Ceilidh Twist
Ceilidh & Covers Band
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London
£2,027 (avg. price)
Booked 102 times on FixTheMusic ⚡
15 Videos & 30 Photos
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About Ceilidh Twist – professional ceilidh and covers band based in London

Ceilidh Twist are a young & vibrant ceilidh and covers band based in London.

We have the experience to know what makes a great ceilidh!

We have several TV credits to our 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.

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

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

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Castello Orsini in Italy, Sofiero Gard in Sweden, Le Domaine d'Essendiéras in France, Restaurant Merkelbach in Amsterdam and Lincoln's Inn in London, UK.

Contact Ceilidh Twist

About Ceilidh Twist – professional ceilidh and covers band based in London

Ceilidh Twist are a young & vibrant ceilidh and covers band based in London.

We have the experience to know what makes a great ceilidh!

We have several TV credits to our 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.

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

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

We're regularly booked to perform for weddings and events at Castello Orsini in Italy, Sofiero Gard in Sweden, Le Domaine d'Essendiéras in France, Restaurant Merkelbach in Amsterdam and Lincoln's Inn in London, UK.

Contact Ceilidh Twist

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15 Videos & 30 Photos
24 Verified Reviews

"Lovely people and a great ceilidh band. Really patient with all of the English people who had no clue and fun had by all!"

Pip Mills, 13 March 2024, party in Cambridge
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, We just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything. The band were amazing and everyone had a great time. Our friends genuinely haven't stopped talking about how much they loved your set and I think you managed to convert quite a few people to Ceilidh music. We would be happy to recommend you guys or give feedback. Thanks again!"

Greg & Nic Oliver, 23 February 2024, wedding in Tunbridge Wells
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Absolutely fantastic ceilidh band. We had the pleasure of having Ceilidh Twist play at our wedding. They were amazing! So incredibly talented and good at what they do. From the first initial enquiry I found them lovely, helpful & accommodating. I couldn’t recommend them enough they were wonderful. Thank you so much for making our day extra special."

Dominique Woods, 6 November 2023, wedding in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, I just wanted to drop you an email to say thank you so much to you and the band for performing at our wedding reception on 9th September. We loved having Ceilidh Twist as part of our wedding celebrations and we've had so many positive comments from our guests saying how much they enjoyed it. You really brought our wedding reception to life! I must also say that your professionalism is brilliant. Thanks again for a great performance!"

Georgina Welsh, 4 October 2023, wedding in Derbyshire
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"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, 17 August 2023, wedding at Queen's House, Greenwich, London, UK
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, We just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you SO much for making our wedding reception so brilliant! You guys were fantastic and everyone loved the ceilidh. It was great to see so many people dancing together who had never met before and to see so many of our friends who avoid a dance floor enjoying themselves. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Gozo. Wishing you well with all your endeavours. Best wishes, Mia and Nick."

Mia & Nick Zammit, 14 April 2023, wedding in Gozo, Malta
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, I hope you are well. I just wanted to send you a note to thank your brilliant musicians on Saturday. They were truly fantastic. I hope we work together again and that we can show you Ashridge House! Thank you once more, Alex."

Alex Foulds, 1 February 2023, event at Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Dear all at Ceilidh Twist, Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for the wonderful musical entertainment at Sean & Victoria's wedding on Saturday. Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity to dance myself, but it was wonderful to watch their family and friends having such fun. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to work together again in the future, but in the meantime wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2023. Kind regards, Mary."

Mary Nunes, 19 December 2022, wedding at Royal Naval Museum, London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Ali, I apologise that it has taken me so long to write this, but I just wanted to say thank you for everything you all did at our wedding. I realise timings slipped and everything did not go completely to plan, however you all did such an amazing job. Everyone that came has commented on how much they enjoyed the ceilidh- it was really amazing. We are so pleased that we had you play at our wedding, and I will always remember how packed the dance floor was during your sets. Again, thank you and I hope our paths cross again in the future!"

Oli & Lydia Turnbull, 1 September 2022, wedding in Tolcross, Sussex
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"The band was superb. Unfortunately the wedding meal overran and we could only enjoy them for a short time. They were professional and established the party in fine Scottish style, getting everyone to their feet and achieving our aim of paying tribute to the happy couple’s Glasgow beginnings - under a moonlit Mallorcan sky. Well done and thank you."

Colin White, 12 August 2022, wedding in Campos, Mallorca
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, Thank you and the rest of the band so much for Saturday. We had an epic day. Everyone was saying how brilliant you guys were with both the ceilidh and the covers so just wanted to say a massive thanks for everything. Hope you got to enjoy Copenhagen a bit as well! Alex."

Alex Wertheim, 24 May 2022, wedding in Helsingborg, Sweden
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Ali, Please thank the band very much for making the evening so fantastic! It was all wonderful and brilliant from your help with all of the planning and logistics, down to the final event. We had such a brilliant time!"

Katie & James Alcott, 6 May 2022, wedding at Pangdean Barn, Sussex
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, Apologies for how long it has taken me to write this email, straight after the wedding we went to Italy for the week so haven’t had a chance to get to my emails. I just wanted to say a huge heartfelt thank you to you and the rest of the band for being so extraordinary on Saturday night, you were all amazing and you definitely made the wedding. I have had so many comments on how amazing you were and how people wished they’d had you for their wedding and for the ones getting married want to use you for their big day. (I’ve passed on your details to a few friends). I hope you had a good time and thank you so much again, you were by far my favourite part of the day. Thank you again."

Amy Yardley, 30 January 2022, wedding at Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, This is just a quick email to thank you, Francesca and the rest of the band for the wonderful Ceilidh last Saturday night. I and my guests had a wonderful time although I think we may have been challenging to instruct - the term 'like herding cats' springs to mind. I hope it was an enjoyable gig for the band. I would also like to thank you personally - since I first phoned you, you have been very helpful, professional, efficient and easy to deal with. I'll be sending you a proper thank you note via snail mail in the next few days. Best Wishes."

Annette Foley, 14 October 2021, birthday party in Bromley, London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"I honestly cannot recommend Ceilidh Twist highly enough. From start to finish they were impeccable. The organising beforehand was so clear and easy. On the night, the band were both lovely and just brilliant. My party (50th) was for about 130 people, all ages and few Scots! The dances were explained so well and in such a friendly way, that everyone felt empowered and inspired to dance all night. It was so wonderful to see the different combinations of friends and family dancing together and really achieving it! The result was a huge success, everyone loved it and had the best fun and since the night I been inundated with messages from the guests saying how much they loved the band and how fantastic the music was."

Roanna Harlan, 19 July 2021, 50th birthday party in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, I just wanted to say thank you for all your help with the ceilidh band for our wedding on Saturday. It was absolutely wonderful and have received so many compliments from my guests. The music was great and the calling was fantastic - you really managed to cater for the absolute beginners and seasoned ceilidh dancers perfectly. I hope all went well from your side and I hope I come across Ceilidh Twist at another event soon! Best wishes."

Gillian & Richard Masters, 10 June 2021, wedding at the RAC Club, London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Dear Ali, We just wanted to drop a note to thank the whole band for doing such a fab job at our wedding at Notley Abbey. Everyone has been saying the ceilidh was amazing and great fun. We had such a wonderful wedding day and now both wish we could re-live it all over again and again. Have a fab Xmas break and please pass on our thanks to the rest of the band. We would recommend them to anyone!"

Niki & Tom Kinski, 20 October 2020, wedding at Notley Abbey, Thame
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, We had an amazing wedding and amazing ceilidh! Please find attached some photos, feel free to use them for whatever. Our guests LOVED it! Thanks."

Hannah Reed, 5 January 2020, wedding in Reading
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Thank you so much for coming all the way to perform at our wedding in Italy! Lots of our guests came to say how great your band was and everyone truly loved it. Your instruction was really gentle, welcoming, and easy to follow. Music was beautiful, filled with energy and cheerful rhythm. We also want to especially thank the guitarist, who kept playing beautiful tunes in the background for so long. It was their first time to even know of ceilidh for many of our international guests from Japan, Australia, and USA, and everyone had a wonderful time. From our initial e-mail exchange to the very day, Ali and the band were extremely helpful to give great suggestions, and accommodating to all of our changes and requests. Your kind support and efficient organisation were excellent and we really enjoyed working with you. Your performance really added so much joy and fun to our evening. We highly recommend them to anyone wishing for a vibrant and lovely band to make a truly happy event!"

Nodoka Nakamura-Gibb, 12 October 2019, wedding at Castello Orsini, Nerola, Italy
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, We would like to thank you for the amazing ceilidh at our wedding and we really appreciate the efforts the band made to come to France. It was a fantastic evening and all the guests had great fun, even though most of them didn't know anything about ceilidh before. Thank you very much again and have a nice evening. Kind regards, Isabella and Tristan."

Isabella Huang, 12 August 2019, wedding at Le Domaine d'Essendiéras, Dordogne, France
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Ceilidh Twist played at our wedding and were absolutely brilliant! Our guests had a wide range of abilities and ages but the ceilidh was really inclusive. The band and caller really helped to get everyone up on the dance floor. Lots of people commented on how much they enjoyed it! We would recommend them to anyone."

Toby Ayre, 25 July 2019, wedding in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Ceilidh Twist played at our wedding in August and were amazing. In the whole lead up to the day they were very professional and communication and responses to our questions were dealt with promptly and in a very friendly manner. As for the actual barn dance, they were fantastic! They are incredibly talented musicians and the caller was great at teaching us the dances quickly. Everyone that we have spoken to after the wedding has said what a fun time they had and how much they enjoyed it. We couldn't recommend them highly enough."

Timothy Hampshire, 29 May 2019, wedding in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Dear Ali, Finally the dust has settled and everyone has gone home, so I am writing to send our sincere thanks to you and your band for your amazing entertainment at our Awards Dinner at The Oakley Court Hotel last Tuesday. I have had so many brilliant comments saying how wonderful you were and how much they enjoyed themselves. I gather the dance floor was pretty full most of the time? I hope we didn’t have too many left feet! It was great for our Russian and Scandinavian colleagues to experience some traditional folk culture and I am only sad that I wasn’t there to take part also. However, I feel I made a fantastic choice! In the meantime, I wish you and your fellow members a lovely Christmas and a successful New Year!"

Sue Hansen, 28 December 2018, corporate Christmas party in Windsor
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic

"Hi Ali, Just a note to say thank you to you and the Band. We had a wonderful evening on the 17th December and the band were great. Please pass on our thanks to them and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Regards."

Karen Jameson, 22 December 2018, Christmas party in London
Verified booking Verified booking on FixTheMusic
Set List

Typical Dances

Dashing White Sergeant
Gay Gordons
Eightsome Reels
Flying Scotsman
Canadian Barndance
Strip the Willow
Cumberland Square Eight

Covers

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Moves like Jagger - Maroon 5
Wake Me Up - Avicii
Can’t Stop This Feelin - Justin Timberlake
Celebration - Cool & the Gang
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars
Rather Be - Clean Bandit
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons
I Wann Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Crazy In Love - Beyonce
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Shut Up and Dance With Me - Walk the Moon
Happy - Pharell Williams
500 Miles - Proclaimers (or Galway Girl for an Irish evening)

See Full Set List
FAQs
Do you do smaller more intimate events as well?We certainly do! We do events of all shapes and sizes and many of the Wedding and Birthday parties we play at are more intimate events, we just have a lot more videos of our larger ones as we tend to only film at our public nights rather than private bookings.
Is it suitable for beginners or a mixed nationality crowd?Definitely! What we do is all geared up for beginners and/or a mixed crowd. We do all the dances that anyone with experience or who learned some ceilidh and country dances at school will know and remember (like Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow) but that are still simple enough to teach to complete beginners! The emphasis is on having fun and being inclusive!
Are you reliable?We’re certainly are! We’re all professional musicians and performers and have built up a great and longstanding reputation in the industry.
How much space do I need for the dancing?This is always a difficult thing to estimate with a ceilidh as the dances are all done in different shapes/formats and involve a lot of movement. A good estimate though is 1m squared per person dancing and we tend to estimate only half your guests maximum dancing at one time. We often work in smaller sized venues and can always make it work, it’s always possible to tailor the dances ever so slightly and shuffle sets about to suit the size or shape of the room.
How long do you play for?For the Ceilidh we offer up to 2 x 75 minute sets + 30 minute break, this is quite long for a lot of events though and we recommend the ideal length particularly for a wedding is 2 x 45 minutes or 60 minute sets. But you’re of course welcome to have the full 3 hours if you’d like When you book the Ceilidh and Covers band option we do a maximum of 2x 45minute sets for the ceilidh + 1 hour party set of pop songs!
What do you wear?Unless requested otherwise ladies wear our famous tartan dresses and gents wear subtle tartan trews and smart black shirts.
Do we have to be Scottish or Irish to have a ceilidh?Definitely not! Ceilidhs are becoming more and more popular and you don’t have to have any Celtic routes to have one, it’s just a great form of unique and inclusive entertainment to have at your wedding and something different your guests will love!
Audio samples
Glasgow Tune
A Hundred Pipers
Polka
The Flying Scotsman
Cumberland Square Eight
The Drunken Piper
Whistle Jigs
Strathspeys
Reels
Hector The Hero
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