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From£250

1 hour

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The Headlight, Brown Boots

Bluebell Polka, Brown Boots. Martin Clarke & Will Allen

Bó Mhín Na Toitean

About Martin

One of the country's leading fiddle players and ceilidh callers. Award-winning dance musician.

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Fiddler

London

Public liability insurance of £10 million

London-based fiddle player and ceilidh caller. Performs with Brown Boots, Silver Street Ceilidh Band, lead musician for award-winning sword dancers, Tower Ravens. Founder of now global online music-sharing community, Tunesday Tuesdays. Known for his driving rhythm, souring melodies and beautiful, clear tone, Martin plays with an enchanting blend of soulfulness and humour that will draw you in and make you want to move. He has performed at all major folk festivals in England, and when not on-stage he enjoys sharing music with other festival goers with tune sessions in the bar. "I love music and dancing, and more than anything I love getting everyone involved. Playing tunes that people know and feel confident joining in with. Calling ceilidh dances that get everyone up on the dance floor having a go. Putting smiles on people's faces and sharing the joy. These values were fundamental to my mum throughout her life and I want to make her proud by continuing to fulfill these, dancing and making music together."

Martin

5 out of 5

2 verified reviews

Martin's Reviews

5 out of 5

We hired the Hilltop band for a village Barn Dance in Oct 2018. Band arrived early and got set up. They were great fun. The music was spot on and the caller had everyone up and dancing straight away. The hall was packed but the caller adjusted the groups to fit the available space so everyone could take part. We had young children and some senior citizens as well as all ages in between dancing away. Great feedback from the crowd and they were calling for an encore at the end. All in all highly recommended and will look to book them again for next year!

5 out of 5

We had a ceilidh for our wedding anniversary on Saturday and the Hilltop Ceilidh band were fantastic. The guitar and box player were brilliant musicians who set a great beat to dance to and the caller gave clear instructions that meant even the novice dancers were able to understand what they were meant to be doing without over explaining! We will definitely look to book the band again next time we have a party!

Encore badges

8th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Martin's Song list

Repertoire of hundreds of traditional tunes from UK, Ireland and further afield. Jigs, reels, slow airs, hornpipes, marches, strathspeys, schottisches, barn dances etc. A few examples...

Morpeth Rant

Hesleyside Reel

Hexham Races

Three around Three

Bonny Kate

Blue Eyed Stranger

Cuckoo's Nest

Trip to Barnard

Kesh jig

Morrison's

Haste to the Wedding

Cooley's

Foxhunter's

Father Kelly's

Hundred Pipers

The Smith's a Gallant Fireman

The Hut on Staffin Island

Da Lounge Bar

Margaret's Waltz

Midnight on the Water

MacArthur Road

Music in the glen

Merry Blacksmith

Wise Maid

Torn Jacket

Old Bush

Tenpenny bit

Drummond castle

Stool of repentance

Westmorland Waltz

Cumberland Waltz

Britches full of stitches

Mouth of the Tobique

Fair Jenny

Calliope House

Skirmish

The Breakdown

Pat the budgie

Faerie Dance

A life of music

Silver Spire

Silver Spear

Ashokan Fairwell

Little Judique

Rosslyn Castle

Archie's Fancy

Peacock's March

Banish Misfortune

Martin's Prices

Last updated: 2024

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£187.50
Up to 1 hour	£250
Up to 2 hours	£375
Up to 3 hours	£500

Additional musician

I'm happy to book additional musicians - I work with some of the best players on the scene so just ask and we'll propose something that fits your needs.

£350

Musicianship

Genres:

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

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Instruments:

Fiddle, Ceilidh Caller, Violin, Viola, Singer (Tenor)

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Event types:

Concert, Wedding, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party

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Other skills:

Arranger, Orchestrator, Composer, Transcription, MC, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Community music worker

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