Singer: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What singer is

A singer performs live vocals at events, restaurants and ceremonies, with a backing track or accompaniment, in the styles you choose. People book a singer when they want a voice that carries the mood of a room, from a quiet dinner to a celebration.

Signs you need it

  • You want live vocals for a dinner, a reception or a party
  • You want a particular style of song, such as jazz standards, pop or a genre tied to your event
  • You want a performer who can sing a song for a special moment, such as a toast or a family dedication
  • The venue is small enough that a vocalist with a simple setup will work well
  • You want music that guests can hear and talk over at the same time
  • You want a singer for a ceremony or a cocktail hour without a full band

What the pro does

  • Asks about the setting, the moments that need music and the songs you want
  • Builds a repertoire that fits the event and the room
  • Arrives with a microphone, a stand and any backing track or accompaniment needed
  • Performs at the times you agreed, and keeps the volume in line with the room
  • Takes requests when they fit the repertoire and the moment
  • Packs up equipment and clears the space at the end of the event

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the performance and the number of sets
  • Whether the singer performs with a backing track or live accompaniment
  • Whether the singer needs a sound system, a microphone and a stand from the venue
  • Whether you supply a microphone and speaker or the singer brings sound equipment
  • Special songs or arrangements the singer must learn for your event
  • Whether the singer performs a ceremony, a reception or a combined set
  • Whether you want a duet or a second vocalist

What a written quote should spell out

  • Start and end time, and the number of sets
  • Repertoire style and the songs the singer will cover for each moment
  • Whether the singer brings a microphone, backing track or accompaniment
  • Sound equipment the venue must provide, such as a speaker or power
  • Setup and teardown times
  • How requests are handled and what happens if the singer cannot attend

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you bring a microphone and backing track, or do you need the venue to provide sound?
  • What songs can you sing from memory, and which ones do you need sheet music or a track for?
  • Can I hear a recording of you singing live at an event?
  • How do you handle a request for a song you do not know?
  • How long do your sets run, and when do you take breaks?
  • Can you suggest a substitute singer from your network, and would I approve them first?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers your equipment and performance?

Red flags

  • They cannot tell you what songs they sing or what style they cover
  • They only share studio recordings and none from live events
  • They ask for payment only in a form that avoids a written booking
  • They say they can sing any song with no time to learn it
  • They will not confirm the equipment they bring or what the venue must supply

What you can do yourself

You can make a list of songs you want, a list of songs to avoid and the moments you want covered. You can also check the venue for a microphone, power and a corner where the singer can stand. Hire a singer for the voice, the mic work and the flow of the set, since singing at a steady volume while guests talk needs experience.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for a singer, so ask for proof of liability insurance and references from similar events instead. Venues often handle public performance licensing for recorded music, including backing tracks, so ask who covers it and check local noise rules with your state or local licensing agency.

Singer questions

Does a singer need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask for insurance and references, and ask the venue about music licensing for backing tracks and noise limits.

Can a singer use a backing track?

Yes, many do. Ask whether the track is included in the price and whether the venue has the speaker needed to play it at the right level.

How do I pick songs for the singer?

Send a short list of songs you love, a list of songs to avoid and the mood you want for each part of the event. The singer can suggest songs that fit their voice.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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