Folk band

Rachel and Dominic

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(5.0)Read all 7 reviews
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About Rachel and Dominic

Folk tunes and songs on fiddle and guitar with a healthy dose of original flare. We're experts at creating an atmosphere that is just right!
Folk band
Currie

Rachel and Dominic play an exciting, innovative take on traditional songs and tunes from Scotland, Europe and beyond. Rachel Petyt's fiddle sound is raw and expressive, rooted in a passion for improvisation. Dominic Blaikie plays 6-string guitar with sensitivity and dancing melodies unpinned by a driving rhythm. The pair sing with a togetherness that sparkles with their 10 years as a duo. If you're in or around Edinburgh you can often catch them playing in one of the city's finest folk bars, e.g. the Ensign Ewart or the Thistle St Bar. (Get in touch if you'd like to come and hear us before booking - we'll tell you which days we're playing)

Rachel and Dominic
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5 out of 5
7 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

Rachel and Dominic's Reviews

From Encore customers:

JQ
Jo Q
7 months ago
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5 out of 5

We couldn’t have been happier with Rachel and Dominic for our recent wedding. All our guests loved the music and we heard so many positive comments about the great atmosphere created after dinner. They had us up on our feet for the faster tunes! Totally recommend them x

RP
Rebecca P
9 months ago
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5 out of 5

Amazing, great musicians

From other customers:

HW
Hannah W
1 year ago, for a Wedding in The Byre at Inchyra
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5 out of 5

We heard Rachel & Dominic play at a local pub and knew instantly that their music would be perfect for our wedding. The folk music created a lovely atmosphere at our drinks reception and our guests were really impressed! If you are after a unique music experience for your event then Rachel & Dominic are just the right people!

LZ
Lusia Z
1 year ago, for a Wedding in 10 Victoria St
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5 out of 5

Dominic and Rachel are fantastic, talented musicians, simply put. Moreover, they are fantastic people, and it was a great pleasure to work with them. They made my wedding reception very special. All the guests truly enjoyed listening to the lovely traditional tunes, favourite songs, and especially the small surprise which Dom and Rach kindly helped prepare and execute. We wanted to give our guests (who had 0 experience, for the most part) a wee taste of a Scottish ceilidh, and Dom and Rach very kindly accommodated our request by calling a couple of dances and bearing with everyone’s attempts and mild chaos that ensued, offering guidance and encouragement. Everyone had a blast! Easily one of the best decisions made for the wedding was working with Dom and Rach. They communicated and helped form an idea of what songs and tunes will be played. They helped me figure out what would work best, and were receptive to suggestions/requests, even on the day itself. Working with them was a delight.

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Rachel and Dominic's Song list

Traditional Scottish/Irish tune sets of jigs, reel, hornpipes, polkas, marches, strathspeys, etc, etc. We know a LOT of these!
Songs:
Baby, I Love You
Black Hills of Dakota
All of Me
It's Wonderful
Caledonia
Wild Mountain Thyme
I'm confessin' that I love you
Cold Haily Windy Night
Grandfather's Clock
Come back to me in my dreams
Matty Groves
This Old House
Pittenweem Jo
Blue Skies
I Don't Want to Get Married
Can the circle be unbroken?
Molly Malone
Tall Buildings
Dear John
Please Louise
My Window Faces the South
Scots Wha Hae
Back in time
Land of the Leal
Black Eyed Susan
Red Rocking Chair

Rachel and Dominic'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£500
Up to 2 hours£700
Up to 3 hours£800

Add-ons

Learning requested tunes/songs
+£100
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients enjoy our vibrant, exciting and contemporary take on traditional folk music. They tell us that they appreciate our ability to adjust to whatever environment we are placed in, i.e. to float under the atmosphere when required, and to take front and centre if the moment calls for it.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Dunbar Harbour Chapel The Byre at Inchyra Norton House Hotel & Spa Riddle's Court Real Mary King's Close Hopetoun House The Old Fruitmarket Scran and Scallie Thistle Street Bar Ensign Ewart Customs House

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Lau Aidan O'Rourke Fergal Scahill Martin Hayes The Gloaming Denis Cahill Tcha Limberger Stephane Grappelli Django Reinhardt Blowzabella Lunasa The Olllam Townes Van Zandt Gillian Welch Bruce Molsky Tatiana Hargreaves Corn Potato String Band Brittany Haas

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

The Old Fruitmarket @ Celtic Connections 2020

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes, if requested far enough in advance, e.g. 3 months in advance, we can play with the following example line-ups: + another tune player, e.g. fiddle or flute +another chord player, e.g. accordion +percussion player, e.g. snare drum or bodhran +professional ceilidh caller

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?

A device can be plugged into one of our portable amps between our sets, but please be aware that these amps are not the same size as a full PA system. Therefore, the sound will be at the volume of a portable amp. If you'd like louder music, we'd recommend sourcing a PA system. If you'd like to plug in between sets, please let us know in advance.

How much time do you need to set up?

We like to arrive around an hour before the music is due to start, to get to know the space, find out where the power is (if we're amplified), etc, etc.

Can you roam around while you perform?

No, we will be seated whilst playing.

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

We'd definitely be happy to chat about playing specifics tunes/songs from our list, yes.

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

Our 2 x portable amps are included in your quote. We don't provide lighting. We will need access to power in order to plug in the amps.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song/tune isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song or tune you'd like us to learn we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £50 per musician (£100 total) for this service to take into account rehearsal time.
Musicianship
Genres:
Traditional Scottish folk, Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional Irish 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, Church service, Burns night, Recording session, Concert, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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