Are you looking for a ceilidh band in Bristol? We are Shanvaghera, a popular traditional folk band, playing and selling out gigs and ceilidhs in Bristol and beyond with our authentic foot-tapping instrumental folk music. And we are also available to play as a ceilidh band for your wedding, birthday party or any other event!
We work with the best ceilidh callers in the South West. Our caller will take you through all the dances, teaching you the moves and guiding you through them.
Whether you have never danced a ceilidh before or are seasoned pros (or a crowd with a mix of the two!), we guarantee we’ll get you all dancing!
Ceilidh or céilí?
We are equally at home playing for a Scottish ceilidh, or an Irish céilí or an English barndance. We can include particular dances if you would like. But we would normally include some of the most popular dances like The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and the Virginia Reel. Other dances we like to include are Cumberland Square Eights, Circassian Circle and Patacake Polka.
For a ceilidh for a wedding or party we would normally suggest 2 hours. We’d play for two sets of dances, with a break in the middle for everyone to catch their breath!
The ceilidh band
Our ceilidh band is made up of fiddle, guitar, flute and banjo, plus a caller. But we can also play as a 3-piece plus caller, or add other instruments such as accordian or uilleann pipes if requested.
We provide our own PA, and have full public liability insurance. The PA can also be available for a playlist ‘disco’ after the ceilidh.
Our next public ceilidh in Bristol will be at the Folk House for the St Patrick’s weekend on 15th March.
So, if you are looking for a ceilidh band in Bristol, or around Somerset or Gloucestershire or further afield, do get in touch. We would love to play for your ceilidh!