About PianoFactor – Our Story
How PianoFactor became one of the UK’s leading interactive piano entertainment companies
PianoFactor is a professional live entertainment company specialising in audience-led piano shows for weddings, corporate events and private functions across the UK. We create interactive piano entertainment that brings people together, from intimate performances to large-scale live events.
Where it began
PianoFactor was founded in 2009 by musician and entrepreneur Carl Williams, with a clear aim: to create a piano based live entertainment act that was interactive, flexible and driven by audience engagement rather than a fixed setlist.
The concept centred on duelling pianos — two piano entertainers performing live requests, responding instinctively and driving the energy in the room. At the time, duelling pianos was largely unavailable in the UK events market.
The first year involved no live performances — it was a development period spent refining the concept, shaping the show and laying the foundations of the business. In 2010, the first live event established the request-led, audience-focused approach that still defines PianoFactor today.
The performance was a success, leading to further bookings and the foundations of what PianoFactor would become. While the early shows were far from the polished production delivered today, the core concept — interaction, requests and audience connection — was firmly established.
How the show evolved
Since its first performances, PianoFactor has grown into a full-time live entertainment company delivering approximately 100 events each year across the UK and internationally.
While the Duelling Pianos act remains a core part of PianoFactor’s offering, the show has expanded into a range of piano-based formats, including the One Piano Show and the Pop-Up Piano Bar.
Regardless of the format, every performance is built around the same fundamentals: genuine audience interaction, high-energy pacing that keeps the room moving, and experienced, professional entertainers who know how to lead a live event.
A note from the founder
A true entertainer can capture a room in seconds — and keep it there all night. That ability is rare, and it’s what everything at PianoFactor is built around.
Before PianoFactor ever played its first live event, a full year was spent building the concept from scratch — designing the show, building the first piano shells, and doing the unglamorous groundwork to make it real. When the first booking finally came in (Microsoft, Bristol), we delivered it with two handmade piano builds and a lot of borrowed gear.
Looking back, it was rough around the edges — but the core idea was already there: this isn’t “background music”. It’s a room-changing, audience-connected experience. The job is not just playing piano — it’s reading people, lifting the energy, and having the confidence to lead the moment when it matters.
The truth is: not everyone can do this job. Being a strong musician is one part of it — but being able to read a room within moments and lift an audience almost instantly takes a very different kind of skill altogether. That combination of musicianship, confidence and connection is rare, and we’re privileged to work with such talented musicians and entertainers at PianoFactor.
If you book PianoFactor, you’re booking a team that takes the responsibility of the room seriously. We’ll bring the talent, the experience, and that extra bit of magic that turns “good” into unforgettable.
Founder & Creative Director, PianoFactor
Meet the team
Founder
Experience you can trust
PianoFactor is a full-time operation, and we take live entertainment seriously.
From the first enquiry through to the final song, our team focuses on clarity, preparation and delivery — ensuring you feel confident, supported and excited about your event. Over the years, we’ve performed for a wide range of clients, venues and organisations, from private celebrations to major corporate and public events.