Hire Finlay Balfour | Singing guitarist in Edinburgh

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From£200

1 hour

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Finlay Live Lounge

FINLAY BALFOUR LIVE: Year 3000 (Busted)

These Days (Jackson Browne Cover) - Finlay Balfour

About Finlay Balfour

Solo performer with over 10 years of professional experience. 200+ satisfied audiences internationally! Don't stress, book the best!

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Singing guitarist

Edinburgh

Public liability insurance of £1 million

Verified profile

With over 10 years of professional performing experience, a unique musical style, and a broad repertoire spanning 7 decades of tunes; Finlay is sure to make any occasion entertaining and memorable! He has carefully built a reputation across the UK for dynamic and exciting performances at a wide range of venues from small, intimate private gatherings to packed city-centre pubs and clubs; so he is very confident that he can be exactly what your event needs! Starting his training as a musical theatre performer where he gained Grade 8 qualifications in Singing and Music Theatre, he steadily transitioned into playing acoustic music, before becoming a full-time solo performer entertaining audiences worldwide! Finlay distinguishes himself from other entertainers by putting professionalism, authenticity, and warmth at the heart of his music. This extends from his performances with set-lists and musical styles which are fully tailored to each event, to his business conduct where he emphasises timeliness, efficiency, and honesty. From the first message to the final chorus, he is dedicated to showing every client that he represents the very best live music has to offer. Get in touch now for more information or to secure your booking!

Finlay Balfour

5 out of 5

15 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

Finlay Balfour's Reviews

5 out of 5

Our guests thoroughly enjoyed watching, listening and dancing to Finlay at our wedding drinks reception. He absolutely lit up what was an already glorious sunny day with great songs and amazing skills. Thank you Finlay!! We’d 100% recommend!!

Reply from Finlay Balfour

7 months ago

Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your day Victoria!

5 out of 5

Would highly recommend Finlay. Everyone thought he was great!

Reply from Finlay Balfour

7 months ago

Thanks again Jonny! It was a pleasure to play for you!

5 out of 5

Finlay is a real professional who can really sing! There’s a reason why he’s normally booked out for gigs across Edinburgh venues - he’s very good! We had the pleasure of Finlay providing background music to a pre-wedding BBQ. He’s a really nice guy who took the time to speak to us before the event to chat about the kind of music we were after. On the day he was prompt, came with quality equipment and played & sang beautifully. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

Reply from Finlay Balfour

8 months ago

Thanks so much for inviting me along Marcus! It was my pleasure!

5 out of 5

Finlay was fantastic, our wedding guests commented on how great he was. Would defo recommend, he was really easy to chat with and asked what we wanted, the dance floor was full with everyone having a great time. Couldn’t ask for anything more 10/10

Reply from Finlay Balfour

8 months ago

Thank you so much Stephanie! Congratulations again!

Read all 9 reviews

5 out of 5

Finlay came along and played at a retirement party I was throwing and he sure knows how to get the party going! Lovely and approachable guy whose replies are amazing and speedy (very helpful!). This is my second time using Finlay and I couldn't recommend him anymore, the best! Thanks for a great night and having everyone up on the dance floor all night long.

5 out of 5

We booked Finlay for a hen party and cannot reccommend him more highly. He was happy to take requests and absolutely nailed the set based on the few songs that were asked for. 10/10 very happy hens :)

Read all 6 reviews

Encore badges

10 gigs

Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

1st Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over a year

Encore expert

Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy

Member of the Encore community forum

Finlay Balfour's Song list

60s:

Don't Think Twice It's Alright – Bob Dylan

I'm A Believer - Monkees

Come Together - Beatles

California Dreamin' – Mamas and The Papas

Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones

Here Comes the Sun - Beatles

Just the Two of Us – Bill Withers

Loch Lomond - Corries

The Weight – Band

Wild Mountain Thyme – Corries

Witchita Lineman – Glen Campbell

Yesterday - Beatles

You Can't Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones

70s:

Baba O'Reilly - Who

Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen

Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell

Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations

Cracklin' Rosie – Neil Diamond

Dancing in the Moonlight – Thin Lizzy

Desperado - Eagles

Does Your Mother Know - ABBA

Easy - Commodores

Forever in Blue Jeans – Neil Diamond

Forever Young – Bob Dylan

Free Fallin' – Tom Petty

Gimme Gimme Gimme - ABBA

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac

Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger

I'm Still Standing – Elton John

Knowing Me Knowing You - ABBA

Late For the Sky – Jackson Browne

Layla – Eric Clapton

Let it Be - Beatles

Magic - Pilot

Mrs Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel

Night Moves – Bob Seger

Only the Good Die Young – Billy Joel

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting – Elton John

Sultans of Swing – Dire Straits

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

Ooh La La – Faces

Tainted Love – Gloria Jones

Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton

The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel

Tiny Dancer – Elton John

Whiskey In the jar – Thin Lizzy

Wild Horses – Rolling Stones

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

80s:

A Little Respect - Erasure

Africa - Toto

Bonzo Goes to Bitburg - Ramones

Caledonia – Dougie Maclean

Chocolate Girl – Deacon Blue

Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

Dignity – Deacon Blue

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

Down Under – Men At Work

Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nixx

Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Highwayman - Highwaymen

Holding Out For a Hero – Bonnie Tyler

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - Proclaimers

I'm On My Way - Proclaimers

It Must Be Love - Madness

Life With You - Proclaimers

Livin' On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

On The Road Again – Willie Nelson

Our House - Madness

Overkill – Men At Work

Walking in Memphis – Mark Cohn

Over and Done With - Proclaimers

Rich Girl – Hall and Oates

Rio – Duran Duran

Boys Don't Cry – The Cure

Take on Me - A-Ha

I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany

The Best – Tina Turner

The Whole of the Moon - Waterboys

Town Called Malice – The Jam

Where the Streets Have No Name - U2

Uptown Girl – Billy Joel

90s:

Californication - RHCP

Champagne Supernova – Oasis

Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews Band

Fields of Gold – Sting

Hand In My Pocket – Alanis Morissette

I Want it That Way – Backstreet Boys

Laid - James

Livin' La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin

Sally Cinnamon – Stone Roses

Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root

She's the One – Robbie Williams

Shine – Take That

Sit Down - James

There is a Life That Never Goes Out - Smiths

Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show

Wannabe – Spice Girls

Waterfall – Stone Roses

Wonderwall - Oasis

00s:

Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows

All These Things That I've Done - Killers

America - Razorlights

Angels – Robbie Williams

Babylon – David Gray

Bubbles – Biffy Clyro

C’est La Vie - Stereophonics

Chelsea Dagger - Fratellis

Dakota - Stereophonics

Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader

Don't Look Back Into the Sun - Libertines

Drops of Jupiter - Travis

Hey Laura – Gregory Porter

Hey Soul Sister - Train

Human - Killers

I Believe In a Thing Called Love - Darkness

I Don't Feel Like Dancin' – Scissor Sisters

I Predict a Riot – Kaiser Chiefs

I'm Yours – Jason Mraz

Last Request – Paolo Nutini

Many of Horror – Biffy Clyro

Naive - Kooks

New Shoes – Paolo Nutini

Not Nineteen Forever - Courteneers

On Causewayside - Proclaimers

Pencil Full of Lead – Paolo Nutini

Same Jeans - View

Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer

Somebody Told Me - Killers

Something Like Olivia – John Mayer

Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall

Take Your Mama – Scissor Sisters

There's a Touch - Proclaimers

Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Valerie – Amy Winehouse

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

When You Were Young - Killers

Where is the Love – Black Eyed Peas

Year 3000 - Busted

Yellow - Coldplay

You're Beautiful – James Blunt

10s:

Belter – Gerry Cinnamon

Blank Space – Taylor Swift

Canter – Gerry Cinnamon

Castle on a Hill – Ed Sheeran

Dancing on My Own - Robyn

Diamonds in the Mud – Gerry Cinnamon

Domino – Jessie J

Elvis Ain't Dead – Scouting For Girls

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Fascination - Alphabeat

Get Lucky – Daft Punk

Good 4 U – Olivia Rodrigo

Grace Kelly - MIKA

Hypersonic Missiles – Sam Fender

I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons

Little Lion Man – Mumford and Sons

Lover of the Light – Mumford and Sons

Pompeii - Bastille

Price Tag – Jessie J

Raise Your Glass – P!nk

Seventeen Going Under – Sam Fender

Shotgun – George Ezra

The A Team – Ed Sheeran

Thinking out Loud – Ed Sheeran

20s:

Good 4 U - Olivia Rodrigo

Green Green Grass – George Ezra

Jealousy, Jealousy - Olivia Rodrigo

The Joker and The Queen – Ed Sheeran

Finlay Balfour's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£100
Up to 1 hour	£200
Up to 2 hours	£325
Up to 3 hours	£400

Wedding Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception to entertain your guests and add that live-music sparkle! Set-list is customised for your event.

£375

Wedding Ceremony + Drinks Reception

1 x up to 30 minutes performance for the Ceremony - Setlist 100% chosen by you, includes entrance/exit music for guests, aisle music, and background music during signing of register. 2 x 45 minutes performances for your drinks reception. Setlist built upon your requests and what you'd like the vibe to be. 1 x 45 minutes performance as dinner is being served. Aims to provide the ideal light entertainment to accompany the meal.

£450

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner

£525

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I always love when clients tell me how much I connect with the audience during a performance! I try to tailor my setlist to the vibe of the event so if someone requests a song not on my setlist, or the mood changes, I'm ready!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I've had the pleasure of working with a large number of venues, from small independent pubs to large theatres. These include Dakota and Novotel Hotels, the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline, and The Edinburgh Fringe!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My playing style has been influenced by the likes of David Gilmour, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton and Joni Mitchell, while my singing style leans towards my training in musical theatre. I hugely admire artists such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Carole King, and I try to capture their stage presence, authenticity, and sense of fun in my performances.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Probably the Edinburgh Fringe.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I try to be as flexible as possible with clients, so don't worry if things change after you've booked! Be sure to let me know as soon as you can and I will try my best to accommodate!

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely! All prices include supplementary music between my sets. If you'd like a DJ service after the final set, this can be purchased for an additional fee.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually expect to be ready to play after a 30 minute set up, but this varies by event type and location.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Absolutely! You and your guests are very welcome to ask me to play anything from my song list, and I try my best to accommodate requests outside of this also!

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes! I tailor the equipment I bring to the event's requirements, so no additional equipment is required!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

I'm always very happy to learn new songs for clients, but if a song isn't on my song list there's a good chance I already know it! If there's a particularly special song you'd like me to perform that I don't already know, then there is a small rehearsal fee depending on time required.

Musicianship

Genres:

Pop, Christmas, 1990s era music, 1980s era music, 1970s era music, 1960s era music, 1950s era music, Folk, Country, Folk rock, Traditional English folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Easy listening, Light music, Originals, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Americana, Funk rock, Disco, Covers, Hip Hop, Karaoke, R&B, Tribute, Top 40, Soul, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Hard rock, Glam rock, Indie, Pop rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Punk rock, Progressive rock, Scottish music

See all genres

Instruments:

Singing guitarist, Singer, Guitar

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Event types:

Wedding, Bar / Club / Venue event, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Theatre / Show, Recording session, Concert, Charity event, Corporate event, Private event, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Church service, Cruise

See all event types

Other skills:

Audio engineer, Composer, Lyricist, Sound technician, Songwriter, Producer, Actor, Musical comedy, Fluent improviser, Live looping, Ableton Live, Theory teaching, Singing teaching

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