Ceilidh band

Monkey See Monkey Do

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(5.0)Read all 17 reviews
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About Monkey See Monkey Do

Folk and Ceilidh band available for Weddings and Functions
Ceilidh band
Southampton
Public liability insurance of £1 million
Verified profile

Monkey See Monkey Do comprises up to four musicians on fiddle, guitar, clarinet and bodhran. They are available for concerts and ceilidhs, together with their experienced and fun-loving caller. The band work together to create arrangements of folk songs and tunes as well as writing material of their own. Their main influences are from English and Irish folk songs, with a few European folk tunes thrown in for good measure! Since 2015, Monkey See Monkey Do has performed at a number of prestigious venues across the south of England, including Winchester Folk Club, The Fo’c’sle Folk Club and Folklights. Having taken time to hone their repertoire since the release of their EP, ‘Colouring Outside the Lines’ (2014), the band has since released their debut album, ‘The Night Out’ (2018) available on all good streaming platforms. Monkey See Monkey Do are perform at major folk festivals including Purbeck Valley Folk Festival and The South Downs Folk Festival. Review of their album, The Night Out: “A cracking album” – Mike Harding (ex-host of the BBC 2 Folk Show) “Thoroughly enjoyable” – Songlines Magazine “A genuine delight” – FATEA Records

Encore badges
5th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 5 years
25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional English folk
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types

Monkey See Monkey Do's Song list

Songs
• Johnny Come Lately
• Little Sister
• Tom Paine's Bones
• John Barelycorn
• 45 Years from Now
• Boys of Bedlam
• Star of the County Down
• Galway Girl
• Trampas Woodbine
• Bee’s Wing
• Folsom Prison Blues
• Dirty Old Town
• Johnny No Legs
• Fat Bottomed Girls
• Sweet Child O’Mine
• The Way I Tend to Be
• Wagon Wheel
• Alexander the Great
• Pound a Week Rise
• Second Best
• Piquer la Baleine
• Like a Hobo
• I Used to Love Her
• Country Life
Tunes
• Superfly
• June Apples
• Da Lounge Bar
• Fractals
• Farewell to Erin
• Hanley’s Tweed
• Last Night’s Fun
• Traveller’s Joy
• Tam Lin
• The Occasional
• The Pleasures of Salisbury
• The Road to Errogie
• MacArthur Road
• Frank's Reel
• The Savage Hornpipe
• Barbara Allen Hornpipe
• The Danish Reel
• Iron Legs
• The Night Out
• The Hangover
• Morpeth Rants
• Spootiskerry
• Catharsis
• The Plane Tree
• Horizonto
• Jiggery Pokerwork
• Gravel Walk
• Musical Priest
• Farewell to Whalley Range
• Shepherd & Shepherdess
• Maiden Lane
• Farewell to Portsmouth
• Donegal Lass
• Bussen
• Out on the Ocean
• Lisnagun Jig
• Drummond Castle
• The Morpeth Rants
• The Hesleyside
• Stool of Repentance
• The Eavesdropper
• The Mooncoin
• Banish Misfortune
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The key to a great ceilidh is that everyone feels involved, and the fun and vibrant energy complements the day's celebrations. Our clients frequently tell us they couldn't resist the urge to get up and dance once the tunes begin!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

We've performed at a number of venues including Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Wimborne Folk Festival Chester Folk Festival Larmer Tree Gardens Rhinefield House Hotel Lulworth Castle East Afton Farmhouse The Bear of Rodborough and many more... and that's just in 2023!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

As a band with a strong focus on traditional repertoire, we are steeped in the classics from Bellowhead, Whapweasal and Faustus to Mad Dog McRae. Ceilidh tunes from across the British Isles are the lifeblood of our set, but for the right event we can even slip in a little Johnny Cash or Queen.

Can you perform covers?

We have a range of modern songs we're happy to perform in addition to the traditional Ceilidh music. However, we are not a covers band.

Do you have different line-up options?

Our standard line-up is: fiddle, guitar, clarinet and bodhran + caller (for ceilidhs). However, if you would like a particular instrument, just let us know as we often collaborate with other musicians.

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?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and we are able to provide background music inbetween sets as part of the service. Although we do not offer a DJ service, we are able to offer a disco service using our lights, together with a pre-prepared playlist from a phone, for an additional fee.

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!

Do you provide a caller?

Yes we do! We have a fantastic caller as part of our Ceilidh band who teaches the dances throughout the evening, in a fun and inclusive way so that everyone can join in. It is always a lot of fun!

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) included in your quote?

Yes! We provide all of the equipment that we need to perform and this is included in the quote.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we may be able to do this for you so please do ask.

Monkey See Monkey Do's Prices

Last updated: 2024

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£0
Up to 2 hours£0
Up to 3 hours£0
Packages
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Ceilidh4 musicians
This package includes music as guests are taking their seats for the service, during the signing of the register, and entertainment during a drinks reception immediately afterwards. The fun continues later in the evening as an additional musician join us and a caller takes your guests through a high-energy and fun ceilidh experience. We are able to offer a disco service using our lights together with a pre-prepared playlist from a phone, free of charge for the first hour and £50 per half hour thereafter. - 1 x 45 min concert performance before the ceremony - 1 performance during the signing of the register - 1 x 45 min concert performance during the drinks reception - 2 x 45 min ceilidh sets during your evening celebration.
£1600

Add-ons

Disco service (per half hour)
+£50
Monkey See Monkey Do
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5 out of 5
17 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Monkey See Monkey Do's Reviews

From Encore customers:

MG
Mr B
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Monkey See Monkey Do were outstanding at our wedding. Seamless set-up, a great caller, and really well played music (according to those in the crowd far more musically educated than I am!). Can't recommend them enough.

Reply from Monkey See Monkey Do
4 months ago

Thank you for having us at your wedding, George. It was an absolute pleasure to play for such a lovely crowd of dancers. Many congratulations to you both!

CM
Clare M
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Everything was great. The guests loved the ceilidh - lots of enthusiastic feedback about how good it was.

Reply from Monkey See Monkey Do
6 months ago

Thank you for having us Clare. We had a great time and many congratulations to you both!

RM
Ruth M
11 months ago
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5 out of 5

A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable evening was had by all. A wonderful, lively and talented band. Thank you so much!

Reply from Monkey See Monkey Do
6 months ago

Thanks Ruth. It was wonderful to play for you!

MJ
Meg J
11 months ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely excellent, thanks so much for such a brilliant, fun and memorable evening!

Reply from Monkey See Monkey Do
11 months ago

Thanks for having us Meg and congratulations again to you and Mark! We had a fantastic time. Wonderful to play to such a lovely crowd - we were particularly impressed with your baskets during the ceilidh!

Read all 13 reviews

From other customers:

CH
Claire H
5 years ago, for a Wedding in New Forest National Park
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5 out of 5

Thank you so much for organising a fantastic ceilidh on Saturday night for our daughter's wedding party - your music was just what we needed and you had everyone up and dancing!! We've had loads of lovely comments from our guests and I will certainly be recommending you if anyone is after a band!!

HK
Hayley K
5 years ago, for a Wedding in Lyndhurst Rd
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5 out of 5

"Fantastic music. A really special addition to our big day!"

Read all 4 reviews