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Dave Bywater Live Acoustic Performer
- Philadelphia, PA
- Singing Guitarist
- Travels up to 60 miles
- $500 - $3200
Overview
Entertaining audiences for over fifteen years, five star acoustic guitarist and singer Dave Bywater performs a vast repertoire of crowd favorites by Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Coldplay, The Beatles, U2 and many others. Audiences always compliment Dave on his full, soulful voice which inspires listeners to sing along. Dave's extensive songlist features diverse selections from the 60's to today and even includes lively Irish pub songs that keep crowds clapping and calling for more!
Karaoke anyone? Let your guests take center stage for a night everyone will remember! Dave is happy to discuss adding this service to your celebration.
18 Reviews

Dave was so much fun! The music he played acoustically during dinner was wonderful and light. Then after dinner Dave increased the tempo and had everyone singing Irish tunes and dancing to the oldies and current songs. I actually ended up hiring Dave for two additional hours (DJ and Guitar) because the crowd did not want the music to end. In addition, Dave was very personable and really wanted to talk to the guests and get a feel for what they wanted to hear. Thank you so much for a wonderful night full of great memories for years to come!!!!
Celtic Music, Country Singer, DJ, Guitarist, Pop Singer, Rock & Roll Singer, Singing Guitarist
Response from Dave Bywater Live Acoustic Performer:
Thanks for the glowing feedback, Teri! I’m thrilled that you and your guests loved the entertainment! Their energy and enthusiasm was electric and I was proud to be part of it!

Dave's performance was amazing at my wife's 40th birthday party. The party was on a sunset cruise and Dave had the best attitude after he had to move inside and then back outside again during a storm. His voice is outstanding and his setlist was very broad. By the end of the night, blue skies came out and he had the whole party dancing on the top deck. I would highly recommend Dave.
Guitarist, Singer/Songwriter, Singing Guitarist
Response from Dave Bywater Live Acoustic Performer:
Hey John,
Hope you are well! Thanks for the outstanding review! I too have many fond memories from your wife's 40th celebration!
Cheers,
Dave

Dave did exactly what we asked. We wanted a specific song list of folk songs that we could all sing along to and we couldn't have asked for better. His voice is great, demeanor relaxed and friendly, and he was very professional. Would definitely book him again.

I was looking for an extra touch for my husband 40TH birthday party and thought I would give this site a try. Dave was quick to respond and easy to talk to throughout the booking.
He arrived early to set up and was ready to start on time. One of the reasons I was excited to work with Dave is because another comment I saw mentioned that he was no fuss. That he comes in, sets up, plays an amazing set, breaks down and is out the door with ease. This is exactly what I needed since I was hosting the party and Dave delivered that and more. He played exactly what we wanted to hear (including our wedding song) and the guests LOVED every minute!
He’s a fantastic guitar player/singer and we will be booking him again in the future.
We are so grateful for his time and look forward to working with him again!
Singing Guitarist
Response from Dave Bywater Live Acoustic Performer:
Thanks so much Ashley! I’m thrilled you and your guests loved the entertainment! Reach out anytime!

If I could give Dave 6 stars I would! He was excellent in every way. When I told Dave about our favorite types of music I didn't expect him to have learned and performed songs just for us. Dave created a moment at my husband's birthday party that all of us will cherish for the rest of our lives. We feel so lucky to have found him! Thank you Dave! <3
Singing Guitarist

My fiancé and I booked Dave for a home wedding only 3 weeks before the big day. We had one quick call before the event to discuss a few special songs. He showed up on the big day and our house was filled with guests and catering staff. He took minimal direction from us and just went straight to setting up. He was so easy to work with. He even provided mics for the ceremony and speeches. Aside from the logistics, this man can really perform! The crowd loved him and his catalog of songs was top notch. If you’re trying to plan a chaotic wedding yourself, enlist the help of a seasoned pro like Dave to take a little pressure off!
Wedding Singer, Singing Guitarist

Dave Bywater played acoustic guitar, sang, DJ’ed and MC’ed
for our wedding. He did an incredible job seamlessly performing all these
roles. He even led interactive dances and activities, such as line dancing, a
conga line, and a limbo bar. He has a great voice and an energy that was
appreciated by all of our guests. Even one of the vendors from our catering
service said he was the best performer she had ever seen in many years of
working weddings. We would highly recommend his reasonably priced services. It
was a great deal, especially considering the amount of organization and talent
Dave brings to an event. We have now worked with him for two events and would be happy to work with him again for events in the future.
DJ, Folk Singer, Guitarist, One Man Band, Wedding Singer, Singing Guitarist

Everyone liked Dave. He is a good singer and I would recommend him.
Wedding Singer

This is the second time my family hired Dave to play/sing for a family event. No surprise that EVERYONE loved his music and singing. It is obvious he loves what he does and embraces his audience. My family and friends come from all over and the feedback is that Dave is the “best”. Thank you Dave for a memorable beautiful night to help celebrate my son’s wedding the following day.
Acoustic Band, Celtic Music, One Man Band, Wedding Singer, Singing Guitarist

Dave was fantastic. He arrived on time, setup and was fantastic during our 4-hour family St. Paddy's event. Incredible voice, super friendly, and we loved having him at our backyard shindig. Made the day!
Celtic Music, Guitarist, Singing Guitarist

Dave Bywater is an incredible musician and described as "Awesome!" by the guests of our retirement dinner. His ability to work with us on song selections made our dinner more enjoyable than we could have imagined. We definitely recommend Mr Bywater for your next event.
Guitarist
Response from Dave Bywater Live Acoustic Performer:
Thanks Joann! It was a magical evening and my great pleasure to entertain your guests! A fantastic crowd!

We hired Dave for our annual holiday party at Lear & Pannepacker, LLP. He was amazing. Although the cocktail hour was a little noisy, you were able to hear Dave and his guitar through it all. His choices of music were perfect for the holiday season.
Singing Guitarist

Dave did an absolutely wonderful job for our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. His playing and singing are beautiful and set the whole tone for our wedding. He listened carefully to what we wanted and helped us pick songs to create the exact feeling we were going for. He also came through at the very last minute and provided us with an additional mic for the officiant. He was flexible and professional and helped us push up the ceremony to avoid the rain. I would recommend him to absolutely anyone. Thank you Dave for making our day exactly what we had hoped for!!!
Singing Guitarist

Dave performed at a private party we had on the Moshulu in Philadelphia. The music was great and I had nothing to worry about. Dave did a great job and even took some requests. I would highly recommend Dave if you are looking for a friendly, talented, and professional vocalist/guitarist.
Singing Guitarist, Guitarist

Dave was extremely accommodating. Besides providing a great mix of guitar and vocals, there is a lot to be said for his unusual DJ Style. Our guests were overwhelmingly impressed with Dave's combination of styles and his agility on the dance floor. Many Kudos to you Dave,
Skip and Linda
Singing Guitarist, DJ, Guitarist, Wedding DJ, Wedding Singer

My husband and I were referred to Dave through a family member. Being the first in my family to get married, I really did not know what to expect in terms of a DJ, and thankfully with Dave's experience and knowledge, he was able to thoroughly answer all of my questions and concerns! Dave was professional from the minute we met him, throughout the entire wedding planning process and during the wedding. He was especially helpful in offering his advice and he was patient when we changed our mind on song options several times! Dave even asked me for the contact information of our wedding coordinator so that he could work with the venue regarding the flow of the wedding directly, to help reduce the stress on the bride! To top it all off, Dave is an amazing musician! He preformed live for the ceremony and our cocktail hour, has a large selection of song choices and he even composed a variation of one of our favorite songs for my father and I to walk down the aisle to! Very talented, organized and professional! We highly recommend Dave for all of your entertainment needs!
Singing Guitarist, DJ, Event Planner, Guitarist, Mobile DJ, Wedding DJ, Wedding Singer

Dave really made our 40th Birthday party a success! He was very professional and asked us for any specific song requests. He showed up early and started right on time. He is extremely talented with his singing and all of our guests were raving about him. I could have listened to his singing all night! We did have him switch to his DJ talent half way through the party which was so much fun. He got everyone dancing and showed us how to do some dances. I would highly recommend Dave to anyone planning an event. Thanks Dave for a great party!"
- Anne and Casey A.
Singing Guitarist, DJ, Event Planner, Guitarist, Harmonica Player, Mobile DJ, One Man Band, Rock & Roll Singer

"I found Dave Bywater on gigmasters last year and after reading all of the rave reviews, I knew we had to have him for our September 4th Wedding. I can't really express in words how amazing he was. Days after our Wedding we were still receiving calls from our guests telling us how amazing our DJ was. He was SO much fun! He really got the crowd going and he brought all kinds of props which was awesome!! All of the kids and adults loved him. Truly, SO MUCH FUN and he really made our reception memorable and a total blast. Absolutely without a doubt will RAVE about him to all of my friends for years to come and would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone for any type of event. "
- Erica B.
Singing Guitarist, DJ, Event Planner, Guitarist, Harmonica Player, Wedding DJ, Wedding Singer
Booking Info
Price Range: $500 - $3200
Gig Length: 120 - 360 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Professional Liability
Phone Number: Call
What to Expect
"Where did you find this guy? He's amazing!!" Time and again my clients tell me they hear this from their guests. I am a five star rated musician / singer and dj and am determined to make your event a smashing success!
About
"Absolutely perfect! Dave is amazing." - Karen S.
"Dave was the PERFECT match for our wedding reception." - Laura A.
"I'm thrilled you're available! You were by far my favorite, I love the quality of your voice." - Penelope M.
"Dave made our wedding!!! I was looking for someone to set a fun, casual but romantic wedding day. Dave filled our requests and so much more! He played his acoustic guitar for the ceremony and cocktail hour, then emceed the recepetion. He played "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison and nailed it! It was magical and just how I IMAGINED it in my head. He was diverse and his sound was smooth and relaxing. For the reception, he got everyone dancing and even got down on the floor himself teaching all the guests fun new dances. I received nothing but wonderful reviews from all our guests. If you're looking for someone who can do it all and do it well, choose Dave. You won't be disappointed." - Jen S.
Entertaining audiences for the past fifteen years, five star acoustic guitarist and singer Dave Bywater performs a vast repertoire of crowd favorites by Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Coldplay, The Beatles, U2 and many others. Audiences always compliment Dave on his full, soulful voice which inspires listeners to sing along. Dave's extensive songlist features diverse selections from the 60's to today and even includes lively Irish pub songs that keep crowds clapping and calling for more! Determined to make your special event one you'll remember for years to come, Dave is eager to add your personal requests to his playlist.
When hiring an entertainer for your formal event, keep in mind that many venues require that performers, referred to as "vendors", provide proof of liability insurance in order to utilize their facility. Having played at many formal events, Dave is fully insured for such instances.
To contact Dave for a free quote, simply click "Request Free Quote" at the top of this page and complete the form. If you'd rather GigSalad not forward your contact information to entertainers other than Dave Bywater, be sure to uncheck the box on the next page.
"You did an absolutely amazing job! Everyone loved ya'! We all had a blast!" - Jennifer C.
"Your music ideas are perfect! I definitely want to book you. I'll make the deposit through Gigmasters today! We're really looking forward to your music on our wedding day." - Laura K.
Additional Booking Notes
I provide all equipment necessary to the facilitation of my services.
Past Booked Events
September 24, 2022 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
June 18, 2022 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday Party |
April 23, 2022 • 4:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
February 19, 2022 • 6:30pm - 9:30pm | House Party |
September 17, 2021 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Reception |
June 04, 2021 • 6:00pm - 11:00pm | Rehearsal Dinner |
May 02, 2021 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
March 17, 2021 • 4:00pm - 9:00pm | House Party |
December 06, 2019 • 5:00pm - 10:00pm | Retirement Party |
November 16, 2019 • 4:30pm - 9:30pm | Wedding Engagement |
October 05, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Cocktail Party |
July 09, 2016 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
November 16, 2013 | Birthday Party |
September 18, 2013 | Private Party |
Set List
Dave Bywater – Complete Songlist
Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
All My Loving (The Beatles)
American Girl (Tom Petty)
American Pie (Don McClean)
American Tune (Paul Simon)
Angie (The Rolling Stones)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Can’t You See (Marshall Tucker Band)
Carolina In My Mind (James Taylor)
Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band)
City on Down (O.A.R.)
Country Road (James Taylor)
Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
Creep (Radiohead)
Cruise (Florida Georgia Line)
Crush (Dave Matthews)
Don’t Look Back in Anger (Oasis)
Elderly Woman (Pearl Jam)
Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
Fix You (Coldplay)
Flake (Jack Johnson)
Forever Young (Rod Stewart)
Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks)
Give a Little Bit (Supertramp)
Good Riddance (Greenday)
Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)
Heart of Gold (Neil Young)
Hey, Hey, My, My (Neil Young)
Hey Ya Acoustic (Obadiah Parker)
Home (Phillip Phillips)
How to Save a Life (The Fray)
How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
I Melt With You (Modern English)
If You Could Only See (Tonic)
I'm A Believer (The Monkees)
In My Life (John Lennon)
In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
I’ve Just Seen a Face (The Beatles)
Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen)
Keep Me In Mind (Zac Brown Band)
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
Landslide (Stevie Nicks)
Lean On Me (Bill Withers)
Let It Be (The Beatles)
Me and Julio (Paul Simon)
Midnight Special (CCR)
Mrs. Robinson (Paul Simon)
No Rain (Blind Melon)
One (U2)
One Love (Bob Marley)
Patience (Guns N’ Roses)
Peaceful Easy Feeling (The Eagles)
Polythene Pam (The Beatles)
Red, Red Wine (UB40)
Redemption Song (Bob Marley)
Ripple (The Grateful Dead)
Rocky Raccoon (The Beatles)
Rude (Magic)
Say Something (A Great Big World)
Shape Of You (Ed Sheeran)
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window (Beatles)
She’s Got A Way (Billy Joel)
Sitting On the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing, (Jack Johnson)
Slide (Goo Goo Dolls)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Israel K.)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
Sweet Child O Mine (Guns N’ Roses)
Teach Your Children (David Crosby)
Thank You (Led Zepplin)
The Weight (The Band)
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
Three Little Birds (Bod Marley)
Titanium (David Guetta)
Touch of Grey (The Grateful Dead)
Umbrella (Rihanna)
Where Are You Going (Dave Matthews)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George Harrison)
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
Yellow (Coldplay)
You Are the Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Stones)
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (The Beatles)
Zombie (The Cranberries)
Influences & Inspiration
James Taylor, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, Coldplay, U2
Setup Requirements
Access to a standard three prong electrical outlet