Verified
What a great team -expert musicians, very professional service and wonderful entertainment. Carl and Chris made this a very special birthday that we wont forget.
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 Party Piano Band 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.
Carl Williams
Founder & Creative Director, PianoFactor
Founder & Creative Director, PianoFactor
Meet the team
Carl Williams
Pianist / Singer / EntertainerFounder
James Alexander
Pianist / Singer / Entertainer
Gina May
Pianist / Singer / Entertainer
Will Spurling
Drummer
Nathan Wright
Guitarist / Singer
Ben Smith
Guitarist / Singer
Chris Alderidge
Saxophonist
Rosie O'Callaghan
SaxophonistExperience you can trust
PianoFactor is a full-time live entertainment company built around professional, request-driven piano shows. Our performers don’t just play songs — they manage rooms, read people, and deliver live entertainment that works in the real world, under real event pressure.
Over the years, our Piano entertainers have performed at an extraordinary range of events and venues in all sorts of locations — from private celebrations and corporate functions to large-scale public and televised events. That experience shapes how we approach every booking, regardless of size.
This depth of experience means our acts arrive prepared, adaptable and in control — whether performing in an intimate room or a demanding, high-profile environment.
Major venues we have performed at
- Wembley Stadium
- Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
- ICC Birmingham
- Stadium MK
Our clients include
- Microsoft
- NFL
- Virgin
- Guinness Storehouse
- Rolls-Royce
- Mercedes
- BBC
- RAF
Customer Reviews
Verified
Possibly biased, but after going to countless weddings we knew we didn't want a standard wedding band. Carl killed it, so good, such a good atmosphere. Book him no…
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PianoFactor have performed their Duelling Pianos show several times for me. I was impressed by the professionalism displayed by Carl, from my original enquiry thr…
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The band were great - everyone up dancing straight away and enjoying getting their requests played. The interaction was superb and, as the organiser, I was relieve…
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Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire! I have hired the guys from Piano Factor for three different corporate events now. Each time they are incredible, they bring…
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When my wife and I were looking at bands to perform at our wedding we knew that we wanted something a little bit different to the normal guitar / backing musicians…
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Event: An Evening with the stars 2013 in aid of BBC Children in need It was an absolute pleasure to work with PianoFactor who performed various well known tunes t…
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Duelling Pianos is a fabulous form of entertainment and PianoFactor certainly get it right! Two guys performing hit songs on the pianos along with a super band to…
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We booked Carl for a pop up piano party for our wedding reception and would highly recommend! He also leant our first dance and a few other requests which made it…
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Carl and his team made our night at our wedding reception in Hook. They were everything we’d hoped they would be and more. We can’t recommend them highly enough! W…
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