Welcome!
We are Plymouth University Big Band (PUBB)! Set up in 2005 by a dedicated group of students who wanted a musical outlet within the University life, Big Band is a multi-award winning society that has grown in popularity and musical quality over the years. We are a very welcoming and inclusive group and allow people of any musical background or standard. All you need is interest and enthusiasm. We play everything from Jazz, Swing, Funk, Latin, Contemporary and much more!
We were awarded the University of Plymouth Society of the Year Award 2025-2026
Groups
The society has expanded over the years, and we now run 3 different groups weekly:
Big Band: Monday evenings from 19:00 - 21:30 in Rolle 018. We play everything from Jazz, Swing, Funk, Latin, Contemporary and much more! This is the main group within the society.
Function Band*: Thursday evenings from 19:00-21:00 in Rolle 015. We play predominantly covers of popular music, with the occasional funk twist! This group primarily offers opportunities to play to an audience.
Small Band*: Sunday afternoons from 14:00-16:00 in Rolle 015. This group focuses on jazz standards, with opportunities to work on improvisation for those who wish to! We also occasionally hold workshops with local professional musicians.
*typically we ask that members wishing to participate in these groups - excluding singers - also have regular participation in the main band (Big Band), as this group is the main focus of the society.
Events
We have regular gigs within the University and in the wider Devon area having performed at local bars, pubs, public events, The Student Union, University and Society Balls.
The Big Band had the incredible opportunity to play the Main Stage at Summer Ball this summer, opening the event. We also compete against other universities in the annual South West Battle of the Big Bands, Where we won Best Piece and Best Overall Band in 2025! Our success continued into 2026 where we won Best Vibe at the University of Bath.
Function Band often play at SU events like Jam House, May Day, and various societies’ balls
Small Band takes part in local jazz showcases in Plymouth, as well as playing for official University events such as the Vice-Chancellors Awards, UPSU Awards, graduate events and various society balls.
We also regularly fundraise for charity through gigs, last year we raised over £800 for Movember and for Women’s Health Charities.
Socials
We have both drinking and non-drinking socials. Our socials are organised by our comittee and we are always open to suggestions. We go to Caffeine Club after every Big Band rehearsal on Monday, and on Thursdays after Function Band we tend to head over to Jam House and JSV.
Other socials include mystery food socials, powerpoint socials, day trips, bowling, film nights and seeing live music as a group. We also often run socials with other societies
Once you’ve signed up as a member, don’t forget to join our WhatsApp community to make sure you know what's coming up each week, ask a member of the committee or send us an email to get added!
Contact us, book a gig, keep up to date or ask us any questions via the links below!
Book a gig: https://forms.gle/oDz3UcxZTZWB7iRx5
Maddie Jones (Band Secretary): plymunibigband@gmail.com
Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KEoOrn897btAQh5GtnCSgi
Big Band Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plymunibigband/
Function Band Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plymunifunctionband/
Our Supported Charities:
Plymouth Music Zone: www.plymouthmusiczone.org.uk/
Plymouth Raise & Give Society (RAG) https://www.upsu.com/raiseandgive/
Marrow (Anthony Nolan Trust): www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/volunteer-us/volunteering-opportunities/marrow
Marrow UPSU Society: www.upsu.com/societies/7458/