Music can make a wedding into a night to remember or a night to forget. However, picking a good wedding band is not always easy.
From singers that sound like dying cats to drummers playing offbeat, the wedding band determines the fate of your wedding.
So, if you don’t want to let your wedding be the one everybody talks about for the wrong reasons, you’re in luck.
We, the writing team at the Best Calgary, did research on all the best bands to call and who will make the day you say “I do” one to remember.
How much does it cost to hire a wedding band in Calgary?
It costs at least 500 CAD to hire a wedding band in Calgary. However, this price is just an estimate. The actual cost will depend on the band’s popularity, the travel time, the date, and other factors.
Table of Contents
1. The Two Bit Bandits
Address: 12243 Canfield Rd SW
Contact Details: +1 403-804-7168
The Two Bit Bandits have a fantastic ability to create an atmosphere as vibrant and energetic as their music.
We were impressed by how they blend classic rock with modern hits, keeping the dance floor packed all night. People also love how they flawlessly transition from energetic dances to romantic ballads.
We especially admire their ability to appeal to every generation. Many told us their dance floors are always packed, with grandparents swaying to old songs and people getting down to 90s tunes.
We were also delighted by their professionalism and flexibility. The fact that they provide DJ services between sets makes it super easy to keep the music going all night.
The only slight drawback was that hearing back from them after filling out their online contact form took a few days, which can be inconvenient if pressed for time.
A very talented band
“The Two Bit Bandits were the band at our wedding reception in May 2024. Choosing them was definitely one of the best decisions we made when planning for our wedding day and the dance floor was packed the ENTIRE night until the very end! The set lists they performed were a perfect balance of something for everyone, and they DJ-ed over dinner and the songs that we wanted in between sets. They’re a very talented band and we’re so happy we hired them.”
– Jaedyn Paquette, Google Reviews
Incredible variety of music
“We had The Two Bid Bandits play at our wedding, and they were absolutely phenomenal! They kept the dance floor going all night long with an incredible variety of music that catered to all of our guests. Not only were they the highlight of our wedding, but they were true professionals from start to finish. These guys truly just showed up and set everything up perfectly. They needed no direction and worked seemlessly with the venue. If you’re looking for a band that will keep the energy high and make your event unforgettable, look no further. We can’t recommend them enough! 10/10.”
– Matthew Bennett, Google Reviews
2. Side One Entertainment
Address: 50 Citadel Acres Close NW
Contact Details: +1 604-809-3746
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Side One Entertainment delivers on the non-cheesy wedding band experience. We like how their musicians effortlessly move between genres, keeping the dance floor packed.
We appreciate that they operate as a collective of incredibly talented musicians. They are all versed in the same extensive repertoire and adhere to the same high standards of music presentation, which means you’re guaranteed a top-tier wedding band.
We also admire how Side One demonstrates a refreshing understanding of the realities of wedding day timelines. They arrive ahead of schedule to account for potential delays, ensuring the music is never compromised.
Their flexibility and client-centric approach are also commendable. We like how Side One offers to learn any song you want for those first dances.
However, if we were to offer one suggestion, it would be for Side One to enrich its website with more information about its musicians.
Couples told us they would have liked to learn more in advance about the various music styles their musicians play to fit in with their wedding day vision.
On-point vocalist and strings
“Side One was our wedding band in Banff. They were excellent! Had us grooving from start to finish. Vocalists had great voices, and the strings, brass, and drums were on point! Would recommend Side One to anyone looking for a wedding band in Western Canda.”
– Michael Gadebusch, Google Reviews
Plays amazing songs
“Highly recommend this band. They played at our September 1st wedding. They were kind and on time and played amazing songs! Everyone that was at our wedding came up to us and said this is the best band they have ever seen at a wedding. The communication was great as well. Thank you again side one. You made our wedding an amazing one.”
– Marissa Mackler, Google Reviews
3. Barry Shaw and Unique
Address: 236 Chaparral Drive SE
Contact Details: +1 403-861-5958
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
We love how jazz entertainer Barry Shaw and Calgary and Banff’s top party band, the Unique, take the time to understand your vision. They work closely with you to build a playlist that reflects your style.
We’ve heard countless comments from couples about the band’s incredible responsiveness and their genuine enthusiasm for incorporating special requests.
Many also remarked on the band’s uncanny ability to intuitively read the room and adjust their set list to maintain the perfect energy.
One moment, you’re swinging to soulful Motown; the next, you’re vibing to contemporary pop, classic rock riffs, or even a fresh mashup.
We also appreciate the meticulousness of the organization, and their on-site performance is flawless.
In addition, people praise them for their thorough preparation, sharp attention to detail, and remarkable ability to handle unexpected moments.
However, Barry Shaw and Unique are not always available because they have such a glowing reputation. So, we recommend getting in touch with them well in advance.
Top-notch voices and energy
“We hired Barry and his band to play at our wedding celebration and were blown away. Their voices, their energy, the musicians were all top notch, they had our guests (and us) dancing the whole time. We had such a fun time and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for live Jazz, Funk, Swing music to class up your event.”
– Mallory Deyne, Google Reviews
Incredibly accommodating
“We hired Barry Shaw and Unique Calgary for our wedding. We were absolutely thrilled with our decision! They were amazing! The feedback we heard the most from our guests was how incredible the entertainment was. They read the crowd perfectly, kept the dance floor packed, and even learned music to perform during our ceremony and for our first dance. Barry was so very easy to work with and incredibly accommodating. Highly recommend!!! Thank you so much for everything!”
– Derek & Maggie, Google Reviews
4. One Nite Band
Contact Details: +1 403-390-8246
Operating Hours: 8 AM to 12 Midnight
One Nite Band—from the first chord to the final encore, we love how they deliver a wedding band experience that sticks with you long after your last dance.
What immediately impressed us was the sheer musical breadth. From classic oldies to modern hits, we like how they create a personalized set list for your wedding.
We particularly appreciated their willingness to tailor their instrumentation. In fact, many guests noted how the pianist created an intimate and romantic ambiance during the ceremony. Meanwhile, the whole band later unleashed an irresistible party atmosphere.
The rich soundscape they create is polished and utterly captivating. Their infectious energy is evident in the smiles on their faces and packed dance floors.
We also appreciate how smooth their communication is. Even from our very first inquiry, they answered all our questions properly.
The only thing we weren’t big fans of was the price. Although they are a little more expensive than some of the other wedding bands we checked out, they are still on our list because of their engaging sound.
Professional throughout the process
“We booked One Nite Band for our wedding. The band was a complete hit with our guests and played an incredible and fun performance that everyone appreciated. Everyone asked where we found them! Rob was a complete professional throughout the process and was flexible and helpful in the planning stage. They are passionate about getting the night right, and it showed.”
– Felziena, Google Reviews
Gives out amazing energy
“One Nite Band was incredible! They brought amazing energy and had everyone dancing all night. Their light show added a fantastic touch. Highly recommend!”
– Shelley Phillips, Google Reviews
5. Jesse Peters Music
Contact Details: +1 587-888-9784
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
From intimate local venues to high-profile gigs in the streets of New York and world tours, Jesse Peters’ experience as a musician is undeniable.
The moment we heard Jesse Peters perform, we were captivated. We love how Jesse has forged a deeply familiar and original sound.
Defining Jesse’s sound is like trying to capture lightning in a bottle—it is exhilarating and impossible to fully contain. Think Elton John’s melodies meet John Legend’s vocals, then throw in a bit of a 90s hip-hop mixtape. Trust us, it works brilliantly.
Many guests commented that Jesse’s music spoke directly to their souls, and his stage presence drew us in even more. Several people mentioned how moved they were by the raw honesty in his song lyrics.
However, while we love how Jesse’s style is distinctively his own, some couples told us his genre-bending approach to music didn’t always align with their wedding vision.
Exceptionally talented and wonderful to work with
“Jesse is insanely talented, wonderful to work with, and the only entertainment you’ll ever need for a party. His all-request show is a hit with all ages and crowds. I have hired Jesse for corporate events, concerts, and weddings and clients and guests have absolutely raved about him.”
– Alison Leontaridis, Google Reviews
Creates an amazing experience
“Jesse played at our wedding and what an amazing experience. Jessee learned our first dance song, as well as embraced our Dinner en blanc theme. Thank you.”
– Martin Gilvert, Google Reviews
