known." Based in Bellingham, Washington (1,001 miles from Santa Barbara) George Duchow - WRGG Radio Photo of Michael.C Michael.C "I hired Michael to play guitar at both public and private events numerous times and he’s always prepared and did a good job!" Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (1,039 miles from Santa Barbara) 5th March 2026 Long Lai - Wedding and corporate parties Photo of BackForward / Adam Cartwright BackForward / Adam Cartwright "Talented across the board! We were blown away by Adam’s professionalism, attention to detail, musical talent and fun factor at our recent party! The cherry on top was his ability to take great quality professional photos! Adam was a great MC who took my DJ playlist inspiration and ran with it to create the perfect playlist for our party. And we can’t forget the Taylor Swift meets Coachella rendition of Happy Birthday which flowed into Jack & Diane. Such a fantastic addition to the event!" Based in Naperville, Illinois (1,778 miles from Santa Barbara) Derek - Private Party Photo of Jungleman Jungleman "Love The Music. Love The Vocals. Like To See You Perform Live" Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (2,230 miles from Santa Barbara) 28th May 2026 Dwayne - Personal

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There are currently 129 reviews of Alternative Bands in our review centre and the average rating is 5/5.

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Frequently asked questions

The average price for alternative bands on Gig Heaven is $550, with rates from $130 to $2,250+. Cost depends on the number of band members, set duration and equipment requirements. Alternative bands vary in size and style, so comparing profiles is useful for finding the right sound and energy for your event.

The alternative bands for hire perform a range of alternative and indie music styles, including indie rock, alternative rock, post-punk, shoegaze and modern alternative hits. Many bands cover well-known alternative tracks from the 1990s through to the present day.

Hiring alternative bands suits a wide range of events including weddings, birthday parties, bar and club nights, corporate events and festivals where clients want something different from a mainstream pop or rock band. The style suits events with a younger or more musically adventurous audience.

Most alternative bands are self-contained and provide their own instruments, amplifiers and PA system. For larger venues or outdoor stages, additional sound equipment may be required. To get the best results, discuss technical requirements with the band before booking.

Yes, either add suppliers to your favourites and contact them all at once, or use the find a supplier wizard.

Booking as early as possible increases the chance of securing your supplier's availability on your event date, particularly during busy times of the year. However, many suppliers also accept last minute bookings, and we have successfully arranged bookings for clients with just a few hours' notice.

Contact the supplier you are interested in booking by clicking "Contact Now" on their listing. Discuss your requirements using our messaging system or join a video meeting (like a Zoom-call) to speak face-to-face. Once you are ready to confirm your booking, simply ask the supplier to send you a contract, which you can agree to online, or request amendments. Once you agree to the contract you will be asked to pay a 10% booking fee to confirm the booking, with the balance payable directly to the supplier by the due date you've agreed on.

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