The Best Soul & Motown Wedding Bands & DJs in Evanston, IL

We began with a simple yet powerful vision: to revolutionize the way people experience events. Our journey started with a group of passionate individuals who shared a love for music, creativity, and making people happy. Today, we stand proud as a full-service company, specializing in DJ services, live music, photo booths, photography, videography, and state-of-the-art audio and stage equipment.

THE FUNK ALMIGHTY EXPERIENCE: 1.) Concert-Level Musicianship — our musicians have toured with legends such as Justin Timberlake, Pink, Janet Jackson and more. 2.) A Consistent, World-Class Band — not a rotating roster. The same trusted team of IU Jacobs School of Music alumni at every event. 3.) All Generations on the Dance Floor — yes, even Grandma! 4.) A Worry-Free, Seamless Experience. 5.) A Customized Evening Tailored to Your Vision. 6.) Professionalism, Groove, and Memories that Last a Lifetime.

Louis Pettinelli Entertainment is a musical entertainment company that offers an unrivaled musical experience for clients around the country. We currently service over 25 metropolitan areas throughout the lower 48, and provide musical entertainment for hundreds of events every year. Our past clients include The United Nations, Lockheed Martin, Nationwide Auto Insurance, The Shell Oil Corporation, and many more. No event is too small or large for us. Louis Pettinelli Entertainment has musical ensembles that range from a soloist to a 15 piece party band, and everything in between!

Woman owned, Chicago based mobile DJ company. We wanna be your best friend on your best day! Personable, professional, and music obsessed, we are here for whatever genre, whatever vibe, just plain whatever you are looking for!

DJ Dez (Desmond Thomas) is a Chicago-based open-format groove master specializing in high-vibration wedding experiences. With nearly three decades behind the decks and over 2,000 events performed, Dez brings refined musical sophistication, smooth event flow management, and polished MC presence to every celebration. Known for his intuitive ability to read a room and elevate it, Dez carefully crafts each moment — from ceremony to cocktail hour to high-energy reception — ensuring the soundtrack evolves naturally and flawlessly. His approach blends precision with personality, making a groove that feels effortless yet unforgettable.

Founded by Ken Arlen, Arlen Music is a Chicago-based entertainment company that specializes in providing live customized music for special events. Winner of the 2015-2019 Best Band by Make It Better Magazine, Arlen Music is recognized as the leader and trendsetter within the Chicago special event industry. Its premier band, the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, has also developed a nationwide presence with performances ranging from New Year’s Eve at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, to the Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.

DRS Music Inc is a complete, all-inclusive live music company dedicated to celebrating YOU! We provide all the music for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Our 8, 11, or 14-Piece Orchestra will pack your dance floor. Guests will be talking about your wedding for years! Our packages include: 1. Designated MC to handle announcements/introductions 2. Unlimited Song Requests 3. DJ for band breaks 4. State of the art sound system 5. Stage lighting 6. Free, personalized gift for your guests to sign 7. Customizable schedule 8. Complete peace of mind We have 25 years of giving couples like you unforgettable weddings. We celebrate YOU!

Nicky Avalo Studios (N.A.S.) is known for elevating the expectation and experience at every wedding, corporate, and private event all across the Midwest & the U.S. We have branches in cities such as; Omaha, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Chicago, and more. We offer services such as; DJ’s, Photo Booths, Videography, Photography, and Live Musicians (consisting of string quartet, harpist, violinist, cellist, and pianist) for every type of event. Our mission is to provide a unique and memorable experience to every client and every event we do.

We're live music experts, wedding enthusiasts, and party starters, infusing every event with energy and full dance floors. We're here to make your wedding the greatest party of your life! The Bluewater Kings are a premium, customizable 3 to 14 piece band specializing in high-energy music–at a sensible price. Our talented and professional musicians have performed regularly with touring and recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Cher, Miranda Lambert, Ray LaMontagne, Prince, Shakira, Chicago and Tony Bennett, as well as working and touring with numerous Broadway shows.

Luniks Entertainment specializes in tailoring music to align with your individual style and musical preferences, ensuring that our DJs adeptly gauge the atmosphere to encourage your guests to engage and enjoy. Our comprehensive Wedding DJ packages encompass up to 5 hours of music within the same room/space, featuring an extensive library of songs. Prior to your significant day, we engage in thorough consultations to align with your vision, discussing the timeline and curating a playlist for key moments. Leveraging various planning forms, we strive to orchestrate a seamless and memorable experience for your special day.

Toast & Jam DJs specialize in making people dance by working closely with our clients to create customized playlists that reflect their tastes. We reject line dances, props, and other gimmicks in favor of perfectly planned and well-timed soundtracks that appeal to every partygoer. That means no Hokey Pokey and no Chicken Dance. At Toast & Jam, we believe that a thoughtful mix of pop favorites, hip-hop bootyshakers, Motown classics, and timeless standards are fun and self-respecting alternative to those embarrassing and played-out dancefloor clichés.

BLK Soldier DJ Services is an all-in-one wedding entertainment. Serving Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and across the states. As a collective we make it our mission to curate the best vibes at wedding receptions. Over a decade of experience heightens our abilities to create an energetic performance with the DJ and MC. Experience includes: radio show, 360 photo booth, light tech and music event planning. The versatile talent matches the vision of every occasion with the right vibes.

Okyne Medialab is a contemporary wedding DJ business based in Austin, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. This entertainment company strives to bring a fresh perspective to the DJ industry. While still taking the lead on the night, these DJs will remain true to your vision and expectations.

Based in the vibrant heart of the Midwest (Chicago, Illinois) Crimson Events is the premier source for mobile entertainment in the private events industry. With over 20 years in the spotlight, we've earned a reputation as trusted, professional, and seasoned party experts, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for your special occasions. From live musicians to top-tier DJs, professional audio setups to awe-inspiring special effects lighting, cutting-edge photo booths and custom music edits – we've got you covered.

Piotrowski Strings is proud to offer premier musicians for any event! Owner and violinist Anna Piotrowski expanded in 2024 to include a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals to serve more clients with the same quality, style, and service she is known for. Anna has performed with Kygo, Sigur Ros, Bailen, Moein and for other events for Tom Schwartz of Vanderpump Rules and Married At First Sight's Dr. Pia's wedding! She looks forward to working with you on your vision!

The name Funktastic is more than a genre of music - it’s a tight-knit family of stellar talent with a finely and meticulously curated repertoire spanning every style of music. 6-15 Piece Bands, Live DJ Hybrids, Photo Booths, and more, Funktastic is reserved for those who have a refined musical taste and need for having the best night of their lives. A collection of Chicago's finest black voices, musical authenticity comes from within the music. Musical authenticity comes from what's within the music. By tributing legendary artists with inclusion and diversity, we help preserve the African-American art form of Motown, Hiphop, Pop, and more!

Hi, I’m Trevor Harris, founder and DJ at Total Harmony Entertainment. I truly love helping couples turn their vision into a celebration they’ll never forget. Your DJ should do more than play music, they should create energy, guide the flow, and make every moment feel effortless. From planning to the last dance, I work closely with you to keep things seamless and stress-free, delivering custom playlists, packed dance floors, and an experience that’s personal, polished, and unforgettable.

At Cage + Aquarium, we exist to tell your story. With 18 years and 5,000+ happy clients, we blend music, photography, and film to turn life’s biggest events into unforgettable stories.  We are a modern media brand of storytellers—creating your epic dance floors, stunning images frozen-in-time and cinematic memories that live forever.

DJ Persist has been involved in the music industry since the age of 17 and has been doing what he loves for the past 18 years. He had held several nightclub residencies in the city of Chicago, an experience that enhances his performance at weddings. Today, DJ Persist has expanded his services to include A/V and Photo Booth services to become a well-known, award winning company. DJ Persist strives to give you the best in customer service by listening to your needs to provide for you an unforgettable event!

REAL MUSICIANS. REAL MUSIC. STRESS FREE. We provide music and entertainment for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, dinners and the dancing portions of receptions. From East Coast/New York Style weddings to Midwestern style weddings, we've got you covered!

DJ Adrian Esparza is a versatile and experienced DJ who specializes in weddings. He has over 15 years of experience and has entertained weddings of all sizes, from small intimate gatherings to large-scale events. He is known for his boutique hospitality and ability to read the crowd and keep the party going all night long. Adrian is passionate about creating a unique and memorable experience for his clients. He takes the time to get to know each couple, so he can tailor the music to their perfect day. If you are looking for a DJ who can create a truly unforgettable wedding experience, then DJ Adrian Esparza is the perfect choice for you.

We bring high-energy entertainment to weddings, corporate events, and celebrations across Chicago, featuring professional DJ services, vibrant lighting, and interactive photo booth experiences guests can’t get enough of. Every detail is curated to keep your event unforgettable from the first song to the final dance.

WE are Chicago area's grooviest inclusive, female-owned DJ boutique! Our hand picked DJs curate a playlist that will reflect your unique style and get all your guests on the dance floor! We believe that love is love

Make your wedding more than just an event - make it an unforgettable experience. I offer customized services tailored to your venue, style, and preferences. I want you to have the wedding reception of your dreams because this is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. So, dream big, think creatively, demand excellence, stay true to yourselves, and be unique. Together, we'll create a celebration that exceeds all expectations. My approach is all about redefining wedding entertainment, exceeding expectations, and creating a personalized and unforgettable celebration for each couple I work with.

Party Vibe Online is a unique, online-based DJ, lighting, and photo booth company from Chicago with over 20 years of experience. All of our performers DJ clubs as well as weddings meaning you can trust that your DJ will emcee with finesse and elegance and mix music in a way your guests will never forget! For a real party, you need a real DJ. Party Vibe Online has a vast music library that includes songs from every genre, including, but not limited to, EDM, hip hop, indie, golden oldies, and more. Their 'Digital Planning Suite' allows you to submit music of any genre for every major event with helpful recommendations along the way.

Dancetrax is committed to creating the most beautiful & fun event possible for you and your guests. Along with providing Wedding DJ services, we are also event planners that help Brides & Grooms plan every facet of their wedding. Regarding music, we are open to your music choices and suggestions and we are very good at reading the crowd which always keeps the dancefloor packed. If you choose Dancetrax, your event will be what you expect... professional, beautiful, and most importantly fun.

An Enchanted Evening is a full time wedding entertainment company serving the Chicago area. We offer DJ/MC services, photo booth and lighting services. We have been in the wedding industry for over 20 years and have performed at over 6,000 weddings. We do 300 weddings each year and have 12 experienced DJs who serve as MCs and lead announcements and activities throughout the reception. Our DJ package is all-inclusive and Weddings are not time-limited, so your guests can dance all through the night. Our package also includes professional sound equipment with on-site backup equipment and an on-call back up DJ in case anything should go wrong.

As a professional DJ and MC with over 30 years of experience, I bring a passion for music and a personal approach to every wedding. I mix live, take your requests, and play to the audience to create a celebration that feels tasteful, fun, and uniquely yours. Your wedding is a once in a lifetime celebration, and the music should feel just as special. I do not just press play on a playlist. I read the room and shape the energy of your night in real time, keeping the dance floor packed and creating the perfect atmosphere for every moment, from your first dance to the last song.

Pueblo Events is a professional Event/DJ company that can make your wedding in Chicago, Los Angeles and beyond a party to remember. Our event hosts/DJ's understand the importance of creating an electric environment and keeping the celebration going. Did we mention our event hosts love to make people dance? Our number one goal is to make sure you, your fiancé, and your guests have a spectacular time celebrating your love/marriage. Pueblo Events also provides interactive photo booths, 360 video booths, and other experiences that will make your events truly memorable for you and your guest!

Let me start out by saying that I love DJ Firm with all my heart and soul. I truly have a passion for this company and making every event special in its own way. I was influenced by DJ culture early and my dad gave me opportunities to mix records at the early age of 8. I played my first party when I was 13 at a middle school called Heaven in Evanston, IL. My goal, along with my values is to always ensure that The DJ Firm provides the best talent and service an entertainment company has to offer. We have a great group of individuals and I can wait for you to meet them and me. Let’s connect.