The perfect option for intimate spaces and smaller guest lists, this group delivers the full Side One repertoire in an unplugged style.
2,500+ Events
Best Wedding/Event Entertainment
Perfect 5.0 Google Rating
Whether you’re working with space or noise restrictions or simply love the intimate energy of acoustic performances, our ‘unplugged’ bands deliver.
From laid-back cocktail vibes to lively, percussive sets that keep the dance floor moving, our acoustic ensembles bring the perfect balance of energy and elegance to any event.
Musicians: Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion
Perfect for intimate spaces and smaller guest lists, this group delivers the full Side One repertoire in an unplugged style.
Guests love hearing everything from Queen to Nicki Minaj in this stripped-down setting.
Musicians: Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Percussion
With the addition of bass, this lineup brings a fuller, more dynamic sound to the unplugged experience.
Musicians: Guitar or Piano
Elegant and understated, a solo musician on guitar or piano sets the perfect tone for cocktail hours or intimate gatherings.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano + Horn or Guitar/Piano + Bass
Adds depth to the soloist with bass or horn, creating an inviting atmosphere for mingling and light conversation.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano, Drums, Bass or Guitar/Piano, Horn, Bass
Classic and timeless, this trio brings the energy of live jazz with a compact setup that fits any space.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano, Drums, Bass, Horn
With the addition of a horn, the jazz quartet brings a sophisticated sound that elevates your event’s ambiance.
Musicians: Singing Guitarist or Singing Pianist
A singer with their guitar performing a mix of contemporary songs everyone knows and loves. The right mix of upbeat but background appropriate allowing guests to converse and mingle
Musicians: Guitar + Vocal
A vocalist and guitarist for a bit more presence, performing either contemporary favourites or more of a jazz vibe – or a bit of both.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano + Vocal
Smooth vocals paired with guitar or piano create a cozy and intimate mood for cocktails or dinner.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano, Vocal, Upright Bass
Adds upright bass for a warm and grounded sound that brings jazz standards to life.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano, Vocal, Upright Bass, Sax/Drums
Brings in a drummer or saxophonist for an added melodic layer to the trio’s classic sound.
Musicians: Guitar/Piano, Vocal, Upright Bass, Sax, Drums
A full jazz ensemble, this configuration delivers a rich and immersive sound, perfect for formal events and lively receptions.
Our phenomenal musicians create iconic moments that set your event apart, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.
BASED IN VANCOUVER, CALGARY, TORONTO AND SEATTLE—AND READY TO ROCK ANY DESTINATION
We started in Vancouver, but demand quickly grew beyond our hometown. Soon, we built Side One bands in Calgary, Toronto, and Seattle—each filled with top-tier musicians trained to deliver the same unforgettable experience.
With bands based in four amazing cities, Side One can bring world-class live music anywhere in the world (we travel well!).
Wherever your event is, we’re ready to take the stage.
Highly recommend this band, we had the acoustic trio during cocktail hour and then 6 piece band for the evening, both were awesome! had everyone dancing all night and everyone was commenting on how amazing the band was. As a musician myself from a technical view these guys were seriously on point! They catered the music just right all night while sticking to our style preferences, amazed how well they cover such a wide range of music. They also let me play a couple songs with them which was great fun! Look no further book these guys!
R.W.
Set the tone for your big day with expertly curated live music, from transcendent ceremony arrangements to a barn-burning dance floor experience.
Imagine a work party where everyone stays until the very end. You can make it happen with dynamic entertainment that keeps the room energized.
Make your Gala the season’s event that no one wants to miss! With outstanding music and vibrant performances, you will captivate donors throughout the night and keep them coming back year after year.
Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones with an intimate performance that shapes cherished memories for you and your loved ones.
We strive to provide the perfect live entertainment package for your event. Since your event is unique, our service package will be customized to suit your needs, and our pricing will reflect that.
Reach out to our team for a custom quote. But first, please consider the following points:
Side One provides two crucial components of any event: music and audio visual production (sound gear and technicians, also called A/V).
In terms of music, you should ask yourself if your goal is to get people dancing, to provide background atmosphere during mingling, or both.
If you want dancing, we have several dance band sizes to suit any party. The bigger the band, the more musicians, the higher the cost. If you’re unclear on how big a band you need, we’ve written a great little piece HERE to help you make the call.
Suppose you know there will be dancing, but you want to add some background music as well for another part of the event. In that case, you might start with our standard dance band service and then “add on” smaller, more mellow configurations for different parts of the event (solo guitar/vocalist for cocktails, jazz quartet for dinner, etc.). Think of these as appetizers to your main course.
Perhaps you ONLY want an appetizer. This is, of course, no problem, although we then price the service a la carte rather than as an add-on to a dance band booking.
When it comes to A/V, some venues supply production (mics, speakers, technicians, etc.) but MOST do not — or at least not at the level required to accommodate a full band. Side One is a full-service AV provider. This means it is no problem for us to bring everything that we need and provide all the things YOU might need, such as lighting, speech mics, an MC, iPods for background music, a projector and screen, and more.
Side One has bands in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Seattle. We’re kind of like a Whole Foods or Starbucks; you get the same quality product and service everywhere, but each location is unique in its own way.
Each city has what we call “Travel Tiers.” Suppose the distance from one of our cities to your venue exceeds our local-tier threshold. In that case, there may be additional costs required, such as mileage, accommodation, ferries, work visas, and flights. We will include all of this in our initial quote, so there are no surprises. However, we’ve found that many clients prefer to book our accommodations themselves, maximizing any potential discounts from block-booking for their vendors and guests. Please let us know if this is the case so we may factor it into your quote!
Also, within the venue, we need to know where everything is happening. For example, if your dinner speeches are in the same room as the dance band, no additional setup is required. However, if dancing and dinner take place in two separate areas, we’ll need a second sound system, which will be an additional cost.
If providing production for your event, we’ll need to know how big a system to bring. This is determined by guest count, room size, and layout. Our typical sound systems are suitable for up to 250 people, though we can certainly handle more. With the right info, we will ensure every person in the room can hear every word – whether your headcount is 5 or 5000.
A dance band booking gives you 3 hours of music within a 4-hour window, but you can add time and services as needed. Check out our FAQ for more on getting the most out of your dance floor.
It’s also helpful to think backwards, timing-wise. Ask your venue when vendors need to be clear, as that will inform when the party must end (booo!) and your optimal itinerary.
Our other services vary in length; you can find more information here. Just remember, these are default lengths. Our team can help you weigh time against cost and build the perfect package for your event.
Click “Book Side One” and tell us about your event!
We’re looking for the event date, guest count, venue, and what you’re celebrating. We’ll take it from there to begin crafting your experience.
Complete our simple questionnaire to share preferences, timelines, and must-have moments. We’ll finalize your details, including song requests and logistical considerations.
Our in-house production team works directly with your venue and planner to handle sound, lighting, and technical needs, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
From the first note to the final tune, our AMAZING musicians deliver a performance that adapts to your crowd, keeping the energy high and your guests in awe.
The music fades, but the memories last forever. Your event hit all the right notes, leaving a lasting impression on you and your guests.
You deserve nothing less than world-class music, unforgettable energy, and flawless execution.
With Side One, you’ll create memories your guests will talk about for years—and a night they’ll never forget.
Don’t wait to secure the live entertainment for your big day, corporate event, gala, or private celebration.
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