Folk band

Head North

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(5.0)Read all 13 reviews
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About Head North

Hypnotic harmonies, magical melodies, tight tunes & driven rhythms served up with big smiles and bags of energy.
Head North's profile picture
Folk band
Alton
Public liability insurance of £1 million

Having strong Celtic roots, we play a mix of traditional folk tunes and songs along with some of our original compositions. Traditional reels, jigs and marches are given contemporary arrangements, together with rich songs in three-part harmony. Somewhat unusually, our ages range from 20s to early 70s, which makes life interesting and seems to enhance the creative mix. We have all been together for over ten years and have played at a number of great festivals including Larmer Tree, Carfest, Wilderness, Belladrum, Blissfields, Cornbury, and Big Feastival. In addition, we perform at folk nights, charity gigs, weddings and parties, with many an annual repeat. We find that our music truly appeals across the generations, and when performing storming instrumentals and upbeat vocal numbers, it’s not uncommon for the audience to start an impromptu dance wherever they can find space or even leap on a table. The energy lives on for set dances, where we can provide a caller to suit beginners and old hands alike.

Head North
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5 out of 5
10 verified reviews

Head North's Reviews

From customers:

BY
Bob Y
2 years ago, for a Concert in Holybourne Theatre
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5 out of 5

Head North are the only group where we can guarantee a sell-out audience time after time. Their music is uplifting and addictive, it is a real disappointment when the show comes to an end. The enthusiasm and energy of the players displays a real passion and joy from soulful ballads to blistering reels. If you want every guest dancing or tapping their feet, then this group will deliver a set to appeal to all ages.

EU
Elfrid U
2 years ago, for a Wedding in Hereford
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5 out of 5

We were so fortunate to have chosen Head North to perform at our wedding in Herefordshire. Michael and the Head North crew were very professional and easy to work with. It really set the tone for the day when I arrived to get ready in the bridal suit and could hear them practicing. The music was so fitting for the venue – relaxed and joyful. When the live music began after the speeches, the guests commented that this was the highlight. The dancing was a real ice-breaker in bringing together friends from all corners of the globe and our families from Morocco, France and the UK. Ned the caller was very patient in explaining the steps even to those who didn’t speak English as their first language and had a great sense of humour. The variety of the different songs meant that everyone could join in. My only regret is that we couldn’t have had them perform for longer

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Head North's Song list

Ae Fond Kiss
Alexandra Leaving
Animal Reels
Appalachians
Ashokan Farewell
Bamfields JV
Barren Rocks
Belle o Belfast
Bonnie Lass
Both Sides the Tweed
Caroll Rock
Caledonia
Cock 'o the North etc
Come by the Hills
Constant lovers
De'il Amang the Tailors etc
Down in the Willow Gdn
Drams - Strip the Willow
Drunken Piper etc
Fairytale of NY
Galway Girl
Garvelloch Isles
Green Fields of France
Gugahunter set
Haste to the Wedding
Headlands Set
Helen Scott / Dark Island
Macrimmond Inverness/ High Rd / 79th's
Island of St Helena
Irish reels
Islay Ranters reels
Kid on the Mountain etc
Lark in the clear air
Isle of St Helena
Johnny Cope
Leaving of Stoer
Leire's Welcome / Celanova
Long Gone out West
Metis reels
Milky Way etc
Mingulay Boat Song
My Boy Jack
New Rigged Ship etc
New York Girls
Parting Glass
Raggle Taggle Gypsy
Rocky Road to Dublin
Sally’s Wedding
Scandinavian set
Secret Life of Roses
Serena's Wedding
Shetland Reels
Song for Ireland
Sound of Sleat
Sunshine on Leith
Swedish Waltzes
Sweet Sixteen
The Pearl
The Ruby
Touch the Sky
Turkey in the Straw
Two Constant lovers
Whiskey in the Jar
Wild Mountain Thyme

Head North's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1800
Up to 2 hours£1800
Up to 3 hours£1800

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£300
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

High energy sets of tunes interspersed with some spellbinding singing

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Larger festivals include Larmer Tree, Carfest, Wilderness, Belladrum, Blissfields, Cornbury, and Big Feastival,

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

Main stage at Cornbury and Belladrum - albiet early in the day!

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes with 3 vocalists and many different instrumental combinations we can be versatile with the line up and numbers

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

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know

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

Yes - but just an iPod playlist

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as our PA is set up we can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for our live performance

Can you roam around while you perform?

We move around quite a lot, there are plans to go wireless to increase the roaming area but nothing in place as yet

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

Yes

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

PA not lighting

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes - with a charge from £25 to £100 - depending on the complexity of the song or set of tunes
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Folk rock, Irish rock, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk
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Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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