Free Spirit
Free Spirit's award-winning 11-piece lineup combines dynamic vocals, a versatile repertoire, and unmatched energy, making it the trusted choice for elite events.
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About the Band
Free Spirit
Free Spirit’s high-energy, visual, and interactive performances have set the bar for creating memorable dance parties in and around our nation’s capital. Washingtonian Magazine readers have voted Free Spirit as a four-time winner of the "Top band in Washington DC" award, and the band has twice received Modern Bride Magazine’s recognition as one of “America’s Best Bands”. Whether it’s a wedding reception, corporate gala, fundraiser, or political function, Free Spirit continues to be the choice for discerning clients and industry professionals in DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!
What sets Free Spirit apart? Simply put, it’s exceptional musicians performing exceptional music exceptionally well. This band’s resume boasts nearly 2000 special events over three-plus decades, a time in which the band has carefully honed its repertoire while maintaining a reputation as the most current dance band in town — constantly updating its song selections to include today’s Top 40 hits (view the band’s song list and you’ll see what we mean). But they can also include the best time-tested dance hits from R&B, Motown, Disco, Latin, Big Band Swing and Standards. Free Spirit’s enormous song list allows for highly-personalized, dynamic performances during which your guests are engaged and encouraged to become part of the experience.
The band consists of eleven pieces, including four impressive and dynamic lead singers (one male and three female), three talented horn players (trumpet, trombone and saxophone) - one of whom doubles on percussion - and a driving four-piece rhythm section consisting of drums, bass, guitar and keyboards. Free Spirit’s singers and musicians have earned industry respect by receiving recording contracts with major record companies, being awarded prestigious positions in armed forces bands and orchestras, and receiving endorsement recognition from major musical equipment companies including Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Taye Drums and Soul Tone Cymbals.
Free Spirit has received critical acclaim from notable publications including Washingtonian, Town & Country, Modern Bride, Washington Life and Baltimore Magazines and is one of the most-referred bands by the region’s leading event planners. To top it all off, the premier entertainers in the area including the National Symphony, National Opera, Washington Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Choral Arts Society and the Washington Performing Arts Society, to name a few, made Free Spirit their band of choice for their annual gala.
Free Spirit is an incredible choice in the DC, Virginia and Maryland area for dance music, with a wide variety of tunes designed to keep your feet moving. The key to a memorable wedding reception, corporate party, fundraiser, or political event is a band that brings a high-energy, customized set list, with great visual effects and crowd interaction. Free Spirit continues to meet these requirements, bringing crowd-pleasing tunes that make for a spectacular dance party.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Killers
Stevie Wonder
Whitney Houston
Testimonial
Free Spirit was truly wonderful. Elevated an already wonderful evening to perfection. They were so engaging and seemed to know exactly the right music to keep our guests on the floor at all times. One of the best decisions we made throughout the planning process.
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Excellence On & Off Stage
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FAQs
Find answers to your questions about our bands and booking process right here.
We offer bands for nearly every budget, starting around $2,000 and going up to $15,000+. Most dance bands range between $3,500 and $8,500.
Bands bring instruments and sound equipment for most weddings and events, covering up to several hundred guests. For larger events, additional sound support can be arranged for a fee or through a vendor you provide.
All bands provide basic lighting for their performance area, but this isn’t decor lighting for the whole space. Light stands typically feature a few white or colored LED or par cans. Some bands can adjust lighting to fit the event, or they can skip it if you’re working with a separate lighting vendor.
Special event bands charge a single fee for up to a 4-hour block, including breaks. They’ll play a preset playlist during breaks, scheduled around natural pauses like speeches or cake cutting. For a 4-hour event, bands need at least 45 minutes of break time, usually split into two 20-25 minute breaks. Some bands offer a three-hour no-break option and can add overtime for an extra fee.
Spring and fall Saturday events often book a year or more in advance, with popular dates typically securing bands 8-15 months ahead. Non-Saturday events book closer to the date, and we often help clients with shorter timelines (2-6 months) find great bands. Booking early increases your options for in-demand bands, so reach out soon!