The Top 6 Best Ceilidh Bands in London (With Prices)

Updated 2 April 2024

Reading time — 5 minutes

The Top 6 Best Ceilidh Bands in London (With Prices)

In this blog post, we'll reveal the 6 most popular ceilidh bands for hire in London on FixTheMusic, based on the number of their confirmed bookings for 2024 and 2025.

London is home to some of the finest ceilidh bands in Europe...bands that perform regularly at high-end corporate events and celebrity weddings.

View our complete list of recommended ceilidh bands in London and the UK ➡️

You'll see that there is a huge range of styles and that many of the London ceilidh bands offer something a bit different to make your wedding truly memorable.

Browse London Ceilidh Bands

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All of these bands perform traditional Scottish ceilidh sets for dancing, and some perform pop & rock covers as well...these bands are known as "ceilidh and covers bands".

Ceilidh bands in London on FixTheMusic have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment.

FixTheMusic's ceilidh bands perform in a variety of styles, from Scottish and Irish traditional dance music to barn dance and folk music. If you're after a live band for your dance or ceilidh, London has an awesome array of groups to choose from.

How we choose the best ceilidh bands in London

Every band on this list has been selected because they have the most bookings on our platform. The team at FixTheMusic invites only exceptional musicians to join the platform, so the wedding bands highlighted here are truly the best of the best. Each band featured on FixTheMusic undergoes rigorous evaluation, chosen for their exceptional musicianship, verified reviews from past couples, high-quality videos, and dedication to customer satisfaction. We update this list regularly as new bands rise through the ranks and existing bands evolve.

So here's the list of the 6 best ceilidh bands for hire in London for 2024...

1. Ceilidh Twist
2. Paragon Ceilidh Band
3. Willow Ceilidh Band
4. The London Ceilidh Band
5. Ramnee Ceilidh Band
6. Keep Calm and Ceilidh

So let's take a closer look at the most in-demand ceilidh bands in London this year...

1. Ceilidh Twist
Average booking price: £2,019 (as of April 2024)
Location: London

Ceilidh Twist are a professional ceilidh and covers band based in London. Established in 2000, they have the experience to know what makes a great ceilidh!

They have several TV credits to their name, having recently appeared on BBC1 'This Week', E4 'Made in Chelsea', ITV 'TOWIE' and Channel 4 'Gok Wann's Fashion Fix'.

Ceilidh Twist regularly play at destination weddings in Europe and beyond, recently performing in France (4 times), Malta (3 times), Dubai, Portugal, Italy and Jersey.

And they have upcoming weddings in the next year in France (twice more), Rome (again), Majorca, Spain and Tuscany!

As possibly the busiest ceilidh band around, Ceilidh Twist are in demand for weddings across Europe as well as the UK! We put a fresh twist on traditional tunes and dances by combining them with a modern, contemporary rhythm that no one can resist dancing to, which is why word of mouth accounts for the majority of our work and we get so many repeat bookings.

View our list of the UK's best ceilidh bands ➡️

We’re highly experienced in travelling for bookings abroad and know how to work with a mixed nationality crowd and to deal with the logistics of a destination wedding!

Our standard band is a 5-piece line-up of Caller, Fiddle, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Drum Kit. But we often play as a smaller ensemble, as a 3 or 4-piece band, particularly for destination weddings and all options work really well!

All of our musicians are full-time, professional players and the members of Ceilidh Twist come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds from Funk to Jazz and Big-Band, Classical to Gospel and Traditional Scottish/Irish music.

We understand that whatever your event, you need a professional, experienced band of the highest quality that take pride in what they do.

So if you're looking to hire the finest ceilidh and covers band London has to offer for your wedding or event, get in touch with Ceilidh Twist.

Please check out our website for more information.

Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...

Castello Orsini, Nerola, Italy
Gothenburg, Sweden
Borgo Santo Pietro, Italy
Sofiero Gard, Helsingborg, Sweden
Le Domaine d'Essendiéras, France
Arta, Mallorca
Campos, Mallorca
Restaurant Merkelbach, Amsterdam
Montpellier, France
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Paris, France
Quissac, France
Vitznau, Switzerland
De Vere Wokefield Estate
Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire
Stokes Farm Barn, Wokingham
Frame Farm, Kent
Cider Mill Barns, Stratford
Queen's House, Greenwich
Old Hall, Lincoln's Inn, London
The Bedford, London
The Brewery, London
Merriscourt, Chipping Norton
Carmel Hall, Sittingbourne
Trafalgar Tavern, London
Esher Theatre, Surrey
Stone Barn, Cheltenham, UK

What our couples say...

"Absolutely fantastic - we had an outside ceilidh in pretty challenging weather conditions and Ceilidh Twist were absolutely superb. The music was brilliant, the instructions perfectly pitched and they got everyone up and dancing - we and our guests loved it."
— Laura Smallcombe, wedding at Queen's House, Greenwich, London, UK

View more videos and read verified reviews of Ceilidh Twist ➡️

2. Paragon Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,452 (as of April 2024)
Location: London & Sussex

Paragon Ceilidh Band is a fantastic ceilidh and covers band to hire for weddings and all other occasions!

In the 15 years since the band was born we have built up the enviable reputation of being one of the best bands on the UK function scene.

Our exceptionally wide repertoire ranges from cool, dinner jazz, themed evenings, popular party songs and styles from the 1950s through the '60s, '70s and '80s, soul, funk and disco to today’s pop hits.

Please take a look at our 2024 SET LIST

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond, Orsett Hall Hotel in Essex and Homme House in Ledbury.

We also offer ceilidh music to really get your party swinging! One of our most popular requests, particularly for weddings, is to perform a couple of ceilidh sets as well as a couple of party sets.

View our list of the UK's best ceilidh bands ➡️

We've played for the Royal Family, BP, BT, Credit Suisse, Ernst and Young, Hanson, Lloyds TSB, as well as numerous other clients. Venues include Claridge's, The Ritz, The Dorchester Hotel, The Gherkin, Gleneagles and St James’s Palace (for a Royal birthday party).

All of our singers and musicians are highly trained professionals with a wealth of experience. We’ve worked with artists including Daniel Bedingfield, Alexandra Burke, Joss Stone, Ms Dynamite, Beverly Knight, John Entwistle, Avril Lavigne, Mavis Staples, Paul Jones, Elizabeth McGovern and Katie Melua, have recorded on numerous albums and played in West End shows and for radio, TV and film.

The size of the line-up is adaptable to your needs: between 4 players (guitar, bass, drums and female vocalist) and 6 players (additional keyboards and/or second vocalist) for most occasions, with the option of a 3-piece brass section. If a smaller line-up is required we can play all your favourite dinner jazz and easy listening songs as a duo or trio.

Although we are based in London, we are available to travel throughout the UK and particularly in the South East of England, including to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...

Orsett Hall Hotel, Essex
Bruisyard Hall, Woodbridge
Homme House, Much Marcle
Drayton Court, London, UK
Rivervale Barn, Yateley, UK
Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond
Leadenhall Market, London, UK
The Brewery, London, UK
Eastfields Farm Barns, Bedford
Halfmoon Farm, Oakham
The Landmark Arts Centre
Petersfield
Manningtree
Sevenoaks, UK
Bowerchalke, Salisbury
Northampton, UK
Yeovil, Somerset, UK

What our couples say...

"Hi, I just wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of Tom and me for such an amazing evening wedding reception. The dance floor was never empty and all the guests commented on how great the band was. The ceilidh was enjoyed by all, those who have done many and those who have never. The instructions were so clear, the dances ran smoothly and everyone joined in. From the first to the last dance the evening was unforgettable. Once again thank you so much! Sarah & Tom."
— Sarah & Tom Simpson, wedding at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, UK

View more videos and read verified reviews of Paragon Ceilidh Band ➡️

3. Willow Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,602 (as of April 2024)
Location: London

Willow Ceilidh Band perform lively Scottish, Irish, English & Welsh folk music at weddings and events in London, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and beyond.

With fiddles, accordion, guitar & expert caller to teach the dances, we're a young, energetic and modern ceilidh band...guaranteed to get you dancing!

The band is particularly in demand at destination weddings in Europe. They have recently performed in Tuscany, Italy and have upcoming weddings in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

What our couples say...

"We hired the band for our London wedding, where the majority of guests were English! We (and the beginners!) really appreciated the clarity of steps, and found the caller really engaging. We didn't get through as many dances as you might at a ceilidh in the north of Scotland, but that was to the benefit of the guests at our event! Worth noting also that we were really grateful for the gender neutrality of the instructions when it came to paired dancing - something we'd not heard before, but an important modernization to be inclusive of all. Thank you, Willow Ceilidh Band!"
— Ross & Emily Martin, wedding at 100 Barrington, London

View more videos and read verified reviews of Willow Ceilidh Band ➡️

4. The London Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,000 - £2,000 (as of April 2024)
Location: London

The London Ceilidh Band will put a sparkle into your event.

There is a vitality to our sound that encourages people to get up and dance.

Whether it's a wedding, a student social or a community fundraiser, we will give it a professional touch.

The band has performed for a variety of events in a huge range of venues from village halls to stately homes and aircraft hangars to exclusive country hotels.

Here are just some of the locations where we have been booked by clients on FixTheMusic for weddings and events...

The Honourable Artillery Company
The Milestone Hotel & Residences
Cecil Sharp House
Mycenae House, Greenwich
Unilever World HQ, London
Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
East Dulwich Tavern, London
Colliers Wood Community Centre
Battle, UK

View more videos and read verified reviews of The London Ceilidh Band ➡️

5. Ramnee Ceilidh Band
Average booking price: £1,829 (as of April 2024)
Location: London

With high profile performances for the likes of HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Country Life, ITV, E4, Netflix original series 'The Crown' (2 Golden Globes) feat. Claire Foy, Matt Smith and John Lithgow and performing with celebs such as John Barrowman, the award-winning Ramnee Ceilidh Band are by far the must-have feature of any Celtic event.

We have supported Sister Sledge, Supergrass and T'Pau, as well as the cast of Made in Chelsea (who we won a BAFTA with).

We have taken celebrities James Corden, Ant & Dec, Jonathan Wilkes, Edith Bowman and even Tom Smith (Editors) through the steps of ceilidh dancing.

Renowned as a funky and exciting dance band with a wide range of influences, they have taken the key elements of Scottish & Irish tradition and moulded a new fresh Celtic blend with well-known covers...irresistible to dance to.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Ramnee Ceilidh Band ➡️

6. Keep Calm and Ceilidh
Average booking price: £1,000 - £2,000 (as of April 2024)
Location: London

One of the most popular, versatile, successful and affordable traditional ceilidh bands based in London, Keep Calm and Ceilidh perform live Irish, Scottish, English and American music, dance and songs throughout south east England and beyond.

They go out as anything from a duo to a six-piece amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller.

Founded by Mick (Guitar/vocals) in 1998 the band has many years success including performances for Mick Jagger and Robert Smith of The Cure.

View more videos and read verified reviews of Keep Calm and Ceilidh ➡️

Receive quotes from ceilidh bands in London

We hope you've enjoyed reading this list of the best ceilidh bands London has to offer in 2024.

At FixTheMusic, we list top-quality ceilidh bands that have been selected by invitation only.

When you submit an enquiry, you'll receive quotes directly from available bands so you can compare them by watching their videos, reading their reviews and by asking them any questions you might have via our secure messaging system.

FixTheMusic is free to use – we're a secure platform for liaising with and booking outstanding musicians worldwide

Some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about hiring a ceilidh band for your wedding or event...

How much does it cost to hire a ceilidh band in London?

Ceilidh bands usually charge about £350 per musician, so a 3-piece ceilidh band would cost roughly £1,050 and a 4-piece ceilidh band would cost approximately £1,400. As with all musicians, price depends on several factors, not least how far they will need to travel to reach your venue. Bands will generally quote an all-in price (which includes all expenses) or quote their performance fee with expenses clearly detailed.

How long do ceilidh bands perform for at weddings and events?

They usually perform 2 or 3 sets of 45-minutes, or something similar to this. Any longer is not recommended as the live music at any event should not be overused or it doesn't have maximum effect. Also consider that performing ceilidh music (and indeed the dancing that goes with it!) is a physical activity for both musicians and guests. Breaks in between sets can be around 30 minutes.

What music do ceilidh bands perform?

They perform the standard ceilidh dances, from the Scottish and Irish traditions. Famous dances include The Dashing White Sergeant, The Gay Gordons, Canadian Barn Dance, Highland Schottische, The Military Two Step and the Pride of Erin Waltz.

Do they perform pop & rock covers like a standard wedding band do?

About half of ceilidh bands just perform the traditional Scottish and Celtic dances, but some also perform pop & rock covers...these bands are often referred to as "Ceilidh and Covers Bands". They tend to perform a set of traditional music followed by a pop & rock party set to finish the night off.

Most of my guests aren't experienced ceilidh dancers. Will the ceilidh band teach my guests the dances?

Yes! Nearly all ceilidh bands feature a "caller" who will guide your guests through the moves. The band will usually take a few minutes to explain the dances, followed by the actual performance. The caller explaining the dances is a really fun and interactive part of the entertainment, and of course, it means that less experienced guests can take to the dance floor!

Do ceilidh bands bring their own equipment?

Ceilidh bands will bring all of their own instruments, and sometimes their own PA system and lighting. However, this is not always the case, so you may need to provide a PA system and lighting based on their specifications. Most bands usually charge less if they require the client to provide some equipment.

Which musical instruments do ceilidh bands consist of?

There is a huge amount of variety in the instrumentation of ceilidh bands. Most bands will include a violin (fiddle), an acoustic guitar and a drum kit to set the rhythm. However, several other instruments are often added, including accordion, piano or keyboard, bagpipes, flute or tin whistle and bass guitar.

How much space does ceilidh dancing require?

The band itself will require about 3m by 5m area, but ceilidh dancing takes up a lot of space...much more than a typical disco dance floor, so it's best to clear away tables and chairs to provide the maximum space available.

Do ceilidh bands take requests?

There are only a handful of ceilidh dances, and bands will know their repertoire to a very high standard. It's best to leave the set list to the band's own. discretion. For ceilidh and covers bands, they may be able to accommodate some requests in their covers set.

FixTheMusic is a one-stop shop for booking outstanding professional musicians – and it's completely free for you to use.

Fill in the enquiry form to receive offers directly from hand-picked musicians. Once you've confirmed details with your preferred act, book and pay securely through our secure online checkout.

Adam Southall

Adam is a co-founder of FixTheMusic and works on everything from copywriting and marketing to design and user experience. He studied Music at Cambridge University. Adam is a keen pianist, and also learned cello and trumpet from an early age.

The Top 6 Best Ceilidh Bands in London (With Prices)

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