Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?

Subject: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Alexis
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 11:06 AM

I know the festival season has a long way to go still, but who are the best Ceilidh Band of the year so far? and who are the best up and coming?

Blackbeard's Teaparty has been very successful this and last year Steamchicken ditto, and perhaps a few years before as well.

"Older" bands such as Random, Climax Ceilidh band seem to have been usurped perhaps?

Any thoughts? ( I am also thinking towards who I book for next year!)

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: alex s
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 11:34 AM

Oh boy, I can see where this is going...

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Alexis
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 01:11 PM

pray enlighten

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 07:18 PM

Old Swan Band ! one of the very first and STILL the best by far! Great gig at Dartmoor Festival last weekend

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 02:24 AM

I am amazed every time I go out with a local band, at how privileged I am. I work with several, all excellent and all different. Millstone Band, Three Point Turn, White Knuckle Ride, Black Cat, Fiddlestrum, High Jinks (in no particular order). Probably unknown outside their area but a pleasure to listen to.
Never mind the 'big names', three cheers for the bands that enliven the 'general public' at weddings and PTAs.

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 04:24 AM

Exactly Mo. Why 'festival' bands? My own band (Unreel) has been working solidly through June and July and, after a holiday break this month, is down to more solid work again in September. All mainly weddings and parties and not a festival in sight. And we're now taking bookings for next spring and summer.

A lot of this work comes from our website - but a lot also comes our way from word of mouth, with satisfied clients recommending us to other potential clients.

So, frankly, "best" Ceilidh band this year probably requires some definition qualification... :-)

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 06:48 AM

Some interesting history on Wiki. IMHO it doesn't matter to whom or at what type of finction the bands play, it's the music/dance genre that is definitive, as witnessed by Will.

In my experience, they're all good fun.

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 06:50 AM

Finction? Function! (But at least I spelled it with a "c"!

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 07:29 AM

I like Finction, Pete - when we run out of functions, we can play some finctions!

Alexis, I'm not really knocking your initial post - but perhaps "Best ceilidh band seen at festivals so far this year" is probably more what you're looking for. Can't help there, unfortunately, as I don't go to festivals.

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: alex s
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 10:00 AM

Thank you, Mo x

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 11:16 AM

LOL, Will, the band can play air guitar/accordian/pipes, etc!

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Alexis
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 04:30 AM

Will
Quite agree - I am looking more towards the Festival element. I haven't managed that many festival this year either, let alone gone to ceilidhs at those I did attend.
However, am looking for ideas / recommendations for next year's Festival, so any bands suggested would be gratefully researched a bit more!
thanks

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Vic Smith
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 09:34 AM

When Ian Kearey left the Oyster Band all those years ago and moved to Brighton, we immediately asked him to join our band - we had a full programme of Friday & Saturday wedding and PTA type gigs.
After about two months, Ian told us that he has been doing some sums. He calculated the money earned per hour of gigging & travelling with both bands and found that he was earning twice as much per hour with the Sussex Pistols*.
No fame and publicity in his new band, however, as he was now working in an almost totally invisible scene. However, he is still in our line-up.

* Having said that, the Pistols have played a fair few festival ceilidhs over the years. We play at Tenterden in a few weeks time.

Subject: RE: Review: Best Ceilidh band this year ?
From: Vic Smith
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 09:39 AM

Mike wrote:-
"I don't go to Festivals."

Perhaps you should and hear other bands and callers. Another of the Unreels was bopping away like a good 'un to my calling at the Sussex Ceilidh at Whitby.