The Horne Section
Presenter | Musical Comedy Band | Awards Hosts
The Horne Section is the UK’s premier musical comedy act—a six-headed entertainment phenomenon that blends elite jazz musicianship with anarchic, improvisational humor. Led by Alex Horne, the BAFTA-winning creator and co-host of the global hit TV show Taskmaster, the band offers a unique, high-energy solution for corporate events that require professionalism, prestige, and guaranteed engagement.
Hire The Horne Section for Your Corporate Event: Expertise, Charisma, and Unmatched Energy
In the world of corporate entertainment, event organisers often have the unenviable task of finding an act who can both hold a room effortlessly and bring genuine warmth and humour to proceedings. The Horne Section solves this dilemma. As a six-piece comedy jazz band, they create a real spectacle on stage and often get the whole room involved – it’s not uncommon for Alex to have 1,000+ bankers on their feet during Zumba with the band! Their material is mad, silly-yet-clever, and very, very funny. It’s inoffensive and works for every audience imaginable, making the Horne Section the perfect choice for any manner of corporate event. The band even play the stings at awards ceremonies as the winners come to stage!
With a broadcasting career spanning BBC Radio 4, Channel 4, and Dave, plus five consecutive sold-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe, the band has honed a performance style that appeals to diverse demographics. They are professional, adaptable, and uniquely capable of turning a standard corporate gathering into a memorable “event.”
About The Horne Section
The Story Behind the Sound
The Horne Section began as an experiment at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2010, born from Alex Horne’s desire to combine his stand-up comedy with his love for jazz. What started as a late-night variety show quickly evolved into a mainstream entertainment juggernaut.
The band is fronted by Alex Horne, known globally as the creator and star of Taskmaster, the show that has redefined panel comedy. However, the “secret sauce” of The Horne Section is the musicians themselves—a group of outstanding jazz artists who are also gifted comedians:
- Joe Auckland (Trumpet/Banjo): A world-class musician who also tours with Madness, Noel Gallagher and Oasis.
- Mark Brown (Saxophone/Guitar): The band’s stoic anchor and a long-time member of Robbie William’s touring band.
- Will Collier (Bass): The rhythmic engine that allows the band to genre-hop instantly. He’s performed with Bobby McFerrin, Ed Sheeran, Jamie Cullum and Imogen Heap to name just a few.
- Ben Reynolds (Drums): A master of comedic timing and sound effects.
- Ed Sheldrake (Keyboards): The musical director capable of improvising underscores on the fly.
Prime-time narrative comedy
After a successful pilot, The Horne Section TV Show was commissioned for release by Channel 4, with its first season airing in the Autumn of 2022. The show was commission for a second series and returned to our screens in 2025. Prior to this, they continued to keep fans entertained during the pandemic as the house band in Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer and Crouchy’s Year-Late Euros, starring alongside some of the biggest names in music and sport.
Firm favourites in 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’s Dictionary Corner, they have also appeared on The Last Leg (Channel 4) and are the only band to have hosted Never Mind the Buzzcocks. In 2018, they recorded their one-off special The Horne Section Television Programme at the London Palladium, which was later broadcast on Dave. The band’s additional credits include The Horne Section’s Christmas, a “deliciously blasphemous delight” (Chortle) for Sky Arts, and The John Bishop Show.
In 2021 the band completed a tour of the nation with their biggest show to date: That’s How I Like My Tour. They are currently back on tour bringing their new show The Horne Section’s Hit Show to theatres across the UK.
The Ultimate Awards Hosts
The Horne Section transforms awards nights. Instead of the standard “read name, clap, exit” routine, the band provides a continuous musical thread. They play winners onto the stage with high-energy fanfares, perform comedic “stings” for different categories, and can even write a custom “Company Anthem” to close the show.
After-Dinner Cabaret
For gala dinners and black-tie events, the band performs a headline set ranging from 20 to 60 minutes. This show includes their greatest hits (like the “Grandaddy” song or the “Henry Hoover” dance), audience participation segments, and genre-bending musical medleys.
Keynote & Conference Energisers
Need to wake up a crowd after a long day of PowerPoint presentations? The Horne Section can provide short, sharp bursts of entertainment – what they call “palette cleansers” – to reset the room’s energy between speakers.
Hybrid & Virtual Events
Having produced a chart-topping podcast and multiple TV shows, the band is exceptionally comfortable with broadcast environments. They can deliver high-quality entertainment for hybrid events where the audience is partly in the room and partly online.
FAQs
- How much space does The Horne Section need?
As a six-piece band, they require a stage area capable of accommodating a standard drum kit, keyboards, and four standing musicians (approx. 6m x 4m minimum). However, they are adaptable and have performed in venues ranging from intimate comedy clubs to the London Palladium.
- What are the technical requirements (Rider)?
The band requires a professional PA system suitable for the venue size, vocal microphones for all members, and instrument amplification. For corporate bookings, a detailed Technical Rider and Stage Plot (Input List) will be provided to your AV team. They typically require 4-5 monitor mixes to ensure tight musical timing.
- Can they perform for an international audience?
Yes. While some comedy is language-dependent, the musical virtuosity and physical comedy of The Horne Section transcend language barriers. They have successfully toured internationally and performed at festivals worldwide.
- How do I book The Horne Section?
Simply click ‘Book Now’ or contact Avalon Corporate Events directly. Due to their filming commitments with Channel 4 and Taskmaster, we recommend inquiring as early as possible to secure your preferred date.
