Indianapolis & Central Indiana

Live Music for Private Parties in Indianapolis

Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday, a backyard gathering, an anniversary, or just want to throw a great party β€” live acoustic music turns a good night into one people talk about for years.

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Who We Are

Indianapolis Acoustic Musicians for Private Events

We're Todd and Leah Severson, a husband-and-wife acoustic duo based in Carmel, Indiana. We've been performing throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana for years, and private parties are some of our favorite events to play. There's something special about being part of a personal celebration β€” the energy is different, the guests are engaged, and the music means something.

We're easygoing, professional, and genuinely fun to have at a party. We show up, set up, and take care of the music so you can actually enjoy your own event.

We Play At

Private Parties We Play in Indianapolis & Central Indiana

From intimate backyard gatherings to milestone celebrations, we bring the right energy to every private event. Here are just a few of the occasions we regularly perform at:

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Milestone Birthdays

40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and beyond. Live music makes a milestone feel like one. Give the guest of honor something they'll remember.

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Anniversary Parties

Celebrate years together with music that means something. Live acoustic sets the perfect mood for a meaningful evening.

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Backyard Gatherings

We bring our own equipment. No venue needed. Just a flat surface, power, and good company.

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Graduation Parties

Send them off right with great live music. A celebration this big deserves more than a Spotify playlist.

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Retirement Parties

A big milestone deserves live music. We help you celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

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Family Reunions

Music that spans generations. Our catalog has something for everyone from your 8-year-old to your 80-year-old.

Why Live Music

Why Live Music Makes Your Party Better

Anyone can make a playlist. Live music is something different. Here's why more people in Indianapolis are choosing a live acoustic duo for their private events:

  • βœ“It's a talking point. Guests notice live music immediately. It's an instant conversation starter and gives your party a personality that a speaker in the corner simply can't match.
  • βœ“It sets the mood without taking over. We play at the right volume for the moment β€” relaxed background music during dinner, a little more energy as the night picks up.
  • βœ“It's personal. Unlike a playlist, we respond to the room. If something is landing, we lean into it. If the energy shifts, we shift with it.
  • βœ“It's affordable. As a duo, we're significantly less expensive than a full band β€” without sacrificing the warmth and energy of live music.
  • βœ“It's effortless for you. We handle everything β€” equipment, setup, breakdown. You just focus on your guests and enjoy your own party.

Backyard & Home Events

Perfect for Backyard Parties & Home Events

One of the things we love most is playing at private homes and backyard events. We're an acoustic duo with our own PA system, so we don't need a stage, a venue sound system, or anything special from you. A flat surface, access to power, and 8x8 feet of space is all we need.

We've played patios, decks, garages, and living rooms all across Indianapolis and Central Indiana β€” and we always make it work. If you're hosting at home and want live music without the hassle of renting a venue, we're the perfect fit.

The Music

A Song List That Works for Every Crowd

Private parties bring together guests of all ages β€” and our catalog reflects that. We play songs people actually know and love, spanning decades and genres. Your 65-year-old aunt and your 30-year-old nephew will both find something they recognize. No awkward silences, no songs nobody knows. Just great music that fits the room.

Classic Rock Pop Country Soul & R&B Folk Americana

Artists we cover include: The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, Bill Withers, John Denver, Tracy Chapman, Paul Simon, The Lumineers, Zac Brown Band, Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift, George Michael, Lake Street Dive, Ray LaMontagne, Cyndi Lauper, and many more.

Where We Are

Serving Indianapolis, Carmel & All of Central Indiana

We're based in Carmel and perform throughout the greater Indianapolis area and Central Indiana. Backyard in Carmel? Living room in Noblesville? Patio in Zionsville? We know this area well and we're happy to be there.

Areas we serve include Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, Greenwood, and surrounding communities.

Todd and Leah Severson - Forget the Name acoustic duo Indianapolis private party musicians

About Us

Todd & Leah β€” Your Indianapolis Private Party Musicians

We're real people, not a booking agency. We live right here in Carmel, we've been part of this community for nearly 30 years, and we genuinely love what we do. When you hire us for your private party, you're getting two people who care about making your event great β€” not just showing up and playing through a set list.

We're easy to communicate with, flexible, and fun to have around. We fit in with your guests, not like a hired act performing at a distance. More than once we've been told we felt like part of the party β€” and that's exactly what we're going for.

When you book us, you deal directly with us. No middleman, no surprises. Just Todd and Leah, ready to make your party one to remember.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Live Music for a Private Party

It depends on the size of the act and how long they perform. Full bands with multiple musicians can cost anywhere from ,500 to ,000 or more for a private event. As an acoustic duo, we're a much more affordable option β€” without giving up the warmth and energy that live music brings. We're happy to provide a custom quote based on your event details. Just reach out and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

We recommend booking at least 3–4 weeks in advance for most private events. For parties planned around holidays or peak summer weekends, earlier is always better. That said, if your date is coming up, reach out anyway β€” if we're available, we'll make it work.

Look for someone whose musical style matches the vibe you want to create. Make sure they're responsive, professional, and easy to communicate with. Listen to samples of their music before you commit, read any available reviews, and always get a signed contract. For private parties especially, personality matters β€” you want someone who's going to fit in with your guests, not feel like a stranger in the room.

Absolutely. We encourage hosts to share must-play songs in advance. If there's a song that's meaningful to you or that you know your crowd will love, let us know. We'll do our best to include it. We also take requests on the night from our existing catalog.

Both have their place β€” but live music creates something a playlist simply can't. There's an energy and presence to live performance that guests notice immediately, even if they can't put their finger on why. It gives your party a personality, creates natural conversation, and makes the whole event feel more intentional and special. For milestone events especially, live music is always worth it.

Yes β€” this is one of our specialties. We bring our own professional PA system and can set up almost anywhere outdoors. All we need is a flat surface, access to power, and about 8x8 feet of space. We've performed at backyard parties, deck gatherings, garden parties, and more throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana.

Most private parties work well with 2–3 hours of live music, performed in sets with short breaks in between. We'll work with you to build a schedule that fits the flow of your event β€” whether that's background music during dinner or a longer evening of entertainment.

Yes, always. We bring our own professional PA system, microphones, and all necessary cables and gear. You don't need to rent anything or coordinate with a venue. We handle setup and breakdown so you can focus on your guests.

Not much at all. We're an acoustic duo, so roughly 8x8 feet is plenty. We can fit in corners, on patios, in living rooms, or wherever works best for your space.

We take every booking seriously and have never missed a performance. In the rare event of a true emergency, we would contact you immediately and do everything in our power to find a solution β€” including connecting you with trusted musicians in our network. We always provide a signed contract that protects both parties and outlines what happens in the event of a cancellation.

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