Josh & The Empty Pockets - Cover Band - Chicago, IL - Hero Main
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Josh & The Empty Pockets Cover Band from Chicago, IL

Will travel up to 3000 miles

  • Avg 5.0 | 49 Reviews
  • 97 Verified Bookings
  • Member Since 2007
  • 4 Awards & Badges
  • Accepts Online Payment
  • Starting at $4,000 per event

About Vendor 

Learn more about this vendor for your event.

ONE OF AMERICA'S 15 BEST WEDDING BANDS! (The Feast Wedding Special) Chicago's Best Modern Event Band! Specializing in today's hits and reinvented classics, the Empty Pockets offer a fun, dynamic musical experience sure to keep your event rocking all night long. Plus, we'll help you through every detail of the party planning process AND tailor our show to reflect your personal style. Why Hire Us? We're professional, we love what we do, and it shows. The Empty Pockets have headlined SXSW Music Festival, shared the stage with stars like comedian George Lopez, and musicians such as Dickey Betts, Jason Mraz, FUN, Dispatch, Jennifer Hudson, Portugal The Man, Traffic's Dave Mason and Buffalo Springfield's Richie Furay, had two singles chart on the Billboard top 100, and garnered appearances and song placements on major network and cable television programs. Six tracks from The Pockets' last two EP's have received significant airplay on multiple radio formats. We are a hip alternative to your traditional event band - no pomp and circumstance here, just straight up rock and roll. "With a Buddy Holly tribute album, a record contract and a SXSW showcase under their belt, Josh and the Empty Pockets are, by most accounts, a successful indie band. But they also do local weddings, getting bodies on the floor with a rockabilly-heavy set that often deviates for a crowd-pleasing Michael Jackson medley." -James Jung, The Feast Wedding Special "Huge young, talent... Terrific!" -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune "They brought a fun energy and positive, upbeat presence to the stage for their very enjoyable set, getting the crowd primed for Dickey Betts. Initially gaining traction locally as a Buddy Holly tribute trio in 2006, and then with the subsequent addition of Erika on vocals, the band looks to have hit their stride. I highly recommend you checking them out." -Rock Chicago Magazine "The Empty Pockets have a bright future. They play intelligent, well-crafted pop/rock with substance that still manages to not get bogged down in its own importance. Buddy Holly would be proud." -Duke Egbert, Daily Vault Album Reviews "The songs are melodic and interesting and they're obviously talented musicians that work together... I guess the best word to describe this band is fun. They seem to be having the time of their lives, which is infectious..." -Amy Lotsberg, Producer of Collected Sounds

Reviews 

Check out these verified reviews from bookings on The Bash.

Avg 5.0 | 49 Reviews

See all 49 Reviews

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Review by Suzanne F.

Wedding ReceptionReviewed on September 8, 2014From Excelsior Springs, MO

We strongly recommend booking Josh & The Empty Pockets. In fact, start here with your wedding budget and make cuts elsewhere, because they are worth every penny and made such a difference in the life of our reception. We had booked the band based only on Gigmaster reviews and video snippets, and were blown away by their talent. Best decision. Had a packed dance floor and a high volume of compliments on the band. We agree with an earlier review, that we would get married again just to enjoy this band with our friends. They honored our special requests and management made process easy. We can't thank you enough! Feel free to use us in further references.

Review by Kelly S.

WeddingReviewed on July 14, 2013From Zion, IL

What can we say, every part of our day was impeccable because of the work done by all members of The Empty Pockets. Their energy and dedication to making our day a dream come true was always their priority. Every single family member was amazed by the performance. Sam and I wish we could get married again, only to have them play for us again. Wouldnt change our choice for anything!

Review by Rani L.

Wedding ReceptionReviewed on September 9, 2012From Madison, WI

Josh & The Empty Pockets were amazing and the best decision we made for our wedding. They were definitely the hit of the night and we are still getting rave reviews on how much fun all our guests had. We had so many complaints from our friends and family of sore feet the next day from dancing so much. Erika was so helpful in the planning process; she sent email reminders and helpful tips for the dance part of the evening. Josh was a fantastic MC and was accommodating during our dinner and dance schedule. We highly recommend them to all of our friends and family who are looking for a band. Thank you for making our wedding day so special!

Awards & Badges 

See why this vendor is top rated on The Bash.

Song List 

Get a feel for the songs performed by this vendor. Contact them directly for special requests.

  • We Are Young | Fun.
  • Safe and Sound | Capital Cities
  • Paris (Ooh La La) | Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
  • Party in the USA | M. Cyrus
  • Marry You | Bruno Mars
  • Just the Way You Are | Bruno Mars
  • Are You Gonna Be My Girl | JET
  • Raise Your Glass | Pink
  • Glitter in the Air | Pink
  • To Make You Feel My Love | B. Dylan/Adele
  • All Summer Long | Kid Rock
  • Hey Soul Sister | Train
  • I’m Yours | J. Mraz
  • I Won’t Give Up | J. Mraz
  • Lucky | J. Mraz/C. Callait
  • 1000 Years (Duet Version) | K. Perri
  • Love Story | T. Swift
  • American Honey | Lady Antebellum
  • Ho Hey | The Lumineers
  • The Cave | Mumford + Sons
  • Little Lion Man | Mumford + Sons
  • Home | Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
  • Little Talks | Of Monsters and Men
  • First Day of My Life | Bright Eyes
  • Everything | M. Buble
  • Come Away With Me | N. Jones
  • Turn Me On | N. Jones
  • 1 2 3 4 | Plain White T’s
  • Rhythm of Love | Plain White T’s
  • Hey There Delilah | Plain White T’s
  • You are the Best Thing | R. La Montagne
  • Stars Go Blue | R. Adams
  • Paperweight | J. Radin
  • Today | J
  • One and Only | Teitur
  • Hallelujah | J. Buckley
  • The Underdog | Spoon
  • The Way I Am | I. Michaelson
  • Bullets | B. Schneider
  • The Luckiest | B. Folds
  • Falling Slowly | G. Hansard/M. Irglova
  • Hot ‘n Cold/Firework | K. Perry
  • Never Say Never | J. Bieber
  • Home | Daughtry
  • I’ll Stay with You | Goo Goo Dolls
  • Sunday Morning | Maroon 5
  • Comfortable | J. Mayer
  • Better Together | J
  • The Difference | The Wallflowers
  • Wild Rover | Dropkick Murphys
  • Drunken Lullabies | Dropkick Murphys
  • Black Horse & the Cherry Tree | KT Tunstall
  • Mr. Jones | Counting Crows
  • Hangin' Around | Counting Crows
  • The General | Dispatch
  • That Was a Crazy Game of Poker | O.A.R.
  • Kind and Generous | N. Merchant
  • Closer to Fine | Indigo Girls
  • Galileo | Indigo Girls
  • (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles | The Proclaimers
  • Wonderwall | Oasis
  • Basket Case | Green Day
  • Rock n Roll | E. Hutchinson
  • Gin and Juice | Snoop Dogg
  • Stay (Wastin’ Time) | Dave Matthews Band
  • What Would You Say | Dave Matthews Band
  • Hard to Handle | Black Crowes
  • GIRLS Just Wanna Have a MASHUP | C. Lauper/Beastie Boys
  • My Favorite Mistake | S. Crow
  • That Thing You Do | The Wonders
  • Mmm Bop | Hanson
  • Run Around/All For You | Blues Traveler/Sister Hazel
  • I’m a Believer | Smashmouth
  • Chicken Fried | Zac Brown Band
  • Wanted | H. Hayes
  • All Your Life | Band Perry
  • Feels Like Home | C. Kreviazuk/E. Hayes
  • My Wish | Rascal Flatts
  • Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not | Thompson Square
  • Some Days You Gotta Dance | Dixie Chicks
  • The Way You Love Me | F. Hill
  • Friends in Low Places | G. Brooks
  • Callin’ Baton Rouge | G. Brooks
  • Squeeze Me In | G. Brooks/T. Yearwood
  • Redneck Woman | G. Wilson
  • Fall Into Me | Sugarland
  • Little White Church | Little Big Town
  • I Loved Her First | Heartland
  • I Hope You Dance | L. Womack
  • Family Tradition | Hank Williams
  • Fishin’ in the Dark | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
  • Thank God I’m a Country Boy | J. Denver
  • All Night Long | L. Richie
  • Sweet Child of Mine | Guns ‘n Roses
  • Don’t Stop Believin’ | Journey
  • Pour Some Sugar on Me | Def Leppard
  • Your Love | The Outfield
  • I Think We’re Alone Now | Tiffany
  • Safety Dance | Men Without Hats
  • Jenny (867-5309) | Tommy Tu-tone
  • Sunglasses at Night | C. Hart
  • Rock the Casbah | The Clash
  • Footloose | K. Loggins
  • Don’t Fight It | K. Loggins/S. Perry
  • Fire | The Pointer Sisters
  • Back in Black | ACDC
  • Black Betty | Ram Jam
  • Black Velvet | A. Myles
  • Material Girl | Madonna
  • Forever Young | R. Stewart/B. Dylan
  • Michael Jackson Tribute | M. Jackson
  • PYT | M. Jackson
  • Livin’ on a Prayer | J. Bon Jovi
  • Jessie’s Girl | R. Springfield
  • Not Fade Away/Satisfaction | B. Holly/Rolling Stones
  • Simple Man | L. Skynyrd
  • Play that Funky Music | Wild Cherry
  • I Will Survive | G. Gaynor
  • Last Dance | D. Summer
  • Sweet Caroline/Build Me Up Buttercup MASHUP | N. Diamond/The Foundations
  • Piano Man | B. Joel
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough | M. Gaye + T. Terrell
  • Superstition | S. Wonder
  • Signed Sealed Delivered | S. Wonder
  • Takin’ Care of Business | B.T.O.
  • What I Like About You | The Romantics
  • Born To Run | B. Springsteen
  • The Thrill is Gone | B.B. King
  • Sweet Home Chicago | B. Guy/R. Johnson
  • Mustang Sally | M. Rice
  • Kodachrome | P. Simon
  • Father & Daughter | P. Simon
  • Loves Me Like a Rock | P. Simon
  • Daughter | L. Wainwright
  • Another Saturday Night | Cat Stevens
  • Your Mama Don’t Dance | Loggins & Messina
  • The Weight | The Band
  • Dixie Chicken | Little Feat
  • Shakedown Street | Grateful Dead
  • Slow Ride | Foghat
  • All Right Now | Free
  • Joy to the World | Three Dog Night
  • Get Down Tonight | KC and the Sunshine Band
  • Southern Cross | Crosby Stills & Nash
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door | B. Dylan
  • Landslide | Fleetwood Mac
  • Wild Night | V. Morrison
  • Have I Told You Lately | V. Morrison
  • Crazy Love | V. Morrison
  • Moondance | V. Morrison
  • Tupelo Honey | V. Morrison
  • Brown Eyed Girl | V. Morrison
  • Into the Mystic | V. Morrison
  • Good Lovin’ | The Young Rascals
  • Love the One You’re With | S. Stills
  • Mony Mony | Tommy James & the Shondells
  • Rockin’ Robin | Jackson 5
  • My Girl | The Temptations
  • Let it Be | The Beatles
  • In My Life | The Beatles
  • Rock ‘n Roll Music | The Beatles
  • I Saw Her Standing There | The Beatles
  • Twist and Shout/La Bamba | The Beatles/R. Valens
  • I Will | The The Beatles
  • Act Naturally | H. Williams/The Beatles
  • Jackson | J. Cash/J. Carter
  • Folsom Prison Blues | J. Cash
  • Feelin’ Alright | J. Cocker
  • Old Time Rock and Roll | J. Cocker
  • Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You | F. Valli and The Four Seasons.
  • Chain of Fools | A. Franklin
  • At Last | E. James
  • Runaway/Let the Sunshine In | D. Shannon/B. Raitt/The 5th Dimension
  • Shout | Isley Brothers
  • Good Golly Miss Molly | Little Richard
  • Pretty Woman | R. Orbison
  • Jailhouse Rock | Elvis
  • Hound Dog | Elvis
  • Blue Suede Shoes | Perkins/Elvis
  • Great Balls of Fire | J. L. Lewis
  • Everyday | B. Holly
  • Reddy Teddy | B. Holly
  • Oh Boy | B. Holly
  • Peggy Sue | B. Holly
  • That'll be the Day | B. Holly
  • Ollie Vee | B. Holly
  • Maybe Baby | B. Holly
  • True Love Ways | B. Holly
  • Roll Over Beethoven | C. Berry
  • Brown Eyed Handsome Man | C. Berry
  • Johnny B. Goode/Black Dog | C. Berry/Led Zeppelin
  • Rockin’ Around the Clock | Bill Haley & The Comets
  • Stand by Me | S. Cooke
  • Over the Rainbow | Standard
  • Almost Like Being in Love | Standard
  • Cheek to Cheek | Standard
  • When I Fall in Love | Standard
  • I’m Beginning to See the Light | Standard
  • Blame It On My Youth | Standard
  • Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby | Standard
  • Fever | Standard
  • I’ll Be Seeing You | Standard
  • Come Rain or Come Shine | Standard
  • (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons | Standard
  • Someday My Prince Will Come | Standard
  • It Might As Well Be Spring | Rodgers & Hammerstein/Standard
  • Beyond the Sea | Darin/Standard
  • Dindi | Standard
  • Taking a Chance on Love | Standard
  • God Bless the Child | Standard
  • My Way | Standard
  • Paper Moon | Standard
  • Satin Doll | Standard
  • The Girl from Ipanema | Jobim/Standard
  • Route 66 | Standard
  • The Way You Look Tonight | Standard
  • I Can’t Give You Anything But Love | Standard
  • More Than You Know | Standard
  • It Don’t Mean A Thing | Ellington/Standard
  • Bye Bye Blackbird | Standard
  • I’m Through With Love | Standard
  • It Had to Be You | Standard
  • Just Squeeze Me | Standard
  • Please Be Kind | Standard
  • Twisted | Standard
  • Save Your Love for Me | Standard
  • I Got it Bad (and That Ain’t Good) | Standard
  • Bewitched | Standard
  • Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man | Kern/Standard
  • Dream a Little Dream of Me | Cass/Standard
  • But Not For Me | Gershwin/Standard
  • Embraceable You | Gershwin/Standard
  • Meaningless Words Medley (Papa… Rolling Stone/Lady Maramalade) | The Empty Pockets
  • Too Late | The Empty Pockets
  • I Don’t Wanna Know | The Empty Pockets
  • You Know I Do | The Empty Pockets
  • All I Need | The Empty Pockets
  • Cupid’s Out of Town | The Empty Pockets
  • Find or Fail | The Empty Pockets
  • Home | The Empty Pockets
  • Nay Says and Maybes | The Empty Pockets
  • Ooh La La | The Empty Pockets
  • Fall Right Now | The Empty Pockets
  • Leaving Jackson | The Empty Pockets
  • Let Go | The Empty Pockets
  • Traveling Song | The Empty Pockets
  • Tractor Song | The Empty Pockets
  • Snow Shoes | The Empty Pockets
  • Chosen One | The Empty Pockets
  • Eskimo Lady | The Empty Pockets
  • Sarah | The Empty Pockets
  • Roll On Home | The Empty Pockets
  • I Hear Your Voice | The Empty Pockets
  • The Barstool | The Empty Pockets
  • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings | Barenaked Ladies/S. McLachlan
  • What Christmas Means to Me | S. Wonder/Hanson
  • Baby It’s Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home | F. Loesser/D. Love
  • Silent Night | Traditional
  • Holly Jolly Christmas | B. Ives
  • Santa Claus is Coming to Town | B. Springsteen/Traditional
  • Santa Baby | E. Kitt/Traditional
  • Run Run Rudolph | C. Berry
  • Lord’s Prayer | Traditional Christian
  • Hava Nagila | Traditional Jewish
  • Moon Behind the Hill | Traditional Irish
  • Beer Barrel Polka | Traditional Polka

Booked Events 

: The Bash Verified Bookings

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events

Past Events

August 19, 2017 • Wedding
Sat6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Charlevoix, MI
June 10, 2017 • College Reunion
Sat7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Chicago, IL
February 24, 2017 • Corporate Function
Fri6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Chicago, IL
September 17, 2016 • Wedding
Sat6:30 PM - 11:30 PM Granville, IL
September 3, 2016 • Wedding
Sat5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Baileys Harbor, WI
August 27, 2016 • Wedding Reception
Sat8:30 PM - 12:00 AM Sheboygan, WI
July 23, 2016 • Corporate Function
Sat8:30 PM - 11:30 PM Saint Joseph, MI
July 16, 2016 • Club Event
Sat8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Arlington Heights, IL
June 25, 2016 • Community Event
Sat7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Vinton, IA
June 18, 2016 • Wedding Reception
Sat8:30 PM - 12:00 AM Chicago, IL
June 11, 2016 • Community Event
Sat7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Wittenberg, WI
May 29, 2016 • Wedding
Sun5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Santa Fe, NM

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