Singing guitarist

Finlay Balfour

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About Finlay Balfour

Solo performer with over 10 years of professional experience. 1000+ satisfied audiences internationally! Don't stress, book the best!
Singing guitarist
Dunfermline
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
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
23 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Finlay Balfour's Reviews

From Encore customers:

CP
Courtney P
7 months ago
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5 out of 5

Finlay was absolutely amazing for my Mum's 60th Garden Party! From start to finish!! We couldn't have asked for better!

Reply from Finlay Balfour
2 months ago

Thanks Courtney! You were all great fun! Best wishes to you and your mum :))

LP
Louis P
7 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Superb and professional . Really brought the fun to out outdoor wedding ceremony and reception. Even learned a new song to perform for us. Would highly recommend Finlay for your event.

Reply from Finlay Balfour
7 months ago

Thank you Louis! I had an amazing time at your wedding and felt so privileged to be a part of such a unique day. I wish you and Gary both the best. Finlay

MH
Mosa H
8 months ago
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5 out of 5

Wow wow wow! Finlay, you were simply amazing! All my guests raved about you and my only complaint is that I missed most of your performance due to photo duties :( Everyone, I would highly recommend Finlay, please book him for your event! You will NOT be disappointed!

Reply from Finlay Balfour
7 months ago

Thank you so much for inviting me along! I was so pleased to be a part of your special day. All the best to you both!

DS
David S
9 months ago
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5 out of 5

We had a fantastic time and I would not hesitate to recommend Finlay to my friends and family

Reply from Finlay Balfour
9 months ago

Thanks David! I had a great time!

Read all 15 reviews

From other customers:

JG
Jill G
2 months ago, for a Birthday party in 181 Whitehouse Rd
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5 out of 5

Tremendous - Would highly recommend! Booked Finlay for a surprise 70th party - wonderful singer and created a great atmosphere with songs to suit the crowd. Friendly, good natured and communication in the lead up was excellent. Cannot fault.

LC
Lirrie C
2 months ago, for a Private event in Edinburgh
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Finlay played and sang at my retirement party. He is an outstanding musician and amazing voice. We were a rowdy bunch but he was so professional. Would 100% book him again & highly recommend.

Read all 8 reviews
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25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
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Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
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Finlay Balfour's Song list

60s
All Along The Watchtower-Bob Dylan
Blowin' In the Wind-Bob Dylan
California Dreamin'-Mamas and The Papas
Come Together-The Beatles
Don't Think Twice It's Alright-Bob Dylan
Folsom Prison Blues-Johnny Cash
Gimme Shelter-The Rolling Stones
Here Comes the Sun-The Beatles
I'm A Believer-Monkees
Just Like A Woman-Bob Dylan
Just the Two of Us-Bill Withers
Like A Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan
Loch Lomond-Corries
My Girl-The Temptations
Paint it, Black-The Rolling Stones
Stuck in the Middle With You-Stealers Wheel
The Boxer-Simon & Garfunkel
The Times They Are A-Changin-Bob Dylan
The Weight-The Band
Top of the World-Carpenters
Wild Mountain Thyme-The Corries
Witchita Lineman-Glen Campbell
Yesterday-The Beatles
You Can't Always Get What You Want-The Rolling Stones
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher-Jackie Wilson
70s
American Pie-Don McLean
Baba O'Reilly-The 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
December 1963 (Oh What a Night)-The Four Seasons
Desperado-Eagles
Does Your Mother Know-ABBA
Easy-Commodores
Everywhere-Fleetwood Mac
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
Landslide-Fleetwood Mac
Late For the Sky-Jackson Browne
Layla-Eric Clapton
Let it Be-The Beatles
Love the One You're With-Stephen Stills
Maggie May-Rod Stewart
Magic-Pilot
Mamma Mia-ABBA
More Than A Feeling-Boston
Mrs Robinson-Simon & Garfunkel
Night Moves-Bob Seger
Only the Good Die Young-Billy Joel
Ooh La La-Faces
Proud Mary-Tina Turner
Rocketman-Elton John
Running On Empty-Jackson Browne
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting-Elton John
Simple Twist of Fate-Bob Dylan
Sultans of Swing-Dire Straits
Sweet Caroline-Neil Diamond
Tainted Love-Gloria Jones
The Gambler-Kenny Rogers
Tiny Dancer-Elton John
Whiskey in the Jar-Thin Lizzy
Wild Horses-The Rolling Stones
Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd
Wonderful Tonight-Eric Clapton
80s
9 To 5-Dolly Parton
A Little Respect-Erasure
Africa-Toto
Bonzo Goes to Bitburg-Ramones
Boys Don't Cry-The Cure
Caledonia-Dougie Maclean
Chocolate Girl-Deacon Blue
Come on Eileen-Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Dignity-Deacon Blue
Dirty Old Town-The Pogues
Don't Stop Believin'-Journey
Down Under-Men At Work
Edge of Seventeen-Stevie Nixx
Fisherman's Blues-The Waterboys
Girls Just Want to Have Fun-Cyndi Lauper
Higher Love-Steve Winwood
Highwayman-Highwaymen
Holding Out For a Hero-Bonnie Tyler
I Think We're Alone Now-Tiffany
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)-The Proclaimers
I'm On My Way-The Proclaimers
It Must Be Love-Madness
Life With You-The Proclaimers
Livin' On A Prayer-Bon Jovi
Maneater-Daryl Hall and John Oates
On The Road Again-Willie Nelson
Our House-Madness
Over and Done With-The Proclaimers
Overkill-Men At Work
Rich Girl-Hall and Oates
Rio-Duran Duran
Sweet Child O Mine-Guns 'N' Roses
Take on Me-A-Ha
The Best-Tina Turner
The Boys of Summer-Don Henley
The Whole of the Moon-The Waterboys
Town Called Malice-The Jam
Uptown Girl-Billy Joel
Walking in Memphis-Mark Cohn
Walking on Sunshine-Katrina and the Waves
We Built This City-Starship
Where the Streets Have No Name-U2
You Can Call Me Al-Paul Simon
You Make My Dreams-Hall and Oates
90s
Barbie Girl-Aqua
Bittersweet Symphony-The Verve
Breakfast and Tiffanys-Deep Blue Something
Californication-RHCP
Champagne Supernova-Oasis
Cotton Eyed Joe-Rednex
Crash Into Me-Dave Matthews Band
Creep-Radiohead
Dreams-The Cranberries
Fields of Gold-Sting
Friday I'm in Love-The Cure
Hand In My Pocket-Alanis Morissette
I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You-Colin Hay
I Want it That Way-Backstreet Boys
Laid-James
Linger-The Cranberries
Livin' La Vida Loca-Ricky Martin
Lucky Man-The Verve
Man I Feel Like a Woman-Shania Twain
Sally Cinnamon-Stone Roses
Send Me On My Way-Rusted Root
She's the One-Robbie Williams
Shine-Take That
Sit Down-James
That Don't Impress Me Much-Shania Twain
There is a Life That Never Goes Out-The Smiths
Wagon Wheel-Old Crow Medicine Show
Wannabe-Spice Girls
Waterfall-The Stone Roses
Wonderwall-Oasis
00s
1973-James Blunt
Accidentally in Love-Counting Crows
All Star-Smash Mouth
All These Things That I've Done-The Killers
America-Razorlight
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
Foundations-Kate Nash
Hey Laura-Gregory Porter
Hey Soul Sister-Train
Hey There Delilah-Plain White T’s
How to Save a Life-The Fray
Human-The Killers
I Believe In a Thing Called Love-Darkness
I Don't Feel Like Dancin'-Scissor Sisters
I Miss You-Blink-182
I Predict a Riot-Kaiser Chiefs
I'm Yours-Jason Mraz
Last Request-Paolo Nutini
Left Outside Alone-Anastacia
Many of Horror-Biffy Clyro
Mr Brightside-The Killers
Mr Rock and Roll-Amy Macdonald
Murder On The Dancefloor-Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Naive-Kooks
New Shoes-Paolo Nutini
Not Nineteen Forever-Courteneers
On Causewayside-The Proclaimers
Party in the USA-Miley Cyrus
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-The Killers
Something Like Olivia-John Mayer
Stacey's Mom-Fountains of Wayne
Suddenly I See-KT Tunstall
Take Your Mama-Scissor Sisters
The Galway Girl-Steve Earle
There's a Touch-The Proclaimers
This is The Life-Amy Macdonald
Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield
Use Somebody-Kings of Leon
Valerie-Amy Winehouse
Viva La Vida-Coldplay
Waiting For My Real Life to Begin-Colin Hay
When You Were Young-The Killers
Where is the Love-Black Eyed Peas
Year 3000-Busted
Yellow-Coldplay
You Are The Best Thing-Ray LaMontagne
You're Beautiful-James Blunt
10s
Rolling in the Deep-Adele
Fascination-Alphabeat
Wake Me Up-Avicii
Pompeii-Bastille
Marry You-Bruno Mars
Tennessee Whiskey-Chris Stapleton
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall-Coldplay
Get Lucky-Daft Punk
Castle on a Hill-Ed Sheeran
The A Team-Ed Sheeran
Thinking out Loud-Ed Sheeran
Emmylou-First Aid Kit
Pumped Up Kicks-Foster the People
Shotgun-George Ezra
Belter-Gerry Cinnamon
Canter-Gerry Cinnamon
Diamonds in the Mud-Gerry Cinnamon
Adore You-Harry Styles
Domino-Jessie J
Price Tag-Jessie J
Love Yourself-Justin Bieber
Grace Kelly-MIKA
I Will Wait-Mumford and Sons
Little Lion Man-Mumford and Sons
Lover of the Light-Mumford and Sons
The Cave-Mumford and Sons
Stick Season-Noah Kahan
Raise Your Glass-P!nk
Candy-Paolo Nutini
Dancing on My Own-Robyn
Hypersonic Missiles-Sam Fender
Seventeen Going Under-Sam Fender
Elvis Ain't Dead-Scouting For Girls
Heartbeat-Scouting For Girls
A Bar Song (Tipsy)-Shaboozey
Blank Space-Taylor Swift
Shut Up and Dance-Walk the Moon
20s
Dial Drunk-Noah Kahan
End of Beginning-Djo
Good 4 U-Olivia Rodrigo
Good Luck Babe-Chappell Roan
Green Green Grass-George Ezra
Jealousy, Jealousy-Olivia Rodrigo
Pink Pony Club-Chappell Roan
Please Please Please-Sabrina Carpenter
That's So True-Gracie Abrams
The Joker and The Queen-Ed Sheeran
Tiny Indoor Fireworks-Biffy Clyro
Until I Found You-Stephen Sanchez

Finlay Balfour's Prices

Last updated: 2025

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£125
Up to 1 hour£250
Up to 2 hours£450
Up to 3 hours£545
Packages
Wedding ceremony
Everything you need to add that extra magic to your perfect wedding ceremony. Includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. Also includes learning of any special songs you'd like played at the ceremony.
£250
Drinks reception
Entirely bespoke playlist tailored to you and your music taste. Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£480
Wedding Ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£750

Add-ons

Master of Ceremonies
+£60
Special Request
+£60
DJ Set
+£75
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:
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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
See all skills