Musician Speakers to Book for Corporate Events

Sixteen musician speakers you can book through PepTalk, grouped by the job they do at an event. Some deliver a business keynote, some are booked for the name on the poster, some perform, and some talk about the music industry itself.

Booking a musician goes wrong when the brief and the format do not match. A stadium name will fill a room but may not have a keynote. A speaker who plays guitar will have a method but not the draw. Work out which one you need first. For the full roster, see our musician speakers, music business speakers and celebrity speakers.

Which musicians deliver a proper business keynote?

These four have a second career that gives them something to say beyond the band. Aviation, regenerative farming, creative facilitation and social activism. Book from here when you need content the audience can act on, not only a story they will enjoy. Related topics include entrepreneurship, creativity and purpose.

» Explore: All musician speakers

Bruce Dickinson

Iron Maiden's frontman, and a qualified airline pilot who flew the band's own aircraft. He speaks on reinvention and risk, drawing on a career that runs from stadium rock to founding an aviation business.

Learn more and book Bruce Dickinson →

Andy Cato

Half of Groove Armada, now co-founder of Wildfarmed and a Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole. He sold his back catalogue to fund a move into regenerative farming, and speaks on food systems and climate.

Learn more and book Andy Cato →

Jamie Catto

Grammy-nominated co-founder of Faithless and 1 Giant Leap, with more than 20 million albums sold. His sessions are built around creative breakthrough and getting teams past the blocks that stop original work.

Learn more and book Jamie Catto →

Speech Thomas

Grammy-winning founder of Arrested Development and a hip-hop pioneer. His keynotes are delivered with live music and cover authentic leadership, social activism and creative resilience.

Learn more and book Speech Thomas →

Which band names work for celebrity bookings?

Four recognisable names from British bands, all with a story that carries a room. This group suits conference dinners, client entertaining and celebration events, where the booking is partly about the announcement. Several also host. See our after dinner speakers and high energy speakers.

» Explore: All event entertainment

Alex James

Blur's bassist, now an award-winning artisan cheesemaker and festival founder. He talks about the music industry and the second career that followed it, which suits food, drink and hospitality audiences.

Learn more and book Alex James →

Dave Rowntree

Blur's drummer, and also a solicitor, animator and former Labour parliamentary candidate. He speaks on creative thinking, technology and public service, which is an unusual combination for a band member.

Learn more and book Dave Rowntree →

Danny Jones

McFly's singer and guitarist, a music producer, and a coach on The Voice UK. Multiplatinum album sales plus mainstream television recognition make him a strong draw for high-energy events.

Learn more and book Danny Jones →

Samantha Fox

An 80s pop icon with 30 million records sold, and a long-standing LGBTQ+ advocate. She speaks on authenticity and resilience, tracing the route from modelling to music stardom and back again.

Learn more and book Samantha Fox →

Who works for entertainment-led events?

Performers first. Book from this group when the slot is entertainment rather than content, or when you want one person to sing, host and hold the evening together. Related links: emcee speakers, award hosts, event hosts and comedian speakers.

» Explore: All interactive keynote speakers

Jessie Ware

Gold-certified singer-songwriter and host of one of the UK's most successful podcasts. She brings both musical performance and interview-led storytelling, which works well for a hosted format.

Learn more and book Jessie Ware →

Fleur East

Singer, presenter and Strictly finalist who now fronts national radio and television. High energy and comfortable in front of a live crowd, which makes her a reliable choice for awards nights.

Learn more and book Fleur East →

Ashley Roberts

Former Pussycat Doll, now a Heart Breakfast presenter. She speaks on performance and the media industry, and hosts, so a single booking can cover both the keynote and the running order.

Learn more and book Ashley Roberts →

Tim Minchin

Composer-lyricist behind Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day, and a comedian who works at the piano. The best fit here if the brief is music, comedy and storytelling in one act.

Learn more and book Tim Minchin →

Which music broadcasters and composers speak?

People who have spent their careers explaining music rather than only making it, which usually makes them the most reliable speakers in the category. Strong for cultural programming, awards and audiences that want storytelling. Also see our broadcaster speakers and artist speakers.

» Explore: All music business speakers

Howard Goodall

Emmy and BAFTA-winning composer whose television themes are widely recognised, and a music historian. He works as a national singing ambassador and speaks on music history and education.

Learn more and book Howard Goodall →

Mark Radcliffe

Broadcaster across BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 Music, and an author. Decades of interviews behind him, which makes him a strong after-dinner storyteller as well as a music industry commentator.

Learn more and book Mark Radcliffe →

Mary Anne Hobbs

BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, international DJ and music journalist, with festival hosting and Grammy-nominated soundtrack credits. She covers music culture and the business of curation.

Learn more and book Mary Anne Hobbs →

George The Poet

Spoken word artist and Peabody Award-winning podcaster. He turns social issues into narrative, and has performed at royal events and across BBC output. Suits audiences working on identity and social justice.

Learn more and book George The Poet →

Related topics: confidence, mental health, resilience and diversity and inclusion. Also worth seeing are our influencer speakers and filmmaker speakers.

How to choose between musician speakers

Decide first whether you are buying content or draw. If the agenda has a gap that needs filling with substance, Bruce Dickinson, Andy Cato, Jamie Catto and Speech Thomas all have a structured talk. If the job is to sell tickets or reward a team, the name matters more than the material, and Danny Jones, Fleur East or Samantha Fox will do more work.

Check the format early. Some of this group perform, some speak, and some do both, and the difference changes your run sheet, your technical requirements and your budget. A performance slot needs sound, staging and a soundcheck. A keynote needs a lectern and a screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do musician speakers perform as well as speak?

Some do and some do not, and it is usually priced separately. Speech Thomas builds live music into his keynotes. Tim Minchin, Jessie Ware and Fleur East all perform. Others, including Andy Cato and Dave Rowntree, are booked purely as speakers. Confirm at enquiry stage, because a performance changes your staging, sound and soundcheck requirements.

Can a musician speaker host our awards or conference?

Yes, several work as hosts. Ashley Roberts, Fleur East, Mark Radcliffe and Mary Anne Hobbs all have live hosting and broadcast experience. Danny Jones and Samantha Fox are more often booked as guests than as hosts. Browse our award hosts and emcee speakers for the full list.

What is the difference between a musician speaker and a music business speaker?

A musician speaker is booked because the audience knows their work, and the content comes from their own career. A music business speaker uses music as a method, for example a conductor teaching leadership or a drummer teaching team performance, and the audience does not need to know who they are. The second group is usually the better fit for a training or development brief.

Are these speakers UK-based?

Most of them are. Bruce Dickinson, Alex James, Danny Jones, Samantha Fox, Jessie Ware, Fleur East, Ashley Roberts, Tim Minchin, Howard Goodall, Mark Radcliffe, Mary Anne Hobbs and George The Poet are all based in the UK, with Dave Rowntree in Norwich and Andy Cato splitting time between the UK and France. Speech Thomas is based in Atlanta.

Looking for a musician for your next event? Send us a message via the chat and we'll shortlist against your date, format and budget. Remember, it's always a good time to get a PepTalk!