Beats.Freer
Ben Freer playing bongos beside the DJ booth, a dancefloor and saxophonist behind him

Live percussion · alongside your DJI amplify whatever they play.

Bongos and percussion over your DJ’s set. Weddings, private events, corporate nights, festivals. Based in Leeds. UK and abroad.

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What I actually do

I don’t replace your DJ. My performance relies on them.

I play on top of what’s already happening: listening for the build, landing the drop, stepping back when the track needs room.

Ben shouting mid-hit on bongos under red stage light, with a saxophonist playing behind him
Set 3 of 4With sax

What you’re booking

One offer, two set-ups.

Your DJ
+ me

The standard set-up. Your DJ is essential.

Ben playing bongos and shouting along in front of a DJ's LED screen

DJ + sax
+ me

If you’ve booked a sax, we play off each other.

A saxophonist playing in the foreground with Ben behind him on bongos, stick raised, under blue light and haze

A typical night

2 hours
4 × 15Peaks, not background.

  1. Set 122:00 – 22:15
  2. Set 222:30 – 22:45
  3. Set 323:00 – 23:15
  4. Set 423:30 – 23:45out in 10 min

Sets are timed to the night’s peaks, not the clock. The bongos are strapped on, so I move around the room, close to the guests, or stay in one spot if the venue needs it. As long as I can hear the music.

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Wedding · on the dancefloor

Bongos strapped on, out with the guests while the DJ keeps the floor going.

Soundcheck · before doors

An empty floor at a corporate night, an hour before guests. Once it fills up, I play right across it.

Close up

What it actually sounds like next to the speakers.

More footage →

Where I play

  • Weddings

    Usually the evening and after-party: house, Ibiza, dance classics. Your DJ keeps the floor, I give it something to face.

  • Private events

    Birthdays, anniversaries, parties at home or in a venue. Same set-up: your DJ, and me on top.

  • Corporate

    Awards nights, launches and company parties. Easy for the event team: one plug socket, one cable into the desk.

  • Festivals

    Stages and bars that want a live player in front of the DJ.

On the day

Easy to have around.

An empty stage and chequered dancefloor under moving lights, before guests arrive
before doors
I need
1 plug socket. 1 jack or XLR into the DJ’s desk or PA.
Arrive
30–60 minutes before the first set.
Set up
Under 5 minutes. No stage needed.
Your DJ
Just let them know I’m coming. No extra prep needed.
Pack down
Gone within 10 minutes of the last set.
Travel
Based in Leeds. UK and abroad.

Can you play without a DJ?

My performance relies on them. I amplify whatever they play.

Need a DJ or a sax? I can recommend people I play with.

Drummer first

I’ve played drums since I was 10.

Self-taught, by putting on my favourite songs and feeling my way through. Bongos came later. I still play kit, including with The Dunwells.

About me →

Check a date.

Send me

  • Date
  • Venue and town
  • Whether a DJ (and sax) is booked, and who
  • Rough timings for the night
  • Type of event and number of guests

Then

  1. I check the date.
  2. You get a quote.
  3. A deposit secures the date.
  4. I confirm all the details back to you.
Enquire about a booking

Some dates are booked two years out, so the sooner the better.