Fruin Ceilidh Band are a lively fiddle-led band, with driving rhythms to get you up dancing and having a great night!
Based near Loch Lomond, Fruin Ceilidh Band are happy to travel to play at events throughout Scotland, Europe and the rest of the world. They bring a wealth of experience from years of playing and ‘calling’ (teaching) the dances to ensure that everyone can join in and enjoy themselves. Over the years the band have played at many events for people who have never tried ceilidh dancing before and the band enjoys interacting with the crowds and keeping things fun and friendly so everyone has a good time.
Here are some answers to some common questions we are asked:
How long do you play for?
We generally find that ceilidhs work best for three to four hours with a break or two, but each event is different and we try to work out what is best for you.
What is your line up?
We usually we play as two piece band – a fiddler and guitarist, but if you wish a bigger band we can cater to your needs with extra musicians (piper, clarsach etc.)
Do you have a sound system?
Yes, we have a PA (sound system.) All our equipment is PAT tested and we have public liability insurance.
How long do you need to set up?
We need roughly 30mins to set the PA up and have a sound check.
Do you play covers? / DJ?
We only play Scottish music but if you would like to play a playlist through our sound system we can do that and by choosing your favourite tracks that can make the night even more personal.
What does the band need on stage?
We need power and two armless chairs (more chairs depending on how many musicians you book)
Do you take a deposit?
Yes, we take a £50 deposit to confirm a booking and then the rest is to be paid on the night of the gig in cash/cheque or before hand by online banking.
How far will you travel? / Do you need accommodation?
We are happy to travel around Scotland and throughout the world. When we can we will drive back after a ceilidh but sometimes we need accommodation if it’s quite a distance. Get in touch with some information and we can let you know.
What do you need to know when I contact you?
We are happy to be contacted by email or phone, but it’s best if you can email us information so we both have a record of it all in writing. We need to know your name, the date, address and type of event. From there we can chat and try to cater to your needs.
What happens if our guests get tired during the ceilidh? A big part of being a ceilidh band is judging how the audience are doing during the night and deciding on what dances to do depending on how they are feeling. We alternate between faster and slower dances, couples and set dances. We can also add in some ‘listening’ sets if it looks like the audience would like a few minutes rest.
As well as the ceilidh, would you play for anything else? Yes, we can play for wedding ceremonies and for background music for drinks receptions, meals etc. Our fiddler is a composer so you could even have a tune commissioned for your special event which can be a lovely present or something unique to mark an occasion. Please get in touch to have a chat about any other ideas.
Things to think about:
If you are running a public ceilidh (fundraiser etc) please give us details as we are happy to advertise on our social media pages, we have a lot of people who like ceilidhs who follow us!
If you are making a poster for your event please let us know if you would like us to email you a publicity photo or any information about the band.