WHAT IS A CEILIDH? And other FAQ's...

Ceilidh, ceili, barn dance, hoedown… they’re all essentially the same thing (unless you speak to a proper folk nerd!) - an incredibly fun form of dancing to lively tunes, played by a live band, with a ‘caller’ - someone telling you how to dance simple but entertaining group dances.

Lively Ceilidh Band in the Peak District.jpg

FAQ's...

DANCING

How long do you normally perform for?

Most commonly our ceilidhs are 2-3 hours with a 10-20 minute break in the middle. We're very happy to go up to 4 hours ceilidh too, with a 45 minute break. The break is for the dancers as much as the band!

What band options do you offer?

We have 3 different band packages we can offer:

CORE is our 4-piece band perfect for the more intimate setting and a smaller budget.

STANDARD is our 5-piece band providing a fuller and more lively sound, keeping your guests dancing right through the night.

PREMIUM is our 6-piece band offering our most exciting and punchy sound; perfect for larger venues and bigger events, or just those who want maximum impact and joy!

How many people do you need to Ceilidh?

You probably want at least 24 people in a smaller venue for the atmosphere of a lively ceilidh. The upper limit is only restricted by the size of your venue!

Do I need to know how to dance?

Not at all! We have an expert and friendly 'caller' who will give you clear instructions and walk you through each dance before introducing the band. The caller then continues to call the dances over the music until the dancers are looking confident on their own two feet!

What dances do you do?

We are proud to call ourselves a 'fusion' ceilidh band as we have a huge variety of traditional and modern dances (and tunes) from England, Ireland, Scotland and way beyond. Some of our favourites include the Canadian Barn Dance, Kings Silver Jig, The Gay Gordons, Maypole, Cheronika, The Dashing White Sergeant, The Circassian Circle...and the slightly more obscure Sausage Machine, and a Year in the Life of a Penguin!

Do you take special requests?

Yes! If it's appropriate, of course. If possible it would be great to receive these in advance just to make sure we are familiar with the dance or the music, and also so we can fit it in at a suitable point during your ceilidh.

What sort of events can you play for?

Any event with a decent amount of space and plenty of people who are game for a dance!! Most commonly we play for weddings, but also birthday parties, anniversaries, work Christmas parties, festivals, school PTA events...the list goes on!

What type of music do you play?

Mostly English, Irish and Scottish traditional folk dance music. There maybe some curveballs thrown in - especially when George our guitarists throws in some jazzy chords! - but we keep it all nice and lively to fit in with the form of the dances.

Can you play pop tunes for those who are unfamiliar with a ceilidh?

Afraid not, sorry - the music we play needs to fit in with the style and form of the dances, otherwise you'll find most of your guests end up dancing with two left feet! You're welcome to put your own playlist through our sound system during the break if you would like to though.

What do I wear for a ceilidh?

Whatever you like! But also, you probably want to consider comfy footwear - maybe advise your guests to bring a change of footwear for the dancing if they've been dressed up to the nines for a previous part of the day. Otherwise it's worth being aware that ceilidhs are lively and you may get quite hot dancing!

TECH

Do you bring your own PA system?

Yes! We bring everything we need to put on a ceilidh, all we require is a safe minimum 13amp power supply within close proximity to where the band will be set up.

Do you have Public Liability Insurance and electrical safety certificates?

Yes! We have full Public Liability Insurance, and all our equipment is fully PAT tested. Certificates are available on request.

How long does setting up/down take?

We like to arrive approximately 60 minutes before the start time of the ceilidh. This should give us enough time to bring in and set up all our equipment, and then sound check. If you need us to be set up and sound checked sooner so we do not disturb the running of your event then please do ask, but an early set up fee will be necessary.

We normally take approximately 30 minutes to pack down and clear off site after the ceilidh has ended.

How much space is required?

The band needs at least 4/5/6 metres width depending on if you book the 4/5/6-piece band, and a depth of 2.5 metres.

Then we suggest approximately a metre square per dancer where possible, but we can also adapt dances to fit around unusual shaped rooms or obstacles such as pillars or steps!

Can you provide background music between sets?

Yes! We can provide our own folk music playlist to play between the sets, or alternatively you are welcome to plug your own into our PA system.

WEDDINGS

Can I have a ceilidh dance for my first dance?

Yes! We have a lovely 'Wedding First Dance' that starts off with just the bride and groom and gradually adds all your guests onto the dance floor. It is the perfect way to start off a ceilidh, especially for those who have never danced at one before, as the simplicity and fun puts their mind at ease to try out more dances after - and also, who can say no when invited to join in the first dance?!

Can you play during my ceremony or drinks reception as well?

Yes! You may well find this a more affordable way to have live music played during multiple parts of your day.

You can chose from our 2/3/4 piece bands where we will play a mix of folk tunes and popular music in a folk acoustic style, perfectly tailored to your special day. You can make special requests for particular tunes you would like us to play, and if the one you want is not already in our extensive repertoire we can arrange it especially (for a small extra charge).
Chat to us about what you have in mind and we will put together a bespoke package especially for you.

BOOKING THE BAND

How much do you charge?

Our prices start at just £755 for up to 3 hours ceilidh. You can download our full press pack here for more pricing and information on the different band options. Expenses will also be added and will be determined on the location and timings of the ceilidh.

What are the booking terms?

We require a 20% deposit to secure your booking. Details of how to pay, and also our cancellation policy, are written clearly on the contract you will be sent upon requesting to book the band.

Can we come and see you perform?

Unfortunately almost all of our ceilidhs are private bookings and therefore we are unable to invite our own guests along too, however we are regularly posting video footage on our social media accounts so hopefully you can get enough of an idea of the lively and fun entertainment we provide there. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

How do we book?

Simply get in touch with our friendly band manager and caller, Nai, using the contact form here or by emailing us at highpeakceilidh@gmail.com