Hire Bowreed | Ceilidh band in Bristol

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From£1748.75

1 hour

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About Bowreed

High energy live ceilidh band with expert caller. Packed dancefloors, zero awkwardness, fabulous dancing fun.

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Ceilidh band

Bristol

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Bowreed is a professional ceilidh band for weddings, parties and corporate events across the UK. We combine top tier live musicians with a clear, confident caller so everyone can join in, no experience needed. We read the room, keep the energy high, and make the whole evening flow smoothly from first dance to final track. Flexible lineups, full sound system provided, and nothing for you to run or worry about. If you want a packed dancefloor and a night people actually remember, that’s what we do.

Bowreed

5 out of 5

6 verified reviews

Bowreed's Reviews

5 out of 5

Bowreed were exceptional - all our guests had the most amazing time.

5 out of 5

Bowreed played a ceilidh at my wedding at Oxford Town Hall, and Fred Holden also did the sound (setting up and looking after microphones for speeches) on the day. Their performance at both was absolutely fantastic. Multiple guests told me the ceilidh was the highlight of the night, and this was often their first ceilidh. Delegating the sound to Fred on the day was among the best decisions we made - it would have been so much more complex and stressful without him. Atop the skill and execution though, I would also like to single out Bowreed's flexibility and professionalism. On the day we unfortunately had to adjust the ceilidh performance to be shorter than originally planned, condensing from 2 sets to 1, as dinner took longer than thought. Fred and the band however were incredibly flexible, able to make adjustments on the fly and generally being very understanding. So, if you're up for a dance, I recommend hiring Bowreed wholeheartedly.

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Bowreed's Song list

1. Gay Gordons

2. Dashing White Sergeant

3. Strip the Willow

4. Canadian Barn Dance

5. Virginia Reel

6. Circassian Circle

7. St Bernard’s Waltz

8. Military Two Step

9. Riverside Jig

10. Hooligan’s Reel

11. Eightsome Reel

12. Swedish Masquerade

13. Cumberland Square Eight

14. Britannia Two Step

15. Borrowdale Exchange

16. Pride of Erin Waltz

17. Troika

18. Duke of Perth

19. Reel of the 51st

20. Swedish Masquerade

21. Orcadian Strip the Willow

22. Witches Reel

23. Flyin’ Scotsman

24. Pride of Erin Waltz

25. Horse’s Mane

26. Devoran Barndance

27. Dinky Troika

28. Jonny’s Birthday Reel

29. Wagon Wheel

30. Woodland Valley Romp

31. All Couples Round

32. Champion Reel

33. Head of the Room Waltz

34. Four Hand Reel

35. Six Hand Reel

36. Longways Set

37. Seven Hand Reel variants

38. Circle Waltz

39. Highland Schottische

40. Two Step

41. Sausage Machine

42. Swedish Line Up

43. Packhorse Rant

44. Camden Reel

45. Big Circle Do-Si-Do

46. Anchor Reel

47. Figure of Eight Reel

48. Cross Chain Reels

49. Progressing Waltz

50. Ask Reel

Bowreed's Prices

Last updated: 2026

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Duration	Price
Up to 1 hour	£1748.75
Up to 2 hours	£1748.75
Up to 3 hours	£1748.75

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Inclusivity, attention to detail and the sense that their event has our full focus from start to finish. Our organisation is second to none and we make the process feel easy. On the night, the caller draws everyone in and we have never failed to get a room dancing, with consistently glowing reviews afterwards.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

We have played at wedding venues across the UK, from country houses and barns to major city spaces. Well known venues include The Peninsula London, the Adelphi Theatre as part of a touring theatre production, and Bristol Beacon, alongside hundreds of private celebrations nationwide.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Glastonbury Festival stands out. It was a huge crowd and an incredible atmosphere. We had an absolute blast and it remains one of those special nights that reminds us why we love what we do.

Can you perform covers?

We specialise in traditional and contemporary ceilidh music rather than pop or function band covers. If you would like chart or party classics later in the evening, we can provide a disco or full DJ add on to carry things on seamlessly.

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes. We offer Compact with 2 musicians and caller, Classic with 3 musicians and caller, Custom with 4 musicians and caller, and Complete with 5 musicians and caller. Each keeps the same caller led format and professional standard, simply scaled to suit the room and atmosphere.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

No problem. We understand that events evolve as plans come together. We are used to adjusting set times and structure where needed, and we will always work with you to keep the evening running smoothly.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes. We can provide relaxed folk background music between sets, and we also offer disco or full DJ add ons afterwards to continue the night. We run everything through our own system so it feels seamless.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually require around 60 minutes to set up and soundcheck. We arrive in good time and coordinate directly with the venue so everything is ready well before guests are invited onto the floor.

Do you provide a caller?

Yes. Every package includes an experienced caller who guides everyone clearly through the dances and keeps the energy relaxed and inclusive.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

We do not work from a fixed set list. Our caller reads the room and shapes the dances to suit the crowd. We have been doing this a long time and it consistently creates the best flow and keeps everyone involved. You are welcome to request specific dances, and we will include them!

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA) included in your quote?

Yes. All amplification and sound equipment is included. We are fully insured and all equipment is PAT tested.

Musicianship

Genres:

Ceilidh, Folk, Irish rock, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional English folk

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Types:

Ceilidh band, Folk band, Celtic folk band

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Event types:

Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Private event, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

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