Band or dance act for weddings and events

Book your music, dance or theatre act for weddings, corporate events and local festivals.

Dancers performing on a theatre stage under warm spotlights.
Startup costA$1.5k to A$8k
Monthly revenueA$1k to A$5k
Time needed6+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A small group, such as a band, dance troupe or roving performers, that offers a polished set for private and corporate events and local festivals.

Your first three steps

  1. Put together a 45 to 60 minute set and film a short demo video for a simple website
  2. List your act with local event planners, wedding venues and online entertainment booking sites
  3. Set up an ABN, get public liability insurance and write a simple booking agreement with a deposit
Who pays

Couples, event planners, venues, businesses, councils and festival organisers.

How it makes money

A fee per booking, with higher prices for weddings and corporate events. Extras can include extra sets, custom songs or themed costumes.

Skills that help
  • Strong performance skills
  • Promoting yourself and following up enquiries
  • Reliable timekeeping and setup
  • Handling bookings and contracts
Watch out for
  • Public liability insurance, which many venues ask to see
  • Check who holds the music licences (often the venue) and whether APRA AMCOS rules apply to your performances
  • Gear is costly to carry and replace, so consider equipment insurance
  • Bookings cluster on weekends and in peak seasons, so plan for quiet periods
  • Check council noise rules and venue curfews for outdoor events

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: band or dance act for weddings and events

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a band or dance act for events?

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your gear, costumes, promotion and insurance. Treat this as an estimate, and consider equipment insurance because gear is costly to carry and replace.

How much can an events act earn in Australia?

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many bookings you win and how much you charge. Bookings cluster on weekends and in peak seasons, so plan for quieter periods.

What should I check before performing at weddings and events?

Check public liability insurance, which many venues ask to see. Also check who holds the music licences, often the venue, and whether APRA AMCOS rules apply to your performances, plus council noise rules and venue curfews for outdoor events.

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Photo: sasint on Pixabay

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