The best 80s cover bands in Perth
The eighties set does a specific job at a party: it's the material a room full of forty to sixty year olds knows every word of, and it works on people who would otherwise stand near the bar all night. Perth has a solid pool of bands doing it, from four-pieces with a keyboard to bigger groups with the full synth and shoulder-pad treatment.
Almost none of these acts carry a public rating, so lean on the video and on what they tell you about their gear. The footage from a function room says far more than a photo, and a Perth band that's played your kind of night will happily tell you which venues it has worked.
Top picks in Perth
Top picks are the acts in this category in Perth, with the most visible client reviews first, then rating; premium listings break remaining ties.
Questions people ask about 80s cover bands in Perth
How much does an 80s cover band cost in Perth?
Lineup size first, then the hours and the distance. Adding a keyboard player and a second singer to a four-piece is two more fees and a bigger PA, and a run north to Joondalup or south past Rockingham adds travel to the night. Each band's starting figure sits on its profile and reflects a set number of players, so ask which number that is.
Is an 80s band a good choice for a 50th birthday?
It's close to the safest booking there is, because the guest of honour was a teenager when that music was new and so was half the room. Give the band five or six songs that mean something to the person and ask them to hold the biggest ones until after the speeches. A Perth summer party will also run later outdoors, so check what time the music has to stop.
Will an 80s band play anything outside the decade?
Most will, and plenty of Perth groups build a night that starts in the seventies and runs into the nineties so nobody feels left out. Ask to see a real setlist rather than a genre description, because the difference between a themed show and a covers band with an eighties bent is worth knowing before you book. If you want the show version, say so.
How far ahead should we book in Perth?
Three months is comfortable for a Saturday, and the November and December work party run is the one that closes early. Perth's pool of function bands is smaller than the east coast's, so the same groups get asked for the same nights and the good dates go in winter. A midweek event is a different story and you can often book one inside a month.
Booking tips
Ask whether the keyboard sounds are real
Eighties songs live or die on the synth parts, and a guitar band playing them straight sounds thin. A keyboard player with the right patches changes the whole set.
Sort the costume question early
Some bands go full wardrobe and some play in black. Decide what you want, and remember that a Perth summer party outdoors is a hard place to wear a jacket and a wig.
Confirm the power at outdoor venues
Backyard and poolside parties here often have one domestic circuit, which a band with lighting will trip. Ask what they need and whether the house can supply it before the day.