Welcome to Loveguitar
Wedding guitarist performing beautifully crafted solo arrangements of romantic and feel-good songs. Ideal for weddings, dinners, restaurants and galas.
Based around Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and the North West but happy to travel UK wide.
About
"Rob is an incredibly talented guitarist. His range of songs is fantastic and the perfect music for our wedding. He is professional and set up quickly and without any hassle. I would definitely hire him again to do other event! What a star!"
Love Guitar is a modern update on the traditional classical guitarist - ideal for weddings, dinner parties, corporate events, restaurants and many other settings. The repertoire consists of modern and classic pop songs played instrumentally, with options of movie/musical tunes and vintage jazz too. The focus is firmly on romantic and feel-good hits including tunes by artists such as Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, John Legend, Queen, Madness, Foo Fighters, Spice Girls, McFly and many more!
Arrangements are perfectly suited to creating a lovely backdrop. They are unobtrusive and equally suited for listening attentively to or sitting in the background as guests chat.
Medley of 'Perfect', 'I Wanna Be Like You' and 'One Day Like This' by Ed Sheeran, Jungle Book and Elbow
The essential element of this type of instrumental performance is a full repertoire of ballads. Romantic love songs creating a relaxed, sentimental mood as guests settle before a wedding ceremony, sip champagne in a drinks reception or sit and chat through a dinner party. My repertoire has favourites such as 'All of Me' by John Legend, 'Time After Time' by Cyndie Lauper, 'Your Song' by Elton John, 'Pefect' by Ed Sheeran and many more.
However guests can appreciate a little variety too. I also offer plenty of up-tempo and feel-good songs and enjoy putting together 'cheeky' arrangements. Quirky songs not necessarily expected in this style. These can be great peppered in-between the ballads to create a dynamic, interesting set – perfect for drinks receptions and dinners. Also ideal if you want a more leftfield choice for walking down the aisle or exiting the ceremony. Some examples include 'You Got a Friend in Me' from Toy Story, 'I Wanna Be Like You' from the Jungle Book, 'I'm a Believer', 'Bang, Bang' by Jessie J, ‘Get Lucky’ and even 'Mr Blue Sky' amongst many others.
As well as a repertoire of well-loved songs to choose from, I offer the option of learning an additional song of your choice free of charge. Maybe there is a special song you would like played at your event or to walk down the aisle to?
I am based around the North-West and regard Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside as my 'home' counties, but I take bookings from all over the country. This is subject to an additional travel charge, based on the distance. However, because you are booking directly with a musician and avoiding agency fees it helps keep prices competitive even with travel fee added.
Equipment - in addition to the obvious guitar - consists of a single powered speaker on a stand. This is loud enough to be heard in any environment I'm likely to be booked for, but simple to set up and transport. This means it is no trouble to move to different areas or venues between sets. All I need from the venue is a chair without arms and a plug socket. I have Public Liability Insurance and PAT Test certification for my equipment too should this be required by the venue.
Please have a wonder around the site and email me at rob@robshawguitar.com should you have any questions.
If you'd like to see testimonials from previous happy clients, you can link to the testimonials page here or from the menu at the top.
Weddings
Weddings are central to what I do and something I have plenty of experience of. If you're unsure of how a wedding guitarist might add to your day the following page might help.
The main parts of the day for a wedding guitarist are the ceremony, the drinks reception and wedding breakfast (ie. the main late afternoon meal).
Ceremony
I usually play for 30 minutes before the ceremony starts to set the mood as guests settle. I then perform the bridal entrance song – this is often a special request song for the bride and groom. As a wedding guitarist this piece is the most important responsibility and something I’m always keen to do well.
There is a point in the ceremony where the couple are signing the register and the registrar asks guest to quietly chat amongst themselves before taking a some photos of the signing - I play some music in the background here, typically 2 - 3 songs. Finally I perform a song to accompany the newly-wed bride and groom and their guests exit the ceremony. None of these points are obligatory, so if there is anything you want to do differently just ask.
Drinks Reception
Loveguitar is ideal for providing a nice backdrop as guests mingle, sip champagne and tuck into canapés. I have options on the booking page for a 60 minute set here, or for the full drinks reception (typically around 90 minutes or so).
Wedding Breakfast
The wedding breakfast is the main meal and music can work nicely here as guests chat whilst dining. I usually start playing from when guests enter the dining area and play through. Again I offer the option of playing for 60 mins, or for the full meal up to the speeches (typically 90mins to 2 hours).
There a numerous packages in the booking page to cover most eventualities. 2 sets is a common option but some clients book 1 or 3. Though the above represent typical parts of the day to play in I am happy to work in with whatever plans you have for the day. For example I have sometimes been booked to play for an hour early evening while the main room is being turned around. If you want something different don’t hesitate to ask.
If you want me to play one part of the day in one area then the next in a different room I am happy to move my equipment. However please be aware that there is only one of me – I can do this a lot quicker than a band(!) but it does take a little time to move and set back up again.
If you have any queries whatsoever of how I can work in with your plans for your special day please just send an email and I’d be happy to discuss it.
Other Events
Loveguitar is well suited to providing background music to many types of occasions. Common examples include corporate events, dinner parties, family gatherings, restaurants, gala’s, charity events, birthday dinners etc. If you are looking for some thumping loud dance music to get everyone on the floor then this is certainly not the ticket. But it is perfect for any environment where you want familiar tunes played in an inobtrusive styles while guests to mingle and chat.
On the booking page there are options in 60 minute sets. If this length doesn’t suit your event I am happy to organise the equivalent playing time into different set lengths, whatever is necessary to make your event run how you want it to.
Repertoire
Contemporary
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
The Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
One Day Like This - Elbow
All of Me - John Legend
Umbrella - Rihanna
All About You - McFly
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
One Kiss - Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Hold My Hand - Jess Glynn
Greatest Day - Take That
Bang Bang - Jessie J
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Something Just Like This - Chainsmokers & Coldplay
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Counting Stars - One Republic
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Just You and I - Tom Walker
Dance Monkey - Tones and I
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Lover – Taylor Swift
To Feel My Love – Adele/Bob Dylan
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Classic
Time After Time - Cyndie Lauper
It Must be Love - Madness
You're My Best Friend - Queen
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Your Song - Elton John
When You Say Nothing at All - Ronan Keating
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Endless Love - Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey
All You Need is Love - The Beatles
All My Loving - The Beatles
Sally Cinnamon - The Stone Roses
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
I'm a Believer - The Monkees
Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye
I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Close to You - The Carpenters
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
2 Become 1 - Spice Girls
Never Had a Dream Come True - S Club 7
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Mmm Bop - Hanson
Mr Blue Sky - E.L.O
Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
Here Come the Sun - The Beatles
Here, There and Everywhere - The Beatles
Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
In My Life - The Beatles
Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns n' Roses
In My Life – The Beatles
My Girl – The Temptations
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
Film, TV & Musicals
You've Got a Friend in Me - Toy Story
A Million Dreams - The Greatest Showman
Pure Imagination - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
I'll Be There for You - Friends/The Rembrandts
Let It Go - Idina Menzel/ Frozen
Harry Potter Theme
Beauty and the Beast (Tale as Old as Time)
I Wanna Be Like You - The Jungle Book
We Have All the Time in the World – Lois Armstrong
Nobody Does it Better – Carly Simon
Baby Shark
Bluey Theme Tune
Vintage & Classical
Pachelbel's Cannon in D
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
When I Fall In Love - Nat King Cole
Bring Me Sunshine - Morecomb and Wise
As Time Goes By - Frank Sinatra
At Last - Etta James
Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller
I Can't Help Falling in Love with You - Elvis
Misty - Errol Garner
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Boccelli
Nessun Dorma – Puccini /Pavarotti
Dream a Little Dream of Me - Various
Videos
Medley of 'Perfect', 'I Wanna Be Like You'
& One Day Like This'
Time After Time - Cyndie Lauper
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
A Thousand Years (from Twilight) - Christina Perri
Fly Me to the Moon -
Frank Sinatra
'You've Got a Friend in Me'
- Toy Story
'All About You' - McFly
'All I Want for Christmas is You' - Mariah Carey
All of Me - John Legend
'Everlong' - Foo Fighters
'Bang, Bang' - Jessie J, Ariane Grande & Nicki Minage
'One Kiss'
- Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
'It Must Be Love' - Madness
'I'm a Believer' - The Monkees
'Pure Imagination' -
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
'Shape of You' - Ed Sheeran
'You're My Best Friend' - Queen
'Umbrella' - Rihanna
'Sexual Healing' - Marvin Gaye
'I Could Be the One '
- Avicii vs Nicky Romero
Booking
The following is an outline of prices for performances in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. I take bookings for anywhere in the UK, with the addition of a travel fee - please email for a quote.
There are numerous options presented. However, if they don't quite fit what you have in mind simply get in touch with your requirements and we can take it from there.
2 Sets
Standard:
-
2 x 60 min Sets (or similar equivalent)
-
Wedding Ceremony* + 60 min Drinks Reception Set
-
60 min Drinks Reception and 60 min Wedding Breakfast (meal)
-
Wedding Ceremony* + 60 min Wedding Breakfast (Meal)
-
2 x 60 min sets with a large gap inbetween
£250
£275
Extended:
-
1 x 60 min + 1 x 90 min (or similar equivalent)
-
Wedding Ceremony + Full Drinks Reception Set
-
60 min Drinks Reception + Full Wedding Breakfast** (meal)
-
Wedding Ceremony + Full Wedding Breakfast** (Meal)
-
1 x 60 min + 1 x 90 min Sets with a large gap inbetween
£280
£300
1 Set
Please note that the price for 1 set is not significantly cheaper than 2 as it still incurs much of the same basic responsibilities ie travelling, setting up and booking out a similar block of time in the day.
Standard:
-
1 x 60 min Set
-
Wedding Ceremony* Only
-
1 x 60 min Drinks Reception Set
-
1 x 60 min Wedding Breakfast (meal) Set
£210
-
1 x 90 min set
-
1 x Full Drinks Reception Set
-
1 x Full Wedding Breakfast (meal)** Set
Extended:
£230
3 Sets
Standard:
-
3 x 60 min sets (or similar equivalent)
-
Wedding Ceremony + 60 min Drinks Reception Set + 60 min Wedding Breakfast (meal)
£300
The Wedding Full Monty
-
Wedding Ceremony + Full Drinks Reception + Full Wedding Breakfast (meal)**
£340
* Wedding Ceremony
A Wedding Ceremony set includes playing for 30 mins before the start as guests settle, performing the Bridal entrance music, playing during the signing of the register and performing the exit song.
** Wedding Breakfast (Meal)
A Full Wedding Breakfast performance includes playing from when the guests enter until the start of speeches.
The Booking Process
The booking process is very simple. Please email me at rob@robshawguitar.com with details of your event and I can confirm availability, answer queries and provide a quote.
If you would like to proceed I will ask for a 20% deposit to secure the booking. Upon receipt I send a booking confirmation. I will ask you to have a think about any songs from my repertoire you specifically want included/excluded from the set. You are also welcome to choose a special song not in the list that you would like me to arrange for you.
Between booking and the event I'm happy to respond to any queries you may have. I then get in touch a month before the event to confirm all arrangements, timings and song choices.
On the day I usually turn up at least an hour before I am due to start playing, giving plenty of time to set up and change.
The balance can be paid to me as cash on the day, of the event, or by direct banking the day before.
When you book via Loveguitar, you are making a direct booking with a working musician. There are no agency/third party costs involved. This allows the price to be lower for the client whilst also making sure that everything paid goes direct to the musician playing at your event.
Care Home Guitar
I am pleased to offer a Care Home version of the Loveguitar set - with beautifully crafted instrumental guitar arrangements of tunes from the 1930’s to the 1970’s. This incorporates Swing and American Songbook, Rock ‘n’ Roll and the swinging 60’s, covering a substantial timespan when most residents were children and young adults.
Musical arrangements are gentle, relaxing and non-evasive. They are interesting enough to fully listen to and watch, or just enjoy in the background.
Some performance videos:
Vintage Song Medley
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Repertoire for Care Homes
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
When I Fall In Love - Nat King Cole
As Time Goes By - Frank Sinatra
Misty – Errol Garner
Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller
Dream a Little Dream of Me - Various
Young at Heart - Frank Sinatra
That's Amore - Dean Martin
I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley
Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and his Comets
Everyday – Buddy Holly
At Last - Etta James
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
My Girl – The Temptations
Raindrops Keen Fallin’ On My Head - BJ Thomas
We Have All the Time in the World - Louis Armstrong
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
I'm a Believer - The Monkees
All You Need is Love - The Beatles
Your Song - Elton John
Close to You – The Carpenters
Nobody Does it Better – Carly Simon
Bring Me Sunshine - Morecomb and Wise
Can't Take Me Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
The set-up for Care Home performances is quite simple – one guitarist, guitar, small acoustic amp and music stand. This makes it practical and easy to set up and take down with minimal disruption to residents and I am able to perform in relatively small spaces.
The set is based around the idea of one 60-minute performance. The price is reduced to suit care home budgets and be competitive with other care home performers. Please contact for a quote, or if you have any questions whatsoever:
About Me
I graduated from the University of Salford with a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Popular Music and Recording, and since then have continued to work as a performing musician and guitar tutor.
I've always had a varied taste in music which led me to playing many styles - rock, pop, indie, blues, classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal and more. I enjoy the fact that these diverse styles of music have much in common, and a lot of the fundamentals of being a good guitarist and musician carry across the genres.
It is this approach that I like to bring to Loveguitar, using the fingerstyle techniques of classical and folk guitar and the orchestral approach of putting together multiple lines of music, but applying these to modern and classic popular songs. My wide appreciation of music allows me to invest into and enjoy all the songs I play.
As well as playing solo as Loveguitar, I performed at many weddings and dinners over 10 years as one half of a vocal/guitar acoustic jazz duo. I also get to play wedding receptions in a very different style as a stand-in 'dep' guitarist for function bands - allowing me to plug in the electric and play a mix of party songs and indie-rock from Taylor Swift to Guns 'n' Roses.
In addition to playing live I work as a guitar tutor. This includes teaching in secondary and primary schools and tutoring a roster of private students.