Blag
Services From Blag in London
Dance the Night Away with the Ceilidh Band 'Blag'
Media Files
8 Photos
2 Videos
Description
Blag play a variety of Celtic and World music, from Irish Ballads and Scottish Jigs to Flamenco and Gypsy Jazz. They perform in festivals throughout Europe. All the musicians are professionals that have trained at music college, made records and have performed on T.V. and radio, including 'Loose Ends' on Radio 4.
Michael Pinsky started playing the fiddle at six. He has played in folk groups in Scotland from the age of 11 who’s members have become players in leading Scottish bands such a ‘Capercaille’ and ‘Shoogleniffty’ and with leading jazz players such a Courtney Pine in the ‘Grand Union Orchestra’. His ability to play both folk and jazz creates a unique fiddle style.
David Morgan played acoustic guitar with ‘Golage’, in Brighton, which later formed ‘Stomp’ an extremely successful percussion, performance group that have toured the world, playing on Broadway in New York and the Royal Festival Hall in London. His vast range of techniques, from bluegrass fingerpicking to a driving syncopated Irish rhythm style gives a rich harmony to Blag repertoire.
Ade Harris was a member of the influential punk group ‘Peter and the Test Tube Babies’. His playing provides the power-house behind the Blag sound.
Blag are based in London regularly playing Balls, Weddings, Parties and Corporate Events.
James Whale exclaimed when he heard us that “Blag play the most eclectic mix of music I have ever heard” on Drive Time LCB 97.3
Ned Sherrin commented that "Blag have been delighting audiences with their feisty mix gypsy jazz and groovesome celtic folk" on Loose Ends Radio 4 when we played a surprise song for Melvyn Bragg.
Danny Godfrey, music organiser for the Queen's College (Cambridge) May Ball wrote; "Blag's music was irresistibly danceable. Their energetic and extremely skilled performance created a highly festive air. Their interpretations of folk music were as original as it was entertaining. I would not hesitate in recommending this hugely professional band."
Lucy Hill
• July 13, 2024Really easy to use and a great choice of providers
Anthony Clarkstone
• June 15, 2024We are very grateful to David, Michael and Mark for doing such a great job at a Barn Dance/ Ceilidh we held a few days ago to raise funds to help a Catholic Secondary School in Sudan.
It was a really joyful evening. Michael, the fiddle player, was very patient and good natured in explaining the dances.
Between the dances, the band would play pop/jazz music - and people got up and danced to these as well. By the end virtually everybody was dancing. Blag's versatility and range of repertoire area real advantages. David also provided useful information in the weeks before the barn dance
Thoroughly recommend this sort of event. It can be a job persuading people who are unfamiliar with Ceilidhs to come, but once they are there, they really enjoy it. They are very inclusive and we had people of all ages (and dancing abilities) participating. Blag are ideal for such events.
Sara Stewart
• May 14, 2024David and his musicians were fabulous. Everything happened on time, and they had barely started when everyone jumped up to dance. They read the crowd perfectly and no one wanted to tear themselves away!
Sam
• March 14, 2024This band was excellent; everyone at the event enjoyed the music and partied all night. We would definitely book again!!
Marina Brumpton
• Oct. 7, 2023We had the band at our son's wedding and they were great. They got everybody going and David's instructions were very good and very funny, too. Hardly anyone knew how to dance these dances, so chaos ensued in the most entertaining way. By the last song we finally got it and they kept playing for 15 minutes (!) because everyone was most enthusiastically participating. These guys are wonderful musicians and entertainers. Thank you so very much!
Iain Macleod
• July 5, 2023Hired Blag for a ceilidh in South London a couple of weeks ago. They were fantastic. Being in a ceilidh band myself, the band were exactly what we were looking for and more than lived up to expectations! They played a good mix of well known ceilidh dances and threw in a couple of songs as well to get the crowd going. Explained the dances well to a large group that had varying ceilidh experience and everyone had a great time. Would definitely hire again!
FAQs
Please, describe your act or business in on sentence:
Blag play a variety of Celtic and World music, from Irish Ballads and Scottish Jigs to Flamenco and Gypsy Jazz. They perform regularly in Britain and in festivals throughout Europe. All the musicians in the group are professionals that have trained at music college, made records and have performed on both T.V. and radio.
What are the highlights of your career?
Being featured in 'Loose Ends' on Radio 4 and playing for Microsoft for managers party in Bali on the beach.
What is your competitive advantage (special features)?
Very diverse set, flexible and friendly.
What kind of events do you usually serve?
Weddings, corporate functions and parties
Who are your previous clients?
Private Clients, BBC, Ealing Studios, Microsoft, Ritz amongst many others.
How can event planners pay for your services?
Bank Transfer or Cash
How long do you play for?
Two hours
Do you have your own PA and lighting?
Yes
Do you have Public Liability Insurance and PAT tested equipment?
Yes
How much space do you require?
A small space!
My favourite tune is not on your list. Will you be able to play it?
That depends, if we are given enough notice and the song is suitable for our line up.
How many breaks do you take? How long are they?
One break for twenty to thirty minutes.
Set List/Services
Blag have a repertoire of over fifty songs, including Irish jigs, reels and ballads, other Celtic tunes, Latin American songs, pop covers, flamenco, Eastern European dance tunes, bluegrass, stomp, blues, jazz and swing standards.
Irish and Scottish Classics:
Wild Rover
Danny Boy
Rocky Road to Dublin
Whisky in the Jar - Thin Lizzy
Dirty Old Town - The Pogues
Auld Lang Syne
Toss the Feathers - The Corrs
St Patricks
Reels and Jigs:
Dashing White Sergeant
Masons Apron
Drops of Brandy
Irish Merry Making
Athol Highlanders
Morrisons Jig
Deil among the Tailors
Drowsy Maggie/Tam Lin
Gay Gordons
Ten penny jig
Rocky Road to Dublin
Don't Pay the Poll Tax
Latin and Bluegrass:
Chan Chan - Buena Vista Social Club
Oye como va - Santana
Bolero - Gypsy King's
Hotel California - Gypsy Kings
Sweet Georgia Brown - Stéphane Grappelli
All Of Me - Stéphane Grappelli
Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels
Pop Hits:
Eagle Eye Cherry - Save Tonight
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Under the Bridge
Ed Sheeran - Castle on the Hill
The Waterboys - Sunny Afternoon
Van Morrison - Moondance
Manu Chao - Por el Suelo
Robbie Williams - Millennium
Oasis - Wonderwall
The Doors - People are Strange
Thin Lizzy - Whisky in the Jar
The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues
The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon
The Beatles - Norwegian Wood
The Pogues - Dirty Old Town
Van Morrison - Sweet Thing
and many more....