Best session drummers in London: who to book in 2026

Autumn in London means one thing for music: everything happens at once. Touring runs are in full swing, corporate event diaries are filling fast, and function bands are fielding enquiries for the party season right through to New Year. Studios, meanwhile, are locked in on year-end album projects. Whether you need someone in the room or tracking remotely, finding the right session drummer quickly matters. The three players below are all LDC-endorsed artists listed on our London page — a shortlist, not a ranking. All enquiries go straight to the drummer with no commission taken and no middleman.

Philip Edwards

Philip is based in Westminster, putting him right in the heart of central London and well placed for studios and rehearsal rooms across the city. His work spans rock, heavy rock, rock metal and punk rock — credits include AC/DC Reborn and Punk Rock Factory, so he understands both the precision of a produced rock record and the energy of a live punk performance. Philip offers studio sessions and remote sessions from his home studio, making him a flexible option whether you are tracking in town or working to a brief from afar.

View Philip's profile · Book Philip

Crispin Taylor

Also London-based, Crispin is in Islington and brings a distinguished CV: he is best known for his work with the Blow Monkeys and Galliano, and his specialisms are funk, soul and jazz funk, though he describes his range as wide across styles. His home studio is set up and ready — he records on a Ludwig 1970s Thermogloss kit with a large variety of snare drums, and as a Zildjian endorsee he uses Zildjian cymbals throughout. As well as studio and remote sessions, Crispin is willing to travel internationally, which is worth noting if a project takes you outside the UK.

View Crispin's profile · Book Crispin

William Richards

William is based elsewhere in the UK and travels for bookings, including to London — so factor in scheduling and travel when you reach out. He covers rock, metal and progressive genres through his work with Ba Theory and Obsidian Kingdom, and he is equally comfortable with pocket and lead drumming. He brings 20 years of professional experience, a full driver's licence, multiple kit and cymbal selections suited to different gigs, and — importantly for live productions — has no issue working to a click on stage. He is available for live hire, studio sessions and international travel.

View William's profile · Book William

Choosing the right player

Start with the format. For studio work, all three offer recorded sessions; for a live dep or function-band booking this autumn, William is your live hire option. If the project is fully remote and you are sending stems and a brief, both Philip and Crispin have home studios set up for exactly that. Check each drummer's listed services carefully before you get in touch, and confirm travel arrangements upfront — Philip and Crispin are London-based, while William travels in and will need logistics discussed. Genre fit matters too: rock and metal projects point clearly toward Philip or William, while funk, soul or jazz-funk production is Crispin's home territory.

How to book

Browse all London-based and London-available drummers, and pick up LDC sticks with tracked delivery in two to three working days, on the London drumsticks and drummers page. Once you have your shortlist, hit the book link on each profile — enquiries go directly to the player, with no agency commission involved.

Last updated November 2026.