Browse 625 soul singers available to hire worldwide, with 944 reviews from real clients and an average rating of 5 out of 5. Listings here cover solo soul vocalists performing acoustically, with backing tracks, or alongside a pianist, guitarist or full band, with rates starting from $110 and averaging $400.
Singers in this category specialise in Motown, classic soul, neo-soul and contemporary R&B, with most happy to learn first-dance songs or specific requests on top of their existing repertoire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rates for soul singers run from around $110 for a solo vocalist with backing tracks at a local event up to $1,200+ for an established performer travelling with their own band, with the typical booking landing around $400. 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.
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