One Man Band – Bay of Islands

One-Man Band

Big sound. One performer. Endless good vibes.

Dubbed the “Ed Sheeran of Northland” by MoreFM’s John, Flash & Toast breakfast show, Eric Thomas crafts groove-based solo performances using live looping, vocals, guitar, and percussion — all performed live. A feel-good one-man show perfect for weddings, receptions, and parties across the Bay of Islands.

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See Me In Action

Love Yourself – Justin Bieber

Bloom – Paper Kites

Love Yourself – Justin Bieber

Bloom – Paper Kites

Song List

Biography

Eric Thomas is a one man band based in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, known for delivering dynamic, full-sounding solo performances using live looping, guitar, vocals, and percussion. Dubbed the “Ed Sheeran of Northland” by MoreFM’s John, Flash & Toast breakfast show, Eric brings energy, skill, and heart to every event.

Originally from South Africa, Eric earned his stripes as a session guitarist and backing vocalist with platinum-selling artists Jesse Clegg and Robbie Wessels, and as founding guitarist of progressive metal band Red Helen. Career highlights include supporting Daughtry in front of 8,000 fans, performing at Wacken Open Air to over 20,000, and appearing on national television during Miss South Africa.

Now based in Paihia, Eric brings world-class experience to weddings and events across Northland. As a seasoned one man band in the Bay of Islands, he blends soulful vocals, expressive guitar work, and rhythmic layering to create a sound that’s both laid-back and danceable—perfect for ceremonies, canapés, receptions, and private parties.

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a lively celebration, Eric Thomas delivers a solo performance that feels polished, personal, and unforgettable.

“There’s a thrill in layering sound live — every loop, every beat is a moment you can’t fake.”
— Tash Sultana (paraphrased from various interviews)

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Where are you based?

I’m based in Paihia and play gigs mostly around the Bay of Islands but not exclusively.

How far are you willing to travel?

I don’t have a particular limit on this. I charge a mileage fee for locations 30km+ away and an accommodation fee for locations 100km+ away (or ask that accommodation be provided).

What styles of music do you play?

This varies depending on whether I’m performing solo acoustic, one-man band, or with the party band:
• Solo Acoustic—laid-back Folk, Pop, Rock, and Singer-Songwriter classics. Think Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, Paper Kites, and Oasis.
• One-man band—cruisy Blues, light Rock, modern Pop, and a few nostalgic throwbacks. Think John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Styles, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Party band—high-energy singalongs, Rock ‘n Roll hits, and crowd-pleasing dance tunes. Think Elvis Presley, Dua Lipa, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Killers.

Do you provide your own sound equipment?

Yes—I bring all the gear needed for most indoor venues with nearby power outlets.
If your event has specific needs—like a battery-powered speaker for a remote ceremony, a larger system for a big outdoor space, or even just an extra-long extension cord—just let me know in advance. I can usually make it work, but additional equipment may incur a small extra charge if I need to hire anything in.

Can you perform solo, or do you offer band options too?

I have three options available: 1) solo acoustic; 2) one-man band; or 3) party band. Please see the live music options on my website for more details about each.

How long do you usually perform for?

The standard set is 3 hours, which works well for most receptions, restaurant gigs, and private parties.
That said, I’m flexible—I can perform anywhere from 1 to 5 hours, depending on your event. Pricing will be adjusted based on the duration.

Do you have public performances where I can come see you live?

Absolutely! Just navigate to Gigs page or the Home page to view all my upcoming gigs—most of them are in Bay Of Islands and are free to attend.

Can I request specific songs?

Myself and/or the band can learn one special-request song (meaning a song that’s not in our repertoire) for your event at no cost. Beyond that, I/we charge $30-$60 per additional special-request song.
Be sure to check out my repertoires listed on each page of my Live Music Options (each music setting has a slightly different repertoire).

Where can I see your repertoire?

My repertoires are listed on each page of my Live Music Options. Each music option/setting has a slightly different repertoire—e.g. my solo acoustic set will have laid-back atmospheric songs whereas the party band will have upbeat songs to dance and sing along to—so it’s best to check each live music option that you’re interested in.

Can you perform our first dance song live?

Yes! In fact—in my experience—first dance songs sound best when they’re performed live with a band and as the opening of the dance floor. You can also make a special request for a song if it’s not in my repertoire (please see the answer to “Can I request specific songs” for more on this).

Can you perform my walk-down-the-aisle song live?

Yes! A live-performed song makes for a very special moment as the bride approaches the altar. You can also make a special request for a song if it’s not in my repertoire (please see the answer to “Can I request specific songs” for more on this).

Booking and availability

How much do you charge?

You probably saw this coming—it depends!
My rates typically range from $350 to $3,000, depending on a few key factors:
• Whether you’re booking me solo, as a one-man band, or with the full party band (3-piece, 4-piece, or 5-piece)
• The type and length of your event
• Travel distance and any special equipment needs
The best way to get an accurate quote is to get in touch with a few event details—I’ll get back to you with options that suit your needs and budget.

Please note: I charge a 50% non-refundable deposit in order to secure any booking.

How busy is your schedule?

It changes from season to season, with my summertime being fully booked around 2-3 months in advance. It’s also common for certain dates to be booked up to 18 months in advance, so it’s best to check my public calendar, which you can do here.

How can I check your availability?

Before you contact me, please first click here to view my public calendar. It has all my confirmed upcoming bookings and is kept up to date.

Do you perform at weddings?

Most definitely. I do weddings, private parties, corporate events, festivals, restaurants, wineries, and anything in between.

Do you perform at private parties?

Absolutely! I do private parties, weddings, corporate events, festivals, restaurants, wineries, and anything in-between.

I’d like to book you – what’s the next step?

Excellent! Drop me an email to confirm my availability and get a quote for your event. You can also navigate to my Contact page for more ways of getting in touch. After that, I’ll send you an invoice with a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure the booking.

Get In Touch

Please reach out using any of the below contact methods to enquire about your event:

ericthomaslivemusic@gmail.com

022 522 1875