Why does genre cause problems in self-organised bands?

When you form a band through listings or word of mouth, genre often becomes a sticking point early on. One person wants Jimi Hendrix, another wants Adele, a third only wants to play originals. Getting four or five people to agree on a cohesive direction takes longer than most bands expect. And even when you land on a broad genre, building an actual setlist from that takes more back-and-forth than most people are prepared for.

How does BetheBand handle the setlist?

At BetheBand, every member suggests 5 songs before rehearsals begin. The band director uses those suggestions to build a set that works for the group's combined taste and ability level, aiming to include at least one song per person. Everyone has a genuine stake in what the band is playing, and the setlist reflects the actual people in the room rather than a default playlist.

What if I have very specific or unusual musical tastes?

BetheBand works with what is in the room. If your references are artists most members would not know, the band director looks for common ground: songs or bands that share a similar feel, tempo, or energy. The goal is always a setlist where everyone in the band is genuinely enthusiastic about what they are playing.

What Genres Do Adult Bands in London Play?

Q: What genres do adult bands in London tend to play?

The most common genres among adult bands in London are pop, rock, and blues, particularly covers from the 1970s through to the present day. Beyond that you will find adult bands playing funk, soul, indie, and classic rock. Less commonly, jazz, folk, and country. The mix depends on where you look and who else is in the group.

Q: Does genre affect which band I get placed in at BetheBand?

Yes. Musical taste is one of the factors used when matching musicians into bands. At the Meet and Greet, the band director gets to know not just your playing level but the music you love. That information shapes which band you are placed in, so the setlist feels genuinely yours rather than something you are just going along with.

Q: What does BetheBand cost?

BetheBand costs £799 per term. That covers 12 weekly 2-hour rehearsal sessions at a professional practice studio in Central London, a dedicated band director for the full term, and the final live show.

Genre is one of the first questions people ask when they start looking for a band. It is also one of the most important ones.

Playing music you genuinely love sounds completely different from playing music you are indifferent to. The commitment in rehearsal is different. The energy on stage is different. And when the performance finally happens, it means more.

Here is what genres adult musicians in London can realistically access, and how setlists actually get built.

What genres do adult bands in London tend to play?

The most common styles among adult bands in London are pop, rock, and blues, particularly covers of songs from the 1970s through to the present day. These genres work well in a band format because the song structures are familiar, the parts are well-defined, and the music is widely loved across different ages and backgrounds.

Beyond that, you will find adult bands playing funk, soul, indie, and classic rock. Less commonly, jazz, folk, and country. The genre mix depends entirely on where you look and who else is in the group.

The setlist problem with self-organised bands

When you form a band through classified listings or word of mouth, the genre question often becomes a sticking point early on. One person wants to play Jimi Hendrix. Another wants to cover Adele. A third will only play original material. Getting four or five people to agree on a cohesive direction takes longer than most bands expect.

Even when you land on a broad genre, translating that into an actual setlist involves a lot of back-and-forth. Who picks the songs? Who decides when there is a disagreement? Without a structure for making those calls, it tends to stay unresolved.

How BetheBand handles setlists

At BetheBand, the setlist process is built into the programme. Before rehearsals begin, every member suggests 5 songs they want to play. The band director uses those suggestions to build a set that works for the group's combined taste and ability level. We aim to include at least one song per person.

This does two things. It gives everyone a genuine stake in the music the band is playing. And it produces a setlist that reflects the actual people in the band, rather than a default playlist chosen by whoever spoke loudest.

When a member feels they contributed to a song, that tends to be one of the highlights of the whole term.

What genres does BetheBand work with?

The core genres at BetheBand are pop, rock, and blues. That covers an enormous range, from The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac to Arctic Monkeys and Amy Winehouse, from Stevie Wonder to Radiohead. Most members find their favourite songs fall somewhere in that territory.

We are also open to other genres when the right combination of musicians comes together. If a band forms around a shared love of soul, funk, or indie, the setlist goes in that direction.

What we are not is a jazz programme, a classical ensemble, or an original-music setup. BetheBand is for musicians who want to play songs they love, with other people who love them too, and perform them live.

Does genre affect which band I get placed in?

Yes. Musical taste is one of the factors we use when matching musicians into bands. When you come in for a Meet & Greet, the band director gets to know not just your playing level but the music you love. That information is used to make sure you are in a group where the setlist feels genuinely yours, not something you are just going along with.

What if I have very specific or unusual tastes?

We work with what we have. If your references are artists that most members would not know, we look for common ground: bands or songs that share a similar feel, tempo, or energy. The goal is always a setlist where everyone in the band is genuinely enthusiastic about what they are playing.

What does it cost?

£799 per term. That covers 12 weekly 2-hour rehearsal sessions at a professional practice studio in Central London, a dedicated band director for the full term, and the final live show. No hidden extras.

How to get started

Book a Meet & Greet. Bring your list of 5 songs. The conversation starts there.