Soul Singers for Hire

Hire Soul Singers

A soul vocalist brings a different feel to an event than a full band. Where a group fills the room and drives a dance floor, a solo soul singer carries the emotion in the voice itself, which is why soulful singers are so often booked for moments that matter most: the first dance, a drinks reception, the ceremony, or a quiet acoustic set during dinner before things move up a gear later in the evening.

Solo, Duo or With a Band

Most soul singers offer more than one performance format. The most common is solo with backing tracks, which gives a near-full-band sound while keeping the booking budget and stage footprint small. Many also perform as a duo with a pianist or guitarist, which suits ceremonies and refined receptions, and a number front their own band when a fuller live sound is wanted. If you specifically want a group rather than a vocalist-led act, browse soul bands or Motown bands instead.

Repertoire and Style

Soul covers a wide stylistic range, and most performers list their core repertoire on their profile so you can check the fit before enquiring. Classic soul singers focus on Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and the wider Stax and Motown catalogues. Modern soul vocalists work in the territory of Adele, Sam Smith, John Legend and Joss Stone. There is also crossover with R&B vocalists and jazz singers, particularly for performers with a church-trained vocal background. Most soulful singers will learn one or two specific songs for a wedding or milestone event without an extra fee, provided there is reasonable notice.

Weddings, Parties and Corporate Events

Soul singers are a natural fit for weddings, where the same vocalist can cover the ceremony, drinks reception and first dance across an afternoon. For parties and milestone birthdays, an upbeat soul soloist with backing tracks gets a smaller crowd dancing where a full band would feel too much. Corporate events and gala dinners often book a soul vocalist to perform during arrivals and the meal, with a separate wedding singer or DJ taking over later. Sets typically run as either two 45-minute slots or three 30-minute slots, with breaks between, and most performers can extend or split sets to fit a running order.

What Soul Singers Cost

Rates for soul singers run from around $47 for a solo vocalist with backing tracks at a local event up to $5837 for an established performer travelling with their own band, with the typical booking landing around $689. The main cost variables are line-up (solo, duo, full band), set length, travel distance, and whether a PA system is provided by the venue or supplied by the act. Most soloists carry their own vocal PA suitable for rooms up to around 150 guests; larger venues usually need an in-house system or sound engineer.