ENTERTAINMENT
Big Beat can provide a whole variety of entertainment and music the following are just some of the acts we have available, please contact Big Beat if you can not find what you're looking for.
LATIN, CUBAN & BRAZILIAN MUSIC
CACHE Salsa Band
For the full Salsa experience, the nine-piece band shows what live music is all about. Their hot-blooded Salsa sound is produced by the searing, scintillating brass section (trumpet, trombone and saxes), three percussionists, piano bass and at the front, an extrovert Cuban lead vocalist.
However, for more intimate functions and on smaller stages, Cache can reduce to a smaller ensemble.
RAPIDO MARIACHI
4-5 piece Mariachi Band complete with Trumpet, guitars and huge Mexican Sombreros. The sound of Mariachi music is compelling and will have anyone convinced they are in Mexico.
"Wow I've never heard of Mariachi music before but what an experience" Onlooker.
THE RHYTHM MASTERS
A mobile Samba group designed to boldly go where no other Samba group has gone before.
A masterpiece of Latin and Brazilian drumming.
EN MASSE
Music & dance from Brazil, Cuba & Colombia. A dynamic 11 piece group unique to the UK, 6 Dancers, 5 drummers combine a melting pot of different Afro-Latin Folk styles that unite in a visual masterpiece of drumming, dance and voice! Beauty, Grace, Style and Energy!
LA VIDA SANTANA
Tribute to Santana, 7 piece band very high quality musicians
REGGAE & CARRIBEAN BANDS
KINGSIZE ska band
Kingsize aim to bring back to audiences that solid, rhythmic and powerful Ska sound of the old time greats (and more recent ones!) and simply entertain the pants off you.
TROPICAL HEATWAVE
A Classic Caribbean steel and Calypso band, they have the sounds the looks and an authenticity second to none.
CALICHE
Authentic Andean panpipes, from Bolivia. These very accomplished musicians are very sort after and also quite a rarity to be seen these days.
WORLD, AFRICAN AND FOLK BANDS
THE BUCKET BAND
The Music encompasses many different folk styles. The band use a blend of original material, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and English traditional tunes. Incorporated into this is Cajun and Bluegrass music, which has brought some of the music towards Jazz.
Their improvised instruments (bucket base drum, hand made double bass) used in conjunction with traditional strings and guitar is bringing them an ever increasing following around the European Festival circuit.
BARAKA Afro-beat dance band
Musicians from Ghana, Zambia, Dominica and Ireland make up Baraka's exciting mix of dance rhythms, soaring melodies and funky grooves.
Master drummer Ben Baddoo delivers a potent mix of driving rhythms and subtle vocals.
Venue magazine on their Glastonbury Festival performance - "A lot of dancing took place!"
DHOL BLASTERS
The Dhol Blasters are a group of traditional folk drummers, who were formed ten years ago. The Dhol Blasters are under the management of the world's most famous Dhol player Mr Gurcharan Mall. During these years The Dhol Blasters have achieved and created many intricate and enjoyable traditional routines.
LA STRADA
La Strada are a passionate fusion of Eastern European, Gypsy and world music. Their music is a mixture of traditional tunes and songs with new inventive arrangements as well as original material. Playing for large festival audiences or acoustically at art centres, their performances are lively and colourful and always leave the audience smiling.
CELTIC AND FOLK BANDS
HENRY MARTINS GHOST
Traditional Irish music played with a level of passion and craftsmanship few can match. Henry Marten's Ghost are purveyors of fine music be it Irish jigs, love songs or haunting Celtic ballads. Irish songs both new and old, original and traditional feature on the bands three albums.
CEILIDH BANDS
We have numerous Irish, Welsh and Scottish folk bands that provide the fantastic sounds of Ceilidh music.
Polkas, Waltzes, Jigs, Reels and songs that is traditional as they come, with or without caller.
JAZZ
NEW ORLEANS ECHOES
A traditional New Orleans marching band. Complete with the traditional 'umbrella-carrying' front man. Jazz on the move!
NORMAN THATCHERS JAZZ BAND
A 3-7 piece New Orleans Jazz band bringing you an exciting and driving sound from its wide repertoire. They regularly play at the major jazz festivals and clubs around the UK
THE PHIL DANDO BIG BAND
Wale's premier big band. They play music in full traditional big band regalia and cover all the popular styles from the 20's to modern pop tunes if required. Available as a 7-piece or a full 15-piece orchestra with full brass section. the singer even sounds like Frank Sinatra.
OTHER MUSIC
THE BAGDADDIES
This 5-piece mad cap band are one of the most sort after street acts in the UK. They defy logic with their mix of North African and Middle Eastern music. Mandolin, Sax, Trombone, Trumpet and Percussion.
This is a must have act!!
MINSRTELS GALLERY- MEDIEVAL MUSICIANS
Minstrels Gallery are a group of musicians and players specialising in music and entertainment from the Medieval and Elizabethan periods. Perform anything from gentle background music to lively dance tunes, lyrical ballads to mellifluous madrigals, creating a tapestry of sound that adds just the right atmosphere to any occasion.
They also entertain with a combination of comic verse, juggling competitions, tests of strength and all manner of courtly fun.
BACKGROUND MUSIC
SPANISH GUITARS
Solo or duo available for that perfect ambiance. Providing Spanish and/or Classical music.
THE ARDETON QUARTET
No setting would be complete without this four-piece string quartet. There is nothing like the live sound of Mozart to relax the mood, or Shubert to calm the mind. Versatility and ambience at its best.
HARP & FLUTE
Welsh harpists with flute as an option. Providing some enchanting music. Their repertoire covers classical and popular tunes.
COVER AND SOUL ACTS
THE MOJO SOUL BAND
The band was originally formed in 1993 some six months before the advent of the Commitments and the stream of tribute bands that followed. This is why the Mojos have a sound all of their own with covers of the hottest soul classics ever written.
FUNKY DORY
Funky Dory are one of the most highly respected six piece funk acts on the circuit today. The bands repertoire covers the entire spectrum and includes disco hits, chart classics and new R ‘n' B.
VEGAS
Vegas are a young exciting and talented band that have played at Weddings, Parties, and Live Music Events. They have an extensive repertoire of songs from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and current tracks.
PAPER MOON
A very fine duo comprising vocals/keyboards & saxophone. They play easy listening music and popular up beat music. They have 7 years of playing all over the world. Having worked extensively for Artists Connect they are one of our most popular duo's.
ENTERTAINERS
FAIRPLAY
Fair Play's style revels in the absurd. Their latest show the award winning ‘Come Fly With Me' is a hysterically inaccurate look at the history of flight. A physical comedy show weaves acrobatics, clown, song and dance routines, puppetry and mime into their own bizarre story.
The show is available in both a street or stage format and the ridiculous characters make an ideal walkabout to enliven any occasion.
MAGIC MATT
Magic Matt performs first class sleight of hand magic. In addition, his pickpocketing skills are almost unique: stealing watches, wallets, belts and even ties from unsuspecting helpers. Matt's broad experience gives him the skill to entertain any audience in his professional, friendly and humorous style. He is the resident magician at Manchester United games and presently performs at events throughout the UK and abroad.
Performed on the TV show "Live With Chris Moyles" where he was filmed pickpocketing the audience as they arrived before the show.
NACHDA SANSAAR - BHANGRA DANCERS
A group of Punjabi Folk Dancers who over the last 15 years have pushed this art form into the public eye. Bhangra is a fast and exhilarating dance that utilises live musical accompaniment including traditional folk songs and drumming from the Dhol.
PICASSO GRIFFITHS - CARICATURIST
Picasso is now regarded as one of Britain's top caricaturists and has been employed by some of the biggest names in the leisure and entertainment industry.
His lightning caricatures take approx. 3 1/2 minutes each. He talks with people as he draws, banter galore.
CARL JOHN-MAGICAL ENTERTAINER
If you need an all-round close up magician Carl is the one. His versatile routine can incorporate Tarot cards, palm reading and escapology.
His wallet of flames is incredible!
ICE 2 ART - ICE SCULPTOR
A unique art form, which is becoming more and more popular, a beautiful transition from block to intricate ice sculpture and amazing to watch.
LIVE STATUES
Stone comes to life! These living statues are an unbelievable sight, people imitating cold, lifeless stone. At first, they look like real statues adapted for the surroundings, but on closer inspection and maybe a touch, it becomes surprisingly obvious that they are in-fact real people.