Finding local musicians

[doadeer]

I have a small business and we are looking for a musician to play at some of our events (fully paid), where do I find musicians? It's a particular sound we are looking for.

Google isn't really helping much...

Depends upon what you're looking for.

Maybe contact a local college? Several of dd's mates play in bands/gigs where we live!

It's a folk/ spiritual type sound we want with a harp/guitar or similar

What genre. For pop/rock etc theres local promoters that represent lots of local artists, principally covers bands but some do their own material. For folk, country etc its east enough to find artists via google as most will actively be doing their own promotion. For classical call your local semi pro orchestra, all cities have them and many towns, also try your local university or 6th form. Dd (classical singer) advertises via her facebook and instagram pages, has a YouTube channel and a (poorly updated) website.

It's certainly worth asking on your local area Facebook group

If anywhere close to Cardiff, try the royal Welsh for a harpist

Facebook

And remember most decent singers can turn their hand to other genres, youngsters starting out especially.

Maslink.co.uk , you say what combination you want, details, and they check the artists on their books.
My sister gets loads of work through it. It has RPO, LSO and other regional orchestral professionals on it.

They might do folk etc though, I think she's had pop gigs through it.

Band camp website?

Lots of the directory websites they are all really far away, we'd like someone local as we couldn't afford to pay for long travel and it would be an ongoing relationship so we'd do these events every other month

Your area must have a local "arts centre" or venue for live music? Go on their website or fo in and look at the posters.
Also instagram using location search.

What area are you? Have you heard any of Luke De-Sciscios music? God is alive and seeing himself is a track thst comes to mind. (Not religious)

Facebook groups - keep searching for the relevant areas
Musicians Union

Put 'Wedding musicians' into the search bar on Facebook - loads of sites come up.
The vast majority of musician on there only do weddings to bring in the cash - they would almost all probably prefer other gigs (and many do play other gigs).

Also, go to some local festivals, and approach people you hear, that you like.