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Papa Groove

A Professional Funk, Soul & Disco Functions Band

Audio Clips

9 To 5

Gimme Some Lovin'

Son Of A Preacher Man

Papa Groove are a top live funk, soul & pop band, playing the ultimate in upbeat party tunes. The band is made up of up to 10 of the finest professional musicians in the UK, all with successful careers in the music industry. The solid rhythm and tight brass section back the awesome vocals, putting together the funkiest and most energetic show on the current live band circuit.

Aiming to bring you the best live music experience available, Papa Groove has built up a definitive repertoire of funk, soul and pop classics, featuring everything from Aretha Franklin to Basement Jaxx. Every tune is guaranteed to get the blood pumping and the dance floor moving.

Top live funk, soul & pop band. Up to 10 of the finest professional musicians in the UK. The funkiest and most energetic show on the current live band circuit. Every song is tried and tested to produce a set list that is guaranteed to create a high energy, party atmosphere. Papa Groove can cater for any event, anywhere in the world! 


The band regularly perform at Weddings, Corporate Events, Music Festivals and Private Functions across the UK and Internationally, with previous clients including; The Westin Dubai, The Sheraton Towers Abu Dhabi, Grande Real Villa Portugal, Celtic Manor Resort, Guoman Hotel Management, Hilton Hotels, The Thistle Hotel Network, GE Capital Bank, Bourne Leisure Group, The RAF, The Army, Exeter University, Guilfest and Glastonbury Festival. 
Having played in countries as far and wide as Dubai, Portugal, France, Spain, Ireland Papa Groove can cater for any event, anywhere in the world.

Papa Groove are a band of highly talented musicians who have performed with artists as diverse as Joss Stone, Beverley Knight, Kasabian, Skunk Anansie, Sandi Thom & Pato Banton and have supported bands including Boney M, The Temptations, The Bay City Rollers, The Real Thing, Elton John, Alvin Stardust and Mungo Jerry, Chumba Wumba The Selector, Bad Manners, Muse, Chesney Hawks & The Noisettes. Our members have also had tracks featured on the hit US TV show, Flash Forward.

Other artists our musicians have worked alongside include those from Feeder, Little Angels and Wishbone Ash, recording with those from The Wailers, The Rumble Strips, Chesney Hawkes, Darius and Ronan Keating.

Playing gigs at venues from The Celtic Manor Resort, Wales to The Colston Hall, Bristol and many top London venues including The Borderline, The Garage, The Mean Fiddler and Jazz Cafe has meant the band are well versed at performing to sell out crowds on large stages.

Line Up Options:
: 5 piece band: 1x female vox, bass, keys, drums, guitar
: 6 piece band: 2x female vox, bass, keys, drums, guitar

: 7 piece band: inc brass (1) or male vox or perc
: 8 piece band: inc brass (1 or 2) &/or male vox or perc
: 9 piece band: inc brass (2 or 3) &/or male vox or perc
: 10 piece band: inc brass (2 or 3) &/or male vox or perc

Standard PA (inclusive)
RCF 2kW System - 1x 800w sub, 2x 400w full range speakers. In-ear monitoring & wedges for band.

Standard Lighting (inclusive)
2x multi-coloured lighting banks for stage,
T-bar mounted revolvers (x2) for dance floor

Band Equipment
: Drums Pearl Masters 5 piece kit
: Bass Fender bass & Trace Elliot amp (inc. direct output on xlr)
: Guitar Fender Strat & Fender Twin amp

: Keys Nord Stage electric piano

: Vox 2x Shure beta 87 wireless mics

: Brass Tenor sax, alto sax & trumpet
Shortlist

Price Guide

For an approximate quote, please enter your postcode:

Venue Postcode

Song List

  • 2010s -
  • Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke
  • Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepson
  • Domino - Jessie J
  • Firework - Katy Perry
  • Get Lucky - Daft Punk
  • I Need A Dollar - Aloe Blacc
  • It's My Party - Jessie J
  • Little Lion Man - Mumford And Sons
  • Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars
  • Love On Top - Beyonc
  • Mirrors - Justin Timberlake
  • Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 Feat. Christina Aguilera
  • No Diggity - Oli Brown
  • Pencil Full Of Lead- Paolo Nutini
  • Rolling In The Deep - Adele
  • Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
  • Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake
  • We Found Love Rihanna
  • 2000s -
  • Ain't No Other Man -christina Aguilera
  • Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet
  • Candy Man - Christina Aguilera
  • Crazy In Love - Beyonc
  • Dj Vu - Beyonc
  • Do Your Thing - Basement Jaxx
  • Filthy/gorgeous - Scissor Sisters
  • Independent Women Part I - Destiny's Child
  • Love Machine - Girls Aloud
  • Mercy - Duffy
  • Mr Brightside - The Killers
  • Red Alert - Basement Jaxx
  • Rehab - Amy Winehouse
  • Snorita - Justin Timberlake
  • Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
  • Single Ladies (put A Ring On It) - Beyonc
  • Take Your Mama - Scissor Sisters
  • Toxic - Britney Spears
  • Valerie - Zutons/ronson/winehouse
  • You've Got The Love - Florence And The Machine
  • 1990s -
  • 90's Dance Medley! - Various Artists
  • Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
  • Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
  • Don't Wanna Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
  • Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-lite
  • Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
  • Love Foolosophy - Jamiroquai
  • Mama Told Me Not To Come - Tom Jones
  • Rocks - Primal Scream
  • Summer Of '69 - Bryan Adams
  • Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
  • 1980s -
  • 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
  • Ain't Nobody - Chaka Khan
  • All Night Long - Lionel Richie
  • Beat It - Michael Jackson
  • Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
  • Do I Do - Stevie Wonder
  • Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
  • Don't Stop Believing - Journey
  • Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
  • Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
  • Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - The Blues Brothers
  • I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
  • I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
  • I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
  • Jump - Van Halen
  • Kiss - Prince
  • Love Shack - The B52's
  • Monkey Man - The Specials
  • P.y.t. - Michael Jackson
  • Shake A Tail Feather - Blues Brothers/ray Charles
  • Shake Your Body (down To The Ground) - Michael Jackson
  • Simply The Best - Tina Turner
  • Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
  • Somebody Else's Guy - Jocelyn Brown
  • Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
  • Workin' Day And Night - Michael Jackson
  • You Shook Me All Night Long - Ac/dc
  • 1970s -
  • Ain't No Stopping Us Now - Mcfadden & Whitehead
  • All Right Now - Free
  • Best Of My Love - The Emotions
  • Blame It On The Boogie - Jackson 5
  • Car Wash - Rose Royce
  • Celebration - Kool & The Gang
  • Dancing Queen - Abba
  • Disco Inferno - The Trammps
  • Get Up Offa That Thing - James Brown
  • Give It Up - K.c. & The Sunshine Band
  • Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
  • Good Times - Chic
  • He's The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge
  • Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder
  • I Got You (i Feel Good) - James Brown
  • I Want You Back - Jackson 5
  • I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  • I Wish - Stevie Wonder
  • Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang
  • Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
  • Lady Marmalade - Patti Labelle
  • Le Freak - Chic
  • Long Train Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers
  • Mamma Mia - Abba
  • Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
  • My Sharona - The Knack
  • Place Your Hands - Reef
  • Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
  • September - Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Sex Machine (get Up I Feel Like Being A) - James Brown
  • Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
  • Staying Alive - Bee Gees
  • Streetlife - Randy Crawford
  • Superstition - Stevie Wonder
  • Take A Chance - Abba
  • Thank You For The Music - Abba
  • Thinking Of You - Sister Sledge
  • Upside Down - Diana Ross
  • War - Edwin Starr
  • Waterloo - Abba
  • We Are Family - Sister Sledge
  • You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
  • You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White
  • Young Hearts Run Free - Candi Statton
  • 1960s -
  • (your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
  • Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
  • Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
  • Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
  • Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin
  • Dancing In The Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
  • For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
  • Get Ready - The Temptations
  • Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group
  • Hard To Handle - Patti Drew
  • Honky Tonk Woman - The Rolling Stones
  • I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  • I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
  • In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
  • It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones
  • Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
  • Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
  • Land Of 1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
  • Let's Stay Together - Al Green
  • Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
  • Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips
  • Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
  • Proud Mary - Tina Turner
  • Respect - Aretha Franklin
  • Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
  • Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder
  • Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
  • Soul Man - Sam & Dave
  • Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  • Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
  • Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart - Dusty Springfield
  • The House That Jack Built - Aretha Franklin
  • Think - Aretha Franklin
  • Tutti Frutti - Little Richard
  • Uptight (everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder
  • And Many More!

Previous Clients

  • @bristol
  • Bath Spa University
  • Bae Systems
  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • Bourne Leisure Group
  • Bt Convention Centre
  • Butlins (bourne Leisure Group)
  • British Heart Foundation
  • Celtic Manor Resort
  • Chateau Mauconseil (france)
  • Country House Weddings
  • East Thames Group
  • Ettington Park
  • Exeter University
  • Fontwell Racecourse
  • Ge Money
  • Grande Real Villa Itlia (portugal)
  • Guoman Hotel Management
  • Hallswell House
  • Hilton Hotels
  • Hull Football Club
  • Kings College Cambridge
  • Kings School Gloucester
  • Langtons Hotel (ireland)
  • Marriot Hotels
  • Manchester University
  • Nhs
  • Portsmouth Football Club
  • Raf Brize Norton
  • Ricoh Arena
  • Ripley Castle
  • Rond Point, Meribel (french Alps)
  • Sandhurst Royal Military Academy
  • Scisys Plc
  • Scotty's Bar, La Plagne (french Alps)
  • Sheraton Hotel And Towers (abu Dhabi)
  • St Audries Park
  • Stratford Circus (london)
  • Strutt And Parker
  • The Bath Priory
  • The Dorchester, London
  • The Hurlingham Club (london)
  • The Orchardleigh Estate
  • The Public (west Bromwich)
  • The Royal Albert Hall
  • The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
  • This Morning (itv)
  • Thistle Hotels
  • Whittlebury Hall
  • Wincanton Racecourse
  • Womens Aid
  • Woodbury Park Golf Club
  • And Many More!

Testimonials

"The description function band really should be banned from use on acts publicity. It certainly does groups like Papa Groove no favours, conjuring up images of staid, elderly musicians wearing bow ties and drab formal attire. But, this bands six-strong line-up here performed as good a showcase set Ive seen for a long time from a so-called function outfit. The two lead female vocalists are top drawer, the musicians edgy and the spin they manage to put on really old numbers, like Proud Mary, is a lesson for other bands on the circui...This was an interesting, mixed bag of a session, but featuring a few acts that would have probably much preferred an evening billing. Beforehand, you wouldnt have predicted getting too excited by a function band, but Papa Groove were on top form."
- Derek Smith, Review in The Stage, 25th November 2013

May I first thank you very much for Papa Groove professionalism, flexibility and team spirit in making what has been deemed the most successful Sales Meeting and Gala Awards Night to date! I have had today the opportunity of speaking with my client, Lisa, and she is completely blown-away on what we all produced for her training weekend and Awards Night. Lisa has had non-stop praise from her Vendors, her fellow Directors and her Sales Teams North and South since going into her office today! She said that this is in no small part down to what we all provided and thanked me for making her look great on the night. This is as a direct result of your bands collective professionalism, attention, energy and detail to the Awards running order and your part in that. Your Party Set kept the dance floor buzzing all night which made this such a successful event to the end! I have had the pleasure of producing the Micro-P conference and awards nights for the last 15 years, and year on year the pressure is still to deliver The Best Ever you have not failed me again this year! May I again thank you and your band once more and look forward to working with you again on the 2014 exertis MICRO-P training weekend.
- Alistair Haig, MD at TSC Events, Whittlebury Hall, 17th October 2013

"Please once again thank the band for me. They were absolutely amazing. i looked around and there was not one person sitting down and there were men dancing who i didn't even think knew how to move!!! I had so many comments from my guests about how brilliant they were. There were a few members of the band that had changed since the first time we had seen them 4 years ago so wasn't sure if they were going to be as good... well i was wrong... the chemistry between them blew the roof off!"
- Amy Sharrard, Bride, Bognor Regis, 3rd August 2013

"The band were truly incredible last night - please pass our thanks onto them all. People told us that it was the best band they had ever heard, and the atmosphere on the dance floor was incredible. Cannot thank you enough!!!"
- Annie Stewart, Bride, Salisbury, 27th July 2013

"Our huge thanks go to everyone in Papa Groove for two great concerts last weekend. All of us at the 2013 Babbacombe Festival Marquee were delighted to have you play at our incredible retro funk night on the Saturday and again at the Hanbury's Music Day on the Sunday. Both events were a wonderful success and the Festival Marquee came alive whenever you played. We not only appreciate the great music but also the ease of communication and planning prior to the event. Your professionalism made our job so much easier."
- Event Organiser, Babbacombe Festival 2013, Torquay, 22nd & 23rd June 2013

"Papa Groove truly exceeded our expectations. We were very pleased with the quality of the band and they certainly got everyone up and dancing all night, which was very important to us. They were definitely the right band for our wedding."
- Neil & Rebecca, Newly Weds, South Milton, 25th May 2013

I just wanted to thank you so much for such a great night of music the band gave us at Suzi and Liam's wedding on 18th may. I think everyone had a fabulous time and judging by how the dance floor was always full of people, was certainly down to the great music. Please thank all those in the band in helping to make Suzi and Liam's day so memorable.
- Sarah Watson, Mother of the bride, Cornwall, 18th May 2013

"Hi Steve,
I just want to say thank you for playing our wedding. It was absolutely amazing. Everyone was up dancing from the first song & didn't sit down throughout. You guys truly made our evening reception & everyone has been saying you're the best wedding band they have ever seen.
We were really late finishing the afternoon reception but you were all so chilled about it. I think the band enjoyed doing it too as the atmosphere was so fantastic & it's always better to perform to an audience that appreciates good music & talent.
Thanks again, I will be recommending you to everyone."
- Naomi, Bride, Pensford, 27th April 2013

"Just a quick thank you for playing at our wedding (we're getting on a flight!). We thought you were brilliant and so many people said the same to us. Everyone was really up for it. Thanks very much!"
- Gemma Wolfes, Bride, Gants Mill, Somerset, 20th April 2013

"We would like to say a huge thank you to Papa Groove for making our evening so much fun and entertaining for everyone! You guys catered for everyone from granny to our little nephew and not one person didn't get up and shake their booty! You guys were amazing and we can't thank you enough for helping to make our day so special and run smoothly! You are all brilliant musicians who were so professional. Many thanks once again!"
- Claire & Barry, Newly Weds, Bruton, 23rd March 2013

"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing time on Friday night at the Trego wedding in Tetbury. Everyone said how much they enjoyed your set. Also, thank you for being so chilled with the Ozzy fella, Brad, 'singing' at the end of the night. Was definitely one of the highlights. Again, thank you all so much. You were fantastic."
- Chris, Best Man, Tetbury, 22nd March 2013

"We were thrilled to have Papa Groove play at Bristol Junior Chambers 64th Annual Dinner. The dance floor was packed as soon as they came on and the mixture of songs selected was perfect to get everybody up and dancing. The sound was large enough to keep the 200 people entertained and the band created the most incredible atmosphere! There has been so much positive feedback from those who attended so please pass on our thanks to all the band members as they really made the evening the success it was. We were hugely impressed with the bands professional approach, from contract to public liability, and with the straight forward booking process. On the night when there was lots for us as the organisers to think about the fact the band were able to coordinate all their set up with the hotel and need no further input from us was a huge relief. We found the band very accommodating, especially suggesting we could use their microphones when we couldnt use the hotels."
- Gemma-Jane, Event Coordinator, Bristol, 9th March 2013

"Thanks so much for performing at our wedding. The band were every bit as good as we'd been told! Great choice of music and a fantastic performance. We had several comments from our guests about how much they enjoyed the music. And you playing our first dance live was the icing on the wedding cake! We hope to hear you all play again in the future and would not hesitate in recommending Papa Groove"
- Chris Sayers, Groom, Cardiff, 12th January 2013

Papa Groove were incredible. They played all the songs wed asked for; were tight, funky and cool; and kept the dancefloor heaving from the moment they started till the very last note. Thank you so much for making our wedding and New Years Eve party so much fun.
- Emma & Varun, Newly weds, Swansea Waterfront Museum, 31st December 2012

"Hi Steve,
Happy New Year!
Our proper written thank yous will follow, but we just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you and the band for helping to make our wedding such an amazing evening for us!
We had an awesome time dancing away to your brilliant sets (and expertly selected playlists) and weve been inundated with friends and family raving about you guys so many people that said that you are the best band theyve seen at a wedding and we couldnt agree more! I am only sorry that the night slipped away before we could really meet and introduce ourselves properly.
Thanks so much again, and please pass on our huge thanks to the rest of the band."
- Vicky and Sam, Newly Weds, Hawksmoor Guildhall, London, 22nd December 2012

"Carl and I wanted to drop you a quick note to say a huge thanks to you and the band for coming along to our Civil Partnership celebration in Whitbourne. You guys were genuinely awesome and we've had nothing but praise and glowing feedback from our guests who thoroughly enjoyed the evening and your performance. We'd highly recommend you and I think you have some new fans as a result of the weekend (and probably at least one guest who wanted to join the band!!!).
Thanks very much once again - you all made the evening really special and we were over the moon with your performance.
All the very best for the future."
- Darren and Carl, Civil Partnership, Whitbourne, 3rd November 2012

"You guys played at our wedding on the June 23rd at Westwood Hotel. The band was amazing, and especially kind letting our friend Eric sit in (thanks to your super generous guitarist), and also Brian's son, Tim who sang a song. If you ever need a wedding recommendation just let us know! Our friends are still talking about the amazing band we had! For me the time just flew by... before we knew it the evening was over."
- Jane Milligan, Bride, Oxford, 23rd June 2012

"Thank you so much for contributing hugely to our wedding on the 2nd June 2012.
We have had guests rave about you ever since. You guys really made the wedding reception, thank you so so much. Such a brilliant band.
You're fantastic!!"
- Alice and Toby Clarke, Newly Weds, Surrey, 2nd June 2012

"I am now back from my honeymoon and really wanted to say thank you all so much for the amazing music at my wedding. It really was perfect and everyone has commented on how good the band was. It definitely made the evening for me seeing so many friends having such a fun time dancing. I would definitely recommend Funkty Dumpty to anyone looking for a band. I hope you all enjoyed the evening.
Thank you again for helping to make such a perfect party."
- Clemmie, Bride, Cornwall, 13th October 2012

"I just wanted to thank you and the guys once more for doing such a fantastic job on Saturday night. We will definitely be keeping your details on file.
The band were absolutely amazing! You played 3 sets for our Corporate Event, around other entertainers, and it all went smoothly. We had a dance floor set up in the room, but it wasn't large enough as so many of our guests wanted to dance to the great music. I have had so many people coming up to me and telling me how much they enjoyed the band.
I was speaking with lots of the guests on Sunday morning, and they all had nothing but praise for the band, especially the singers, who I agree were incredible."
- Paul Newton, Venue Finder, Portugal, 22nd September 2012

"The evening went very well and we have also received positive feedback. Thank you for helping to make it a great event!
(The band were) very professional, well presented, well organised and arrived on time. They were brilliant and the delegates loved their performance. We would definitely consider using them again."
- Laura, Events Organiser, Corporate Awards, Bristol, 12th September 2012

Set Formats

Papa Groove Offer:

2 x 60 Minute Sets
Or
3 x 40 Minute Sets