I wear ear plugs to ceilidhs these days. The quietest ceilidh band I know are Captain Swing - as the name suggests they are about swing not oumph - very enjoyable non-the-less.

Tickled Pink are a band I would avoid even if it was in my own town. Their attitude is if you don't want volume don't book us. Falling on deaf ears is probably about the size of it. They are too fast to dance to, the human physique has not changed with technology, gravity hasn't altered, only fashion has any degree of freedom.

The amazing thing is the Simon Care Trio play almost archetypical trad and at a volume that you can tolerate. And a very enjoyable bop. Simon is in both.