Customer advice, help and tips, wedding entertainment ideas

10 Most Expensive Bands To Hire In 2021!

May 21 2021

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to hire your favourite band for a function or wedding? If you are thinking about booking one of the most high-profile musicians in the world, you might want to take a look at the list below to see just how much it will make a whole in your pocket…

All figures are approximate.

Justin Bieber

Cost to hire: $1million

Justin Bieber is a Grammy award-winning Canadian pop star who was first discovered via YouTube with thanks to his mum posting his singing videos on his behalf. His latest hits include “Let Me Love You,” “Despacito (Remix)” and “I’m the One.” The pop icon came to fame with his first single ‘One time’ way back in May 2009.

The world-renowned singer sits quite low on our list, nevertheless he certainly does not come cheap! Justin Biebers success throughout the years can be thanked to his catchy sing along tunes and his fun filled live performances. The singer was big in the press a few years ago when he became wed to fashion model Hayley Bieber in September 2018.

Image Credit: https://www.justinbiebermusic.com/photos

Beyonce

Cost to hire: $2million

It comes as no surprise that Beyonce sits quite high up on our list. Beyoncé Knowles is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning recording artist who’s widely acclaimed for her thrilling vocals, music videos and live performances.

Beyoncé first came into the public’s eye as the lead vocalist in the popular R&B group Destiny’s Child. After a few years with the group, she later established herself as a solo performer with her debut album ‘Dangerously in Love’. Soon after she became one of music’s top-selling artists. Selling out tours and gathering a mass of awards, as well as also being featured in several films.

The singer married hip-hop artist Jay-Z in 2008, the two becoming the world’s most famous power couple, dominating the music industry with their musical collaborations. On a final note, Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins ever by a female artist, racking up 28 awards. It’s no wonder the cost of hiring the singer is so high!

Image Credit: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/arts/music/beyonce-black-is-king.html

Maroon 5

Cost to hire: $2.5million

Having Maroon 5 at your wedding will cost you a bob or two! 2.5 million in fact. However, how cool would it be to have pop hits like ‘sugar’ and ‘moves like jagger’ performed live on stage. Maroon 5 would be the perfect band for any wedding, being able to play an array of chart-topping number 1s.

Maroon 5 came to the spotlight in 2001, releasing songs like “Songs About Jane” This album went Gold, Platinum and Triple Platinum in a number of countries across the world. Their hit single “Harder and Harder to Breathe” climbed to number six on the Billboard 200 Chart. The band have on and off been on tour since 2001 and have collaborated with artists like The Donnas, Jason Mraz, The Rolling Stones and John Mayer.

Maroon 5 is a highly sought-after band and that is reflected in their price tag! There is no disputing the cost when you consider that the band have been nominated for numerous awards, from three Grammy awards to 16 Billboard Music Awards, three People’s Choice awards and an MTV Video Music Award! Impressive.

Image Credit: https://vocalbop.com/maroon-5-concert-tour/

Nicki Minaj

Cost to hire: $500,000

Next up we have the icon that is Nicki Minaj. Born Onika Tanya Maraj, Nicki is a Trinidadian-born singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. Best known for her flowing rap style and for her empowering musical lyrics. If you have ever seen videos of Minaj’s performance’s, you will be in no doubt as to why it is so expensive to book her. She would know exactly how to get any corporate or festival event started.

Minaj has been on the music scene for a number of years, in 2012 she released her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which featured a number of successful pop songs such as ‘Starships’ and ‘pound the alarm’. Another one of her hit albums ‘Queen’ which came out in 2018, featured collaborations with huge performers such as Eminem and The Weeknd.

As well as her musical career Minaj has also occasionally acted. Her movie appearances include the likes of The Other Woman and Barbershop: The Next Cut.

Image Credit: https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-performs-fefe-2018-mtv-video-music-awards/

Cardi B

Cost to hire: $300,000 – $500,000

Born Belcalis Almanzar, but known professionally as Cardi B, the singer is an American rapper whose hometown is New York City. Cardi was born and raised in The Bronx, first attracting attention for discussing her career in the adult entertainment industry on social media. She soon became an Internet sensation through the platform Instagram. Her uncensored, no filter attitude is what attracts people to her music.

In November 2015, Cardi entered the music scene on a Shaggy remix- ‘Boom Boom’ gaining her immense popularity in the industry. In June 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi’s hit debut single “Bodak Yellow”, the singer has since gained immense popularity in the industry, winning numerous awards with hit after chart-topping hit. The singer may come with a huge price tag. However, a Cardi B performance is something not to be missed!

Image Credit: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a34755515/cardi-b-amas/

Drake

Cost to hire: $500,000 – $1million

It is no surprise that musician Drake comes with such a price tag. Drake is huge right now!

TV and rap star, Drake is best known in Canada for playing wheelchair-bound ‘Jimmy Brooks’ on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’. As well as being big in the television industry, Drake has dominated the music scene with hit songs like “Take Care,” “One Dance” and “Hotline Bling.”

Just as noted above, Drake first came to prominence in the teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation in the role of Jimmy Brooks. However, after leaving the show he soon became one of the biggest rappers in the world after signing a deal with Lil Wayne’s prestigious label ‘Young Money Entertainment.

Drake is rarely out of the news headlines, whether it’s for dating Rihanna or founding his own label ‘OVO Sound’. It’s no surprise the rapper comes with a hefty price tag.

Image Credit: https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/drake-certified-lover-boy-collection-chrome-hearts-sneak-peek

Billie Eilish

Cost to hire: $1.5million

Now our next artist is quite literally the queen of the music industry right now. A true icon!

American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish became one of the biggest pop stars on the planet thanks to her distinctive and unique musical and fashion style. Billie has gifted us with songs like “Ocean Eyes,” “Bad Guy” and “Therefore I Am.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Billie Eilish was just a teenager when her song “Ocean Eyes” became a worldwide viral hit. Billie has worked with her brother Finneas for years now, creating tracks for her ep ‘Don’t Smile at Me’ and the album ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ The artist in just a few years has become a global sensation as well as a multi-time Grammy award winner all before the age of 20.

Billie is noted for her unique style just as much as her music. She became known for wearing oversized clothing. The singer soon established her own niche in the fashion world by signing with Next Models in 2018. The fashion icon has been in the press recently for her showstopping Vogue cover feature with the focus of the campaign titled “It’s All About What Makes You Feel Good”.

Image Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/10/body-of-work-why-billie-eilish-is-right-to-stand-her-ground-against-shaming

Taylor Swift

Cost to hire: $1million

Booking Taylor Swift for a birthday party will cost you no less than $1million! Taylor Swift rose to fame in 2006 at just 16 years old. Although originally known for her country music, she took a turn into pop and has since never looked back.

She is arguably one of the most famous and successful artists in the world and is reportedly worth $365million. It is easy to see why she charges $1million pounds per performance! She has both written and recorded numerous albums that have made number one.

If you do have a spare million dollars lying around and would like to book Taylor Swift to come and perform at your event, you can expect to hear a selection of her hit number ones, including ‘Shake it Off, ‘Love Story’, ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ just to name a few.

Image Credit: https://variety.com/2020/music/features/taylor-swift-politics-sundance-documentary-miss-americana-1203471910/

Travis Scott

Cost to hire: $1 – 1.5million

Travis Scott, born Jacques Berman Webster II is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer. His third and most popular album ‘Astroworld’ allowed him to gain his place as one of the top global artists with his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single Sicko Mode. The singer performed his hit single at the 2019 Super-bowl halftime show, only adding to Scott’s worldwide popularity. Travis is known for his unique personal style, mixing streetwear and high fashion, he soon became an icon in the streetwear scene.

In November 2018, it was announced that Travis would be the face of luxury fashion brand Saint Laurent for the Spring/Summer collection in 2019. Scott was hot in the press for several months when it was announced he was due to have a baby with ‘Keeping up with the Kardashian’ star and Instagram icon Kylie Jenner in February 2018. So, it is no surprise that Travis Scott’s cost to hire is quite high. This guy is one successful musician!

Image Credit: https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/travis-scott

Rihanna

Cost to hire: $8million

Rihanna is one of the most expensive acts to hire on our list. Hiring Rihanna to come and perform at your private event will cost anything from $8million dollars upwards!

She first burst onto the music scene in the summer of 2005 with her catchy hit single ‘Pon de Replay’ with the artist steadily releasing hit after hit since. Although she has stayed in the limelight for mostly the right reasons, she has hit the headlines in the past for negative reasons, most notably being her relationship with abusive ex Chris Brown.

She has a super strong following of fans behind her, and it is really no surprise that performances by her do not come cheap!