The best guitarists in Brisbane
A guitarist is the quiet workhorse of the Brisbane function calendar. Nobody books one to be the centre of the night, they book one so the room has a pulse while people arrive, eat and talk, and the good ones are judged on how well the conversation keeps going over the top of them.
There are two quite separate jobs in the list below. An instrumental player covers a ceremony, a long lunch or a gallery opening with no vocals at all, while a singing guitarist is closer to a one person band and will take requests. Say which one you are after in the first message, because the price and the setup are not the same.
Top picks in Brisbane
Top picks are the acts in this category in Brisbane, with the most visible client reviews first, then rating; premium listings break remaining ties.
Questions people ask about guitarists in Brisbane
How much does a guitarist cost in Brisbane?
The from-prices on this page are what local players are quoting now, and the main variables are the length of the booking and whether they are singing. An instrumental set over canapes is the simplest job going, while a singing guitarist working three sets with a PA and a microphone for speeches is closer to hiring a small act. Travel out past the western suburbs or up towards the bay adds to it as well, so give the venue address early.
Do I want an instrumental guitarist or one who sings?
It depends on whether you want people to listen or to talk. Instrumental playing sits under a conversation beautifully and is the right call for a ceremony, a dinner or a corporate arrival, while a singing guitarist pulls attention towards the performer, which is what you want at a party. Some players do both across an afternoon, and that is worth asking about if your event changes gear halfway through.
Can a guitarist play an outdoor Brisbane wedding ceremony?
It is one of the most common bookings here, and the practical questions are shade, power and wind rather than repertoire. A small battery amp covers most garden and riverside spots, and an experienced player will bring a clip to keep music on a stand when the breeze comes off the water. Storm season from November to February is the other consideration, so agree where the player moves to if the afternoon turns.
Will a guitarist learn a specific song for us?
Many will, some charge for the rehearsal time, and a few will politely decline if it does not suit the instrument. Arranging a song for one guitar is real work rather than just knowing the chords, so put the request in your opening message and give them room to say no. If the song matters more than the arrangement, ask whether they would rather sing it or play it instrumentally.
Booking tips
Humidity moves a guitar out of tune
A Brisbane summer afternoon on an open terrace is hard on a wooden instrument, and a player who has worked here will arrive early to let it settle rather than tuning between every song. Shade for the performer is worth arranging.
Check whether they need power
Riverside lawns, park rotundas and acreage spots often have no power within a safe cable run. Many players carry a battery amp for short sets, so ask rather than assuming there is a power point behind the nearest tree.
Sunset is early here all year
Without daylight saving, a Brisbane outdoor set is in the dark earlier than the southern states are used to. If the guitarist is playing through that changeover, make sure there is enough light on them to read a set list and see the fretboard.