Hire one of our authentic Irish bands in Leicester, to bring a true spirit of Ireland to your wedding, private celebration or corporate function. Our musicians can perform classic Irish jive, ballads, and even modern hit covers. Prices from £395.Read more
Best Irish bands in Leicester
Looking to inject some toe-tapping craic into your Leicester event? Our hand-picked selection of the best Irish bands for hire in Leicester is sure to get everyone on their feet! We’ve got 6 fantastic Irish bands ready to bring their lively traditional tunes, jigs, and reels to your celebration. Perfect for a themed party at The Donkey pub or a wedding reception at Athena, you'll find the ideal act to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Dive in and discover your perfect band today!
Every Irish band in this list has been thoroughly vetted by our team, ensuring top-tier musicianship, a fantastic stage presence, and a proven track record of client satisfaction.
The average hire price for an Irish band in Leicester is £976 per event, with costs varying based on the band's line-up, performance duration, and any specific requests.
Our Leicester-based Irish bands have collectively performed at 53 events, gathering 23 verified reviews with an impressive average rating of 4.96* out of 5*.
5.0(11 reviews)
• 25 bookings
High-Energy Celtic Band 'Behan's Footsteps'
Behan's Footsteps have been playing Celtic music for as long as they could walk. We know how to make people dance, and we know how to make them cry!
from £700 / event
Why event planners love Poptop
Reviews for Best Irish bands in Leicester
Read verified reviews from real clients, who booked with Poptop in Leicester
N
Nan Cooper25 Jun 2023
Booked for Birthday party
Great night, everyone enjoyed the music and banter. Dave was easy to talk too for the group. Would have them again. Music was a good mix of Irish music.
C
Caroline cameron18 Oct 2021
Booked for Birthday party
Amazing addition to a family birthday, these guys helped create such a fantastic night.
Would recommend to everyone for any occasion.
J
Joseph Mccarthy2 Jun 2021
Booked for Other Event
Mick and his band performed at Kent Horse Fair , they were excellent in every way, hugely popular, great entertainment and very well received by everyone at the event, I hope they are available for our next Fair in September,
Many thanks Lads
👍👍
H
Hayley28 Aug 2019
Booked for Celebration
These guys were fabulous. Really helped to make our day special. Lots of compliments from our guests. They played songs at our wedding ceremony at leatherhead registry office and then came back to our house to entertain us and our guests in our garden! The guys were very obliging and wonderful musicians. Highly recommend - thanks Newick Folk!!!! 👍👍
O
Octavia29 Oct 2019
Booked for Corporate Function
Black Velvet were excellent and really added to our Irish themed evening. Lots of very traditional music. The guys were very flexible and last minute added in a Ceili set without prior knowledge which was appreciated by all and added to the fun of the evening. Very highly recommended.
C
Charlie O'Neill18 Mar 2019
Booked for Other Event
Shenanigans were great! They did two 40 minute sets and had music playing in between so there wasn’t any hiccup in the evening. Everyone enjoyed the upbeat tone and we even had some lanky teens attempted Irish dancing. Fabulous addition to the evening.
We delivered next level parties for exceptional companies
We also did more than 40,000 birthday parties. Probably, including your neighbour’s recent big bash.
Hiring Irish Bands in Leicester: Your Local Buyer’s Guide
If you’re searching for Irish bands in Leicester, chances are you’re planning something worth celebrating. A wedding with a proper knees-up. A birthday party that deserves more than a playlist. A pub night that needs fiddles, not feedback.
Whatever the occasion, the right Irish band transforms a room. It’s the difference between polite clapping and a packed dance floor. Between background music and a full-blown party session.
We’ve worked with countless events across the Midlands, and we know what makes an Irish band hire in Leicester truly sing. This guide will help you choose wisely, spend smartly, and book with confidence.
Why Book an Irish Band in Leicester?
Leicester’s got character. It’s a city where traditional meets modern, and that makes it perfect for Irish music. Whether you’re hosting in a community hall in the suburbs, a countryside venue just outside the city, or a lively pub in town, Irish folk and ceilidh music fit right in.
There’s something about live fiddle, bodhrán and guitar that brings people together. It doesn’t matter if your guests are seasoned ceilidh pros or have two left feet. Irish music invites everyone in.
When people search for Irish bands Leicester, they’re usually after one of three things:
Traditional Irish folk for atmosphere and authenticity
A ceilidh band to get guests dancing
A high-energy Irish party session for a proper singalong
The good news is you’ll find all three locally. The key is choosing the style that suits your event.
The Best Events for Irish Bands in Leicester
Irish bands are wonderfully versatile. But they really shine in certain settings.
Weddings
If you’re planning a wedding in Leicester or nearby, an Irish band can work beautifully for:
Drinks receptions with relaxed traditional tunes
Evening entertainment that gets every generation dancing
A full ceilidh set where guests actually join in
We often see couples combine a folk set early on with a lively party session later. It keeps the energy building naturally throughout the day. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like seeing your aunt attempt a reel after a glass of prosecco.
Birthday Parties
Milestone birthdays call for something special. An Irish band brings warmth and atmosphere, especially in community halls and country houses around Leicester.
5.0(44 reviews)
• 115 bookings
'Blag's' Feisty Mix of Groovesome Irish Folk Rock & World Music
Blag's feisty mix of groovesome Celtic folk and gypsy jazz have delighted audiences for many years. Their unique style will provide a truly memorable addition to your special occasion.
from £880 / event
5.0(1 review)
• 1 booking
'Taigh Band' Create Fun-Filled Night & Unforgettable Celtic Experience
Taigh Band is a professional Ceilidh band based in the stunning South East of England. Contact us today and let us create a fun-filled night of Scottish music for you and your guests.
from £1,500 / event
No reviews yet • 1 booking
Irish Music Band 'Wee Bag Band'
The Wee Bag Band's raison d'être is to bring mad, bad, trad, popular and contemporary diddly, diddly Irish / Celtic with a hint of Country and Blue Grass music and song to you!
from £980 / event
5.0(6 reviews)
• 30 bookings
Dancing Feet Perfoming Folk Style Background Music
Two multi-instrumentalists offering a dynamic and varied performance of Scottish and Irish folk music and song, with a few extras thrown in!
from £510 / event
Irish bands spotlight 🌟
Irish Band 'Kellys Heroes' Playing Traditional Hits
4.95(20 reviews)
• 34 bookings
Kellys Heroes will bring a little piece of Ireland to your next special event! The fast, furious songs and tunes plus gentle ballads flowing from the accordion and fiddle, powerful rhythm guitar and bodhran give a fullness of sound that belies the number of people on stage. This very experienced Midlands based band are one of the most sought after on the circuit!
About supplier
Kellys Heroes have played to audiences including 40,000 people at Glasgow's Mayfest, 25,000 at the Heineken Big Top, 50 guests in a Chateau in France and 6 people in a kitchen for a family celebration. We challenge you to come up with a type of event we haven't covered at some point over the years!
from £750 / event
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For 40ths, 50ths and beyond, live Irish music creates that “remember when?” vibe. Familiar songs, big choruses, proper crowd engagement. It’s personal without being cheesy.
Pubs and Club Nights
Leicester’s pub scene loves live music. Irish bands are perfect for themed nights, St Patrick’s celebrations, or simply drawing in a bigger crowd on a Friday. A tight, energetic party session can turn a regular night into one people talk about for weeks.
Popular Irish Music Styles in Leicester
When browsing Irish bands in Leicester, you’ll notice different approaches. It’s worth knowing the difference before you book.
Traditional Irish Folk
Expect fiddles, acoustic guitar, maybe whistle or accordion. This style is perfect for:
Wedding receptions
Background music with atmosphere
Smaller community hall gatherings
It’s authentic, warm and charming.
Ceilidh Bands
If dancing is your priority, go ceilidh. These bands usually include a caller who teaches the dances, making it easy for everyone to join in.
Ideal for:
Weddings
Big birthday parties
Large community spaces
You don’t need experience. The caller guides the room, and before you know it, the whole place is spinning.
Party Session Bands
This is where things get lively. Think upbeat folk favourites, singalong classics and high energy sets.
Great for:
Pub nights
Evening wedding receptions
Celebrations where the aim is simple: have a brilliant time
When searching Irish party bands Leicester, this is usually what people have in mind.
Venues in Leicester: What to Consider
Leicester offers a broad mix of venues, and Irish bands adapt well. Still, a few practical considerations help avoid last-minute stress.
Community Halls
Perfect for ceilidhs and birthday parties. They offer:
Plenty of space for dancing
Flexible layouts
Good value hire costs
Make sure there’s access to power and a clear area for the band setup. Most Irish bands bring their own PA system, but confirming details early keeps things smooth.
Country Houses and Rural Venues
These venues suit traditional Irish folk beautifully. Acoustic sets can work especially well in intimate rooms with character features.
Check:
Noise restrictions
Load-in access
Finish times
Country settings plus Irish music is a winning combination.
Pubs
Pub bookings tend to be straightforward. The band often fits neatly into a corner stage area.
Just confirm:
Set lengths
Break times
Sound limits
A well-run pub session can become a regular fixture if it goes down well.
How Much Do Irish Bands in Leicester Cost?
For most events in Leicester, you’re looking at £600 to £1,100. The final price depends on:
Number of musicians
Performance length
Travel within or outside the city
Day of the week
A three-piece traditional band for a few hours in a community hall will usually sit at the lower end. A larger ceilidh band with a caller for a full evening wedding reception will sit towards the top. It’s worth remembering that live music isn’t just background noise. It sets the tone for the entire event.
What to Ask Before You Book
When hiring Irish bands in Leicester, we always suggest asking a few simple but important questions:
What style do you specialise in?
Do you provide a caller for ceilidh dancing?
How long are your sets and breaks?
What space and power do you need?
Can you tailor the setlist to our event?
A good band will answer confidently and clearly. Communication is everything. It’s not just about music; it’s about reliability.
Creating a Truly Personal Experience
One of the joys of Irish music is its flexibility. The best bands adapt. Want a particular song for your first dance? Prefer a heavier focus on traditional reels? Need to tone things down early in the evening?
The right band will shape the performance around your vision. That’s what turns a good event into a brilliant one. When we help clients book Irish bands in Leicester, we always encourage them to think about the atmosphere they want at different points in the evening.
Why Book Through Poptop?
We know you could search endlessly online. But planning an event shouldn’t feel like a second job. Here’s why using Poptop makes hiring Irish bands in Leicester simpler and more secure.
Friendly, Professional Suppliers
You get more than musicians. You get experienced professionals who know how to read a room, engage a crowd and create a genuinely warm atmosphere. They’re vetted not just for talent, but for attitude. That matters.
Plan in Minutes, Not Days
Time is precious. With instant, all-inclusive pricing, you can make decisions quickly instead of waiting around for quotes. Quick responses. Clear details. No back and forth confusion.
Tailored to You
Whether it’s adapting a setlist or matching the tone to your venue, flexibility is part of the service. Your event isn’t generic. Your music shouldn’t be either.
Stress-Free Planning
Clear communication at every stage means you always know what’s happening. No guessing. No chasing. Just steady progress towards your event date. Planning should feel exciting, not nerve-racking.
Everything in One Place
Need more than just an Irish band? You can arrange other services alongside your entertainment without jumping between websites. It’s practical, efficient and far less overwhelming.
Book With Confidence
All suppliers are carefully vetted. If anything unexpected happens, we’ll help find a suitable alternative. With added protection and a money-back guarantee, you’re not taking a gamble.
Tips for a Brilliant Irish Music Night
Before we wrap up, here are a few quick tips to make your Irish band hire in Leicester unforgettable:
Clear space for dancing early. People need permission to join in.
Keep lighting warm and welcoming, especially in halls.
Brief the band on timings well in advance.
Encourage guests to get involved. Ceilidhs thrive on participation.
The more energy you put in, the more you get back.
Ready to Find the Perfect Irish Band in Leicester?
Whether you’re organising a wedding, birthday party, or pub session, Irish bands bring something special to Leicester events. It’s music with heart. Music that moves people. Music that creates moments.
If you’re currently searching for Irish bands Leicester, we’d love to help you find the right fit quickly and confidently.
Tell us your date, guest numbers and postcode. In minutes, you’ll see available Irish bands ready to bring your celebration to life.
