Folk band

Dragons Breath

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About Dragons Breath

With their unique blend of musicianship, Dragons Breath leave a lasting impression, weaving Welsh spirit into every melody they play.
Folk band
Cardiff
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Dragons Breath, rooted in South Wales, captivate audiences with dynamic folk music. Our repertoire spans from lively dance tunes to heartfelt ballads, reflecting both joy and sorrow. We have performed at festivals, folk clubs, ceilidhs, and traditional Welsh twmpathau, as well as weddings, fundraisers, street parties, and private gatherings across Wales and beyond. With soul-stirring melodies and rhythmic energy, Dragons Breath unite audiences through music, celebrating life, love, and shared experiences. Dragons Breath is a group of five seasoned musicians, each with over 30 years of performance experience. All members are multi-instrumentalists, and four are vocalists, allowing for a diverse range of musical arrangements. Formed 30 years ago as a ceilidh band, we initially came together to navigate early parenthood. Most of us were experienced folk dancers, with four performing in dance sides at folk festivals across Britain in the 80s and 90s. This background gives our ceilidh tunes a strong rhythmic foundation and enables us to support novice dancers by adjusting tempo and extending sections as needed. We collaborate with various callers and take pride in being friendly and approachable. We also provide our own PA system and have Public Liability Insurance through the Musicians’ Union. Even experienced dancers need a break, so we developed a concert repertoire to entertain during rest periods. Drawing from our personal collections, we rearranged and expanded songs to suit the band format. Our constantly growing setlists fall into three main themes: social conscience, historical reference, and humour. This variety inspired us to describe our music as a "rich tapestry," blending instruments and voices in ever-evolving combinations.

Dragons Breath
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4.7 out of 5
3 verified reviews

Dragons Breath's Reviews

From customers:

JA
Jon A
4 months ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Wye Valley Centre
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4 out of 5

I write from both the perspective of an organiser of musical events - most prominently the Folk on the Lawn festival - and a plaudit, having enjoyed listening to (and dancing to!) Dragons Breath. The band is an accomplished one, as a collective but also via the talented individual members who bring their own expertise and influences to the line up. Whether it be a concert performance or a ceilidh/twmpath, Dragons Breath have never disappointed, bringing passionate delivery to the former and solidity and competence to the latter. With Folk on the Lawn, the band is our 'go to' with regard to bringing an urgent, but friendly, contemporary regaling of traditional songs and tunes.

JM
James M
1 year ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Bridge St
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Dragons Breath are amazing. Their performances are steeped in story and musicality in equal measure. An evening with them is an evening being transported to somewhere far away, a place of nostalgia and myth, of legend and longing; it is a call to a home that is deep within each of us, yet always just out of reach.

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This act has been working with Encore for over a year

Dragons Breath's Song list

Folk Songs
Gaol Song
Bedlam Boys
Spanish Ladies
Step It Out, Mary
The Battle
Ciel d'Automne & I Hold Your Hand In Mine
Stanley & Dora
Sally, Free and Easy
Gentleman Soldier
Soldier Boy
Michael Turner's Waltz & Don't Let Us Get Sick
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime
Jackie Tarr/Sportsman's Hornpipe
John Frost's Lament
Davey Lowriston
Captain’s Apprentice
Balloon Girl
Herring Girl
Halting March
Tom Paine's Bones
The Hiring
May and Might Never
Polly on the Shore
Valerie
Captain Heapy & Dwr Glan
Ceilidh Tunes
Zelda & Tarantella Napolitana
Road to Lisdoonvarna & Calliope House
South, South West
Prifysgol Abertawe set
Banish Misfortune
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Blackthorn Stick
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Jig of Slurs & Atholl Highlanders
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New Rigged Ship & Off She Goes
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News of the Victory & Shave the Monkey
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Road to Lisdoonvarna & Calliope House
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Seven Stars
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Swallowtail Jig
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Unfortunate Rake set
Ffanniglen
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Ffidl Ffadl &
Dafydd Ifan Tomos
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Flowers of Edinburgh
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King of the Fairies
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Marching Down Broadway
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Robertson’s
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Soldiers’ Joy
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South, South West
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Twiglet
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Ty Coch
College
& Reedesdale
Foxhunters
Ffarwel Marian

Dragons Breath's Prices

Last updated: 2025

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

Standard Prices
DurationPrice
Up to 1 hour£437.50
Up to 2 hours£812.50
Up to 3 hours£1250
Packages
No PA provided x 1hr5 musicians1 hour
1 hour of live music, PA provided by venue/client.
£250
No PA x 2hrs5 musicians2 hours
Up to 2 hours live music, PA provided by venue/client.
£437.50

Add-ons

Chamber Folk set
+£125
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

A fantastic night—music that was both unusual and approachable, with clever arrangements and rich sound. The band’s humour and easy dance calls made it unforgettable.”

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Baskerville Hall, Clyro; Manorbier Castle; St Brides Hotel, Saundersfoot; Cardiff City Hall; Miskin Manor, Cardiff; Llansantffraed Court, Abergavenny; Lines Taproom, Usk: Forest of Dean Folk Club, Orlepool Inn, Sling; Brecon Foundry, Brecon Muse; Bourton's, Bargoed; BGFM radio, Mitcheldean Church; Newport Shanty Festival; Folk On The Law, Tintern;

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Bellowhead, Committee Band, Nic Jones, Tickled Pink, Bella Hardy, Strawbs, Granny's Attic, The Longest Johns, Oyster Band, Cyril Tawney, Show of Hands, Bill Caddick, John Kirkpatrick, Alistair Anderson, Sam Sweeney, Chris Foster, Warren Zevon, WA Mozart, Huw Williams, La Bottine Souriante, Tom Lehrer, Paul Sartin, Vin Garbutt, Kipper Family, Zumzeaux.

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

Brecon Jazz Fringe festival

Do you have different line-up options?

Occasionally we gig without our bass player as quartet, prices adjusted accordingly.

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

We always try to be flexible. If your timings change in the run up to your event please let us know.

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

We provide background music in between our sets. If you would like to connect a a device to play your own music please get in touch.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as our PA is set up we can provide background to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for our live performance!”

Can you roam around while you perform?

We are multi-instrumentalists and often switch instruments during a piece, so generally we need to stay within our 'stage' area.

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

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

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

Our PA is included in our quote unless specified. We don't provide a lighting system, yet. We usually require a minimum of 2.5m x 4m space to perform.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Talk to us, we might already have a version of your tune/song in our personal repertoires.
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Welsh folk, Traditional Scottish folk
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Event types:
Wedding, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Charity event, Concert, Burns night
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