Ceilidh band

Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band

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About Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band

Drawing on 25 years of ceilidh experience, we blend tradition with energy and atmosphere to create unforgettable events
Ceilidh band
Skipton
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Step onto the dance floor, and the Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band will make sure everyone is involved from the first tune. With over 25 years of professional experience and ten years performing as a full band, we specialise in creating lively, well-paced events that feel both fun and effortless. Our aim is simple: to provide music that energises the room and keeps guests enjoying themselves throughout the evening. I formed the band to bring people together through music, movement, and celebration. After seven years of study at the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg under Professor Oleg Sharov, I developed technical precision, versatility, and a deep understanding of what makes live music work. Combined with the skills of our full band—accordion, second accordion, drums, and a caller—we deliver performances that are polished, adaptable, and engaging for every audience. Over the years, we’ve performed at weddings, festivals, and community events, from grand venues like Liverpool Town Hall to local village halls. Each event is unique, and we tailor our approach accordingly. Our caller ensures that everyone, regardless of experience, can join in with confidence, while we balance energetic ceilidh sets with moments of relaxed background music. Every aspect of our performance—from setup to sound—runs smoothly, allowing hosts to enjoy the evening as much as their guests

Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band
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5 out of 5
1 verified review
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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Communication
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Punctuality
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Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band's Reviews

From Encore customers:

MB
Murray B
2 years ago
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5 out of 5

I can't recommend the Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band enough. They were punctual, played our requested playlist and generally entertained our wedding guests for 2 hours. The great thing about Thom is that he is a really nice guy, as are the rest of the band. Well done guys.

Reply from Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band
2 years ago

Murray, I wanted to reach out and personally thank you for taking the time to leave us a fantastic 5-star review for playing at your ceilidh wedding. Your kind words and glowing feedback mean the world to us! It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your special day and to witness the joy and happiness shared by all. The energy and enthusiasm on the dance floor were contagious, and we couldn't have asked for a better audience. If there's ever another occasion where you'd like to have us play again, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous review and for making our experience so memorable. Thom Hardaker

From other customers:

E
ENCORE
9 years ago

A spectacular accordionist and entertainer. Crowds were dancing, requests and even tears. Thom loves pleasing. Highly recommended

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This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band's Song list

1. Dashing White Sergeant
Tunes: Dashing White Sergeant, Scotland the Brave, Mhairi’s Wedding
2. Gay Gordons
Tunes: The Gay Gordons, Highland Cathedral, Bonnie Dundee
3. Strip the Willow
Tunes: Atholl Highlanders, Flowers of Edinburgh, Mason’s Apron
4. Virginia Reel
Tunes: Soldier’s Joy, Staten Island, Red Haired Boy
5. Cumberland Square Eight
Tunes: Cock of the North, Keel Row, The Rakes of Mallow
6. Circassian Circle
Tunes: Irish Washerwoman, The Kesh Jig, Morrison’s Jig
7. Canadian Barn Dance
Tunes: Marie’s Wedding, The Road to the Isles, The Dark Island
8. Eightsome Reel
Tunes: Reel of Tulloch, Mrs MacLeod of Raasay, The De’il Amang the Tailors
9. Orcadian Strip the Willow
Tunes: Same as Strip the Willow but longer sets — Atholl Highlanders, High Road to Linton, Devil’s Dream
Waltzes & Slow
10. Skye Boat Song
11. The Dark Island
12. Wild Mountain Thyme (Singalong)
Popular Extras / Singalong Folk Songs
13. Caledonia — Dougie MacLean
14. Loch Lomond — End of the night dance.
Bonus High-Energy Polkas or Reels
15. Irish polka set - To round off the evening, we’ll lift the tempo with a lively Irish polka set — quick, bright tunes.

Thom Hardaker Ceilidh Band'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£750
Up to 2 hours£1000
Up to 3 hours£1250
Customer questions

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

We’re very flexible if you’d like to tweak times or plans for the event. Just give us a little notice and we’ll happily work around it to make sure everything runs smoothly.

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

We can also provide an iPod/DJ service after the ceilidh to keep the music going. This is available as an extra for £150 if you’d like to add it on.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually need around an hour to set up and do a quick sound check. To get the atmosphere going, we’ll also provide a free playlist before the ceilidh so your guests can enjoy some music as things build up.
Musicianship
Genres:
Ceilidh, Folk, Country, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Argentinian, World music, French music, Italian music, Russian music, Scottish music, Tango, Spanish music
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Types:
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Event types:
Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Burns night, Birthday party
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