5 Best Party Bands in Calgary That Crush It Each and Every Time
Imagine splurging on decorations, food, and venue, only for the music to fall flat. Yep, this has been known to happen—I’ve been to too many shindigs where a subpar band totally destroyed the vibe.
That’s why when my friend asked me for help planning her birthday bash, I knew the band had to be next-level.
After a whole lot of asking around and stalking social media, I put together this go-to guide to the best party bands in Calgary. These guys are trusted, tested, and highly recommended by locals who love to have a good time!
How much does it cost to hire a party band in Calgary?
Hiring a party band in Calgary typically costs between $1000 and $5000, depending on the band’s popularity, size, and length of performance.
Smaller local bands or solo performers may charge less, while well-known groups with full setups can be on the higher end. Rates usually include setup, sound equipment, and travel within the city.
1. Siren’s Gate Entertainment
Address: 1908 – 9A Ave N.E.
Phone: (403) 605-7366
Business hours:
- Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Siren’s Gate Band is a local group made up of seasoned musicians and performers who know how to light up a room. They were even finalists for “Wedding Band of the Year” by the Alberta Wedding Awards, so you know your party’s in good hands.
In addition to weddings, they can deliver a high-energy show in a wide range of settings—corporate events, private parties, Stampede functions, you name it. In fact, past clients rave about their epic performances that had guests dancing all night!
You don’t have to listen to a limited setlist, either. They cover everything from classic rock, country, and Motown to disco, blues, and funk.
Just a heads up: they’re very popular, and weekend dates book up fast—sometimes a year in advance, so plan ahead!
The energy in the room was unreal
“Absolutely electric performance! Siren’s Gate played at our high school leadership conference and blew everyone away! Their sound was incredible—tight, powerful, and true to that classic ’80s rock vibe. The students absolutely rocked out from the first chord to the last, singing along and dancing like they were born in the wrong decade. The energy in the room was unreal. By the end of the night, the students were chanting “One more song!”—you could feel how much everyone loved it. My only regret? I wish I had advertised it more clearly as an ’80s rock band and sent out the playlist ahead of time. The kids still had a blast, but knowing the lyrics would’ve taken it to the next level. If you’re looking for a band that brings big energy, top-tier talent, and an unforgettable time, Siren’s Gate is it. Rock on! 🎸🔥”
— Cheryl Davidson, Google Review
We were singing & dancing all night long
“Amazing band! So much fun, we were singing and dancing all night long. They have an awesome mix of music from all eras. The band has great energy and vibe!!”
— Maria D, Google Review
2. The Two Bit Bandits
Address: 12243 Canfield Rd SW
Phone: (403) 804-7168
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
For over 15 years, The Two Bit Bandits has gotten guests up and dancing during weddings, private parties, corporate events, and more.
You can choose from an intimate acoustic duo to a full 8-piece band, depending on your party’s size and theme. Then, customize a package tailored to your event.
Musically, we like that they’re very versatile. From Top 40s to country, classic rock, and 90s R&B, they can craft their setlist around your preferences.
And if you need more than just live music? Their full-service event packages can also include live music and DJ combos, plus AV and tech support.
As a band that earned the Alberta Wedding Awards’ “Best Wedding Entertainment” title, their schedule fills up really quickly. You’ll need to pencil them in well in advance.
The dance floor was packed the ENTIRE night
“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 Review
They were true professionals from start to finish
“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 seamlessly 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 Review
3. One Nite Band
Address: 34 Street Southwest
Phone: (403) 390-8246
Business hours:
- Mon – Sun: 8 AM – 12 AM
One Nite Band’s mission is to keep the party music high-quality via a balance of professionalism and personality.
You’ll start with a free consultation, which you can do via video conference, phone, or in person. They’ll learn your event details, preferred music styles, and overall vision, then put together a comprehensive proposal.
Next, you’d get to customize the band. From solo piano or acoustic duos to full 7-piece groups, they offer a variety of arrangements for your ceremony, cocktail hour, engagement party, or reception.
What’s cool is that they can even work with your party or wedding planner and help you map out a production schedule.
One small heads up—their pricing can be a bit on the higher side, but many say the experience is well worth it.
Attendees had a blast dancing to 80s hits!
“One Nite Band is incredible! A top-notch group of very talented musicians. We hired them for our 80s event, and the band put together a special set list and learned 80s songs for our event! Rob was a true pleasure to work with from start to finish. The booking and planning process was smooth and easy. Our event attendees had a blast dancing to 80s hits! Would absolutely book again! Thank you again for a memorable evening.”
— Kylene Donaldson, Google Review
I spent so much time on the dance floor!
“I’ve never been to a function where I spent so much time on the dance floor! Amazing song list!”
— Cindy Swerdelian, Google Review
4. Side One Entertainment
Address: 50 Citadel Acres Close NW
Phone: (604) 809-3746
Business hours:
- Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Side One Entertainment started as a 6-piece band in Vancouver and has since grown into one of the most dynamic entertainment groups in North America. To date, they’ve played in over 2500 events across the country!
Their musical range is impressive, covering everything from timeless crooners to fun, modern chart-toppers.
You can choose which setup you require—from intimate jazz trios to high-energy 12- to 16-piece dance bands. Their most popular option? A 10-piece band that delivers both a killer setlist and style.
Standard bookings include 3 hours of music over a 4-hour call time, typically played in two extended sets for maximum impact. But you have the option to extend, which is pretty cool.
Note that their fees can be a tad pricey, especially for larger band configurations.
Best band they have ever seen at a wedding
“Highly recommend this band. They played at our September 1st wedding. They were kind and on time and played amazing songs! Everyone who 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 Review
Side One SLAPPED SO HARD
“We had Side One play at our wedding in Calgary because we had two families that were slightly smaller and less dance-y, and we were worried that people wouldn’t have fun with a DJ. Side One SLAPPED SO HARD they had my 86-year-old grandfather dancing for 2 hours! We had a blast – the talent was truly top notch, and it made for a pretty magical night. Seriously, I cannot recommend them enough – they were worth every penny and more.”
— Mike Duvall, Google Review
5. Barry Shaw Entertainment
Address: 236 Chaparral Drive SE
Phone: (403) 861-5958
Business hours:
- Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Barry Shaw Entertainment’s goal is to be the number one party band in the region. And with a client list featuring brands like BMW, Fairmont Hotels, Telus, and the RCMP Foundation, they clearly know what they’re doing.
Every booking includes tailored music selections, sound, accent lighting, and a full stage setup (horn stands, cables, instruments, etc.). They even have various wardrobe options for performers.
As for band size, they’ll adjust to fit your space and budget. Add-ons like featured and background vocalists, dance demos, and enhanced sound and lighting are available, too, if you’re looking to upgrade the basic package.
You could also ask for their list of preferred vendors if you need help with your party planning.
Of course, their premium services come with a premium price tag, so expect to splurge for their expertise.
BEST TIME moving and grooving to this band
“Had the BEST TIME moving and grooving to this band at our daughter’s wedding reception! Something for EVERYONE! Highly recommended!”
— Jan Deyne, Google Review
Everyone, young and old, was up dancing
“Terrific band! They played at a wedding we attended on the weekend. Everyone, young and old, was up dancing and had a great time. Nice mix of new and classic songs.”
— Cassandra Fennell, Google Review