Line Up
Normal Band Size
CEILIDH – Our normal line-up is a 5-piece: Caller, Fiddle, Chords, Bass and Drums, but we can also do a 4-piece without the bass player!
COVERS – We usually do cover as a 6-piece with 2 fiddles, but we can also also do the set with out normal 5-piece band too.
Larger Band Size
Our standard 5-piece band is great for any size event, but it’s always fun to have a bigger band! We regularly play as a 6 or 7-piece with extra fiddle or accordion being the most common additions for a Scottish night, or a flute & whistle player is also really popular especially for a more Irish themed evening. We also offer a 9-piece option including a Horn Section!
EXTRA FIDDLE
There’s nothing quite like the sound of lots of fiddles playing together! When playing in unison it can be very powerful and when they start harmonising, vibing off each other and playing in different octaves it can be very exciting!
Having extra fiddles really adds to the sound and can be lots of fun!’
ACCORDION
When you’re looking for that traditional Scottish sound, it’s an Accordion player that you’re looking for! Adding extra tune & chords to the sound, it’s a great addition to the line-up.
FLUTE/WHISTLES
A Flute & Whistle player is a great addition to the band for any event, but works particularly well for an Irish ceilidh for that extra Irish sound!
Our usual flute/whistle player is our very own, multi-instrumentalist Philippe Barnes who studied flute at the University of Limerick gaining a 1st Class MA in Irish Traditional Music. He has played flute on MTV for Shakira, films including ‘The Imposter’, ‘Dark Horse’ & ‘Brothers of War’, ITV, Discovery Channel, TG4, BBC Radio’s 1, 2, 3 4 & 6 and has toured all over the UK, Europe, America & Australia with the David Munnelly Band & Celtic Jazz Funk group All Jigged Out.
BODHRAN
Why not add a Bodhran player to the band for an even fuller rhythm section! This is also a great option for giving the band an extra Irish touch!
If you’ve not heard of a Bodhran before, it’s an incredible instrument – a traditional Irish frame drum that gives an impressive range of tones. When used along side a drum kit it really fills out the sound, both players can drop in and out at different times so you get chance to hear everything separately too!
“…The bodhran was a great idea and worked very well. I hope we can host another Ceilidh soon…” – Pauline & Sam, Party, Wimbledon
HORN SECTION
The most popular option at the moment is to add a Horn Section to the band! This really adds to the modern, funky sound of Licence to Ceilidh – think Tower of Power meets Riverdance!
We can offer a 3-piece horn section: Saxophone, Trumpet & Trombone or a 4-piece including a Baritone Sax. Both options work best with some extra tune players added as well (like fiddle & flute) but this isn’t essential.
