Hire Chimera | Ceilidh band in Manchester

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From£750

1 hour

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Clopton Bridge - Chimera Ceilidh Band with Annie Bolt calling

Buttered Pease - Chimera Ceilidh Band with Annie Bolt calling

About Chimera

A young and punchy folk band based in Manchester - available for gigs and ceilidhs in the North of England and further afield

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Ceilidh band

Manchester

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Formed in 2018, Chimera have been putting their own spin on all things folk and taking Manchester by storm. This five-piece band boasts a line-up of melodeon, violins, cello, trombone, guitar, Irish whistles, Irish flute, and voices. Chimera put the punch and drive in folk tunes from across the UK and beyond, and are guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing with their foot-stomping arrangements. Available for concerts and ceilidhs and any event where a good time is needed! We are an experienced ceilidh band and have our own caller who can call for all types of crowds.

Chimera

5 out of 5

1 verified review

Chimera's Reviews

5 out of 5

Chimera Chimera Chimera! Where to begin? From start to finish, working with this talented band is a breeze. They are quick to reply, polite, professional, and knowledgeable throughout. They really know their stuff; they are always punctual, and their get in/get out is super slick - very self-sufficient (and they send all their paperwork on time!). I never have to worry when they're about - they get the job done brilliantly! They are a very tight group of musicians who get everyone up and dancing! Annie's calling style is very funny and welcomingly inclusive - gone are the gendered days of folk's past, and in are kind, energetic, accessible instructions that help everyone feel welcome. A versatile band who I've had the pleasure of booking on a few occasions and each time I have been amazed by their repertoire and how capable they are at reading the room to deliver the experience that's just right for you and your event. Couldn't recommend them enough.

Encore badges

1st Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over a year

Chimera's Song list

We offer both stage gigs and ceilidhs!

For gigs, our setlists include (but are not limited to):

- SONGS:

-- Tom Paine's Bones

-- Byker Hill

-- Hal-an-Tow

-- Thousands or More

-- Bulgine

-- Oak and Ash and Thorn

-- The Smuggler

-- John Barleycorn

- TUNES (CHIMERA ORIGINALS):

-- Pair of Green Eyes / The Half Row

-- Forgive Me For I Have No Money / The Thorny Field

-- A Pint of Daffodils / Sunset on the Brickworks

-- 17.02 to Preston

-- Stockport Sunshine

-- The Octopus

- TUNES (TRADITIONAL)

-- Britches Full of Stitches / Ffidl Ffadl

-- Rusty Gulley / Jack Lintell's

-- Princess Royal / Old Tom of Oxford / Speed the Plough

-- Lanigan's Ball / Morrison's

-- Catharsis / Devil in the Strawstack

-- Paddy Carey's / Morgan Rattler

Chimera's Prices

Last updated: 2024

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

Performance duration	Price
Up to 1 hour	£750
Up to 2 hours	£875
Up to 3 hours	£1000

Customer questions

Can you perform covers?

We can add folkified covers of songs to our set with enough advance notice. We also have the capacity to play first dance music through our PA system if required.

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

We can be flexible within reason - we’ll ensure you get your full booking’s worth, so that you and your guests have the best time possible.

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

Certainly, we can provide music through the PA system before the ceilidh and between sets. If you require the system for party music afterwards until the end of the evening, this can be arranged for an additional £150.

How much time do you need to set up?

We require access to the venue for an hour before performance to load in PA and sound check. This hour doesn’t necessarily have to be directly before performance, if flexible access times are required.

Do you provide a caller?

Yes we do! Our caller is a noted caller on the English ceilidh scene, who has called at major festivals including Sidmouth Folk Festival, Towersey Folk Festival, and Shrewsbury Folk Festival. If you already have a caller arranged, our caller is also a musician in the band and is included in our fee.

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

We are happy to discuss requests, but we do have a curated setlist we perform from to ensure the best dance experience for you and your guests.

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

Yes, our PA equipment is included in the quote.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

With enough forewarning, we can prepare an arrangement of a requested song, if it is reasonably feasible in the folk style.

Musicianship

Genres:

Ceilidh, Folk, Traditional English folk

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Types:

Ceilidh band, Folk band, Celtic folk band

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Event types:

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

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