Want an award winning band of fun traditional musicians to perform at your wedding or any other event? Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band have performed for Mick Jagger, Robert Smith of the Cure, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zoe Ball and Frank Skinner to name a few. Contact us today for details. One of the most popular, versatile, successful and affordable traditional ceilidh bands based in London, Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band perform live Irish, Scottish, English and American music, dance and songs in or near London.
Great service!
Great night, band were brilliant and the caller, Mary made the evening,! Easy, friendly, clear instruction. Enjoyed by all, the youngest, the eldest and all the ones (who had a one too many) in-between, the dance floor was full all evening. The thanks we have recieved from all who attended has been over whelming.
Can't find fault.
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
👍👍
Mick and the band were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. When they arrived they had to make do with a slightly smaller area than originally expected but there were no complaints and they just got on with it and put on a brilliant performance, everyone who attended the party commented that the band really made it a great night!
Dear Mick A big thanks for your music last Saturday (13th July 2019 Saturday Maidenhead Golf Club, Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PZ). There were lots of compliments about your band. Maura and I had a very memorable celebration. Well done. Kind regards " Brian McGinley, Chairman, Maidenhead Golf Club 16th July 2019
"How much they enjoyed the music"
Hi Mick, Just a quick thank you for being there last Saturday night. (15th June Maidenhead Golf Club, Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PZ) We’ve had lots of people say how much they enjoyed the music – both the selection of tunes and the excellent way in which you all played. Thanks again, Andy & Sally Wright 19th June 2019
"Thank you for the fantastic ceilidh"
"Hi Mick and team, We just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fantastic ceilidh at our wedding (8th June 2019 Saturday Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US). It really made the evening so special and everyone had such a wonderful time. We have so many happy memories of everyone dancing and the great music. I hope you got enough food and cake in the end - I think the caterers were taken by surprise at how fast it all went! Thank you for making our day so very special! All the best" Felicity and Antony Milne 10th June 2019
"Everyone had a great time"
"Dear Mick, I just wanted to say thank you very much to yourself and the rest of Wraggle Taggle for performing so brilliantly at my party yesterday (16th February 2019 Sanderson Hall, Mickleham Road, St Paul's Cray, Kent, BR5 2RW). Everyone had a great time, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. You helped to make the organising of the evening so straightforward which was much appreciated! Kind regards" Rachel Haig 17th February 2019
"I would totally recommend Wraggle Taggle"
"Wraggle Taggle were professional, very accommodating, and went down a treat (9th February 2019 Saturday The King's Royal Hussars Officers' Mess, Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, SP9 7BB). They offered both amplified and non-amplified music and using their amplifiers were able to hold a full room of 90 loud and merry party goers. I would totally recommend Wraggle Taggle for any party or event and if the theme lent itself, I would, without doubt, use them again" Best wishes Seb Teuber, The King's Royal Hussars 22nd February 2019
"We will book the group again"
"Dear Mick, Thanks again for a wonderful evening and a night to remember (2nd February 2019 Saturday Cricklewood Baptist Church, Sneyd road, Cricklewood, NW2 6AN). I had lots of very good feedback from everyone and we all enjoyed the music and we folks with children appreciated the callers encouragement of getting them involved and remembering peoples names. We will book the group again and maybe be an annual event at the church! Many thanks" Rev Stephen Maclean Cricklewood Baptist Church 4th February 2019
"Hi Mick
Jonathan and I wanted to thank you and the band for playing at our wedding reception (27th October 2018 Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 0SD)
Everyone loved the music and the set dancing!
you did a great job at getting everyone up dancing and involving all the children too- they loved it!
You made the event very special for everyone.
Thank you for playing the ""Rose of Kilkenny"" to remind me of home!
We had lots of compliments from our guests about your music and the ceili.
We will highly recommend you to others.
Thank you for everything.
Best Wishes,
Mary and Jonathan"
"""A fantastic evening!
""Hi Mick, Thank you so much to all of Wraggle Taggle for making my birthday a fantastic evening! (15th September 2018 Saturday The Plough Inn, 10 Tentelow Lane Norwood Green Middlesex UB2 4LG) I’ve had a few people ask for your details for various weddings/birthdays etc coming up! Best wishes"" Michaela Croker 4th October 2018"
"""The perfect musicians""
""Wraggle Taggle turned out to be the perfect musicians for my dad's memorial celebration (29th September 2018 (duo) Saturday The Duke William, 25 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1EP). They were professional and friendly and incorporated specially requested songs into their routine. Myself and my family were very happy both with their performance and as individuals. We would definitely recommend them to anyone!!!"" Deirdre Fowkes-O'Dea 30th September 2018"
"""Fantastic performance""
""The two gentlemam from Wraggle Taggle did a fantastic performance and it was perfect for the celebration of my dads life (29th September 2018 (duo) Saturday The Duke William, 25 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1EP), my dad would have loved it. Thank you so much. The music was great"" Erin Cartwright (nee O'Dea) 30th September 2018"
"""What a great time they had""
""We just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and your band for playing at our party on Saturday (22nd September 2018 , Frinton Lawn & Tennis Club 36 Holland Road, Frinton-On-Sea, Essex, CO13 9ES). So many of our guests commented on what a great time they had and thoroughly enjoyed the music and dancing. Hope you had a good journey home and thank you once again!"" Julie & Martyn Hunt 26th Sept 2018"
"Professional and polished ceildh band
Wraggle Taggle performed at a party to celebrate our wedding in South London. (8th September 2018 Saturday Stanley Halls, 12 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6AB) In the lead-up to the party they were very organised and professional to deal with. On the day, they arrived in good time and put-on a great performance. Their caller was very experienced, easily able to coach the group through all of the dances; including young, elderly and those with no experience of similar dancing.
Highly recommended.
-Caitlin Douglas & Richard Mundy 9th Sept 2018"
"Cracking band
""Thanks again for Saturday night (1st July 2018 The Rooks Nest, 73 Dalling Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0JD) – you guys are great! Cracking band. Everyone loved them - they know what to play and when to play it!.
Cheers""
-Luke Callaghan 25th July 2018"
"All our guests thoroughly enjoyed it
""Hi Mick, Thank you so much for playing at our wedding at The Dreys last Sunday (15th July 2018 Sunday The Dreys, Rumstead Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QL). We had a fantastic time, and all our guests thoroughly enjoyed it. Your caller (I've forgotten her name) was super patient and clear and you were all very effective at encouraging everyone to fill the dance floor. Apparently, the venue owners had never had a ceilidh before but now thinks they're fantastic. I'm not quite sure how a venue like that has never had a ceilidh before, but hopefully there'll be many more there in the future! Is there anywhere you would like me to post a review online? Or you can take comments from this email if you like.
Thanks again""
-Joanna Bradley and Emily Lee 22nd Jul 2018"
"Would definitely recommend
""Excellent. Mick and the band were everything we expected and more (23rd June 2018 Saturday Mayflower Place, Tudor Way, Hertford, SG14 2DL). Easy to work with, professional and, more than anything, flexible. Loved their version of The Bare Necessities that we requested! Would definitely recommend""
-Forbes Mutch 15th July 2018"
"""They had a great time""
""Hi Mick, Mr Smith has asked me to pass on his thanks to you for making their evening to enjoyable. They had a great time. (15th November 2014 Saturday Ghyll Manor Hotel, High Street, Rusper, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4PX) Many Thanks"" Louise Fisher The Tour Company on behalf of Robert Smith of ""The Cure"" 1st December 2014"
"""We all loved the band""
""Dear Mick, many thanks for Sunday (20th October 2013 (trio) The Provenance, 62 High Street, Colliers Wood, SW19 2BY) and being so flexible. We all loved the band and apologies for such cramped conditions. Best Wishes"" The Baroness McDonagh (life peer in the House of Lords) 22nd October 2013"
Wraggle Taggle are a professional award winning and talented band with many years' experience specialising in traditional music in pubs and clubs, and at schools and colleges, festivals, weddings, parties wakes and corporate functions.
Founded by Mick Bailey (Guitar/vocals) in 1998, the band has many years of success including performances for Mick Jagger and Robert Smith of The Cure. Celebrities they've performed for include: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zoe Ball, Frank Skinner, Clive Anderson, Ian Hislop Stephen Fry, Alan Davis, Dara O'Briain, Sanjeev Bhaskhar, Meera Syal, Aimi MacDonald, Bert Weedon, Jon Snow, and Imelda Staunton.
Wraggle Taggle provide a truly traditional music band tailored to your specific requirements. We are flexible enough as regards personnel, instrumentation and musical style to be able to tailor a band to your specific requirements, and go out as anything from a duo to a six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller. All bands are punctual, smart and sober, but still good fun! Satisfaction Guaranteed. Special Events. Friendly Atmosphere
Weddings Civil Ceremonies Receptions Parties Festivals Pubs Clubs Schools Colleges Corporate functions Special events Wakes
The band has many years of success including performances for Mick Jagger and Robert Smith of The Cure. Celebrities they've performed for include: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zoe Ball, Frank Skinner, Clive Anderson, Ian Hislop Stephen Fry, Alan Davis, Dara O'Briain, Sanjeev Bhaskhar, Meera Syal, Aimi MacDonald, Bert Weedon, Jon Snow, and Imelda Staunton.
Contact Pop Top initially to pay your deposit. The balance may be paid in advance directly to the bandleader Mick Bailey by bank transfer or in cash on arrival.
The aim is to fit in with clients' arrangements. I suggest two one hour sets or three 45 min sets as a guide. I am used to being flexible about timings on the night no party ever runs exactly to plan!
Wraggle Taggle use a Dynacord Powermate 600 Mixer Amp, two EV speakers and Shure SM58 microphones. This is sufficient for most venues. If your venue is very large or you have a lot of guests the band may need to hire something more powerful. It is not always essential to bring the amplification. However it may be too quiet without, though Wraggle Taggle are delighted to perform acoustic too. The equipment helps the band balance the instruments better. Your guests will have to be very attentive for the caller to be heard without a microphone. Wraggle Taggle are really an acoustic band and (with your agreement) only use the amplification so they can be heard. They are sensitive musicians and will gladly turn down if you direct them to. Wraggle Taggle don't use drums or electric instruments which are inherently louder.
Public Liability Insurance and PAT tested equipment included as standard
How many of your guests are likely to want to dance at any one time? Inevitably some will sit out to drink, chat or have a rest. Others may be very keen to dance all night! Each set of eight couples facing each other need at least a square meter each plus a meter all round the set to dance in and out or behind. So for each 16 people 10 X 4 meters = 40 square meters. In an ideal world, please clear as much space as possible with chairs around the perimeter of the room for exhausted dancers to collapse into and a few tables. The band needs approximately 4 meters by 2 meters space though we can and often do squeeze into less space.
It may be possible to learn new material if you can allow sufficient time
Really the intention is to fit in with your arrangements. Sometimes it can be desirable for the band to take breaks e.g. for the cutting of the cake, speeches or buffet. Sometimes we play one long set as this suits the evening better.
There is a tradition that the happy couple start the dancing with a slow romantic dance. It is a photo opportunity that could result in a treasured memento and the band has some beautiful suitable pieces to play. Wraggle Taggle will call other couples up to join you reasonably soon. Some couples ask for a favorite romantic track to be played via iPod or other device for their first dance. Other newlyweds do without the first dance and go straight in to the ceilidh. The band can start with a ceilidh dance featuring the two of you or one that doesn't do so. Nothing is so complicated that the band can't teach you on the night.
Wraggle Taggle do bring an iPod to provide similar background music in the breaks. A wide selection of tracks are available. The iPod can play from a few minutes after arrival and during set up as well as during the breaks. Wraggle Taggle's equipment can also be made available to play iPod before or after the performance for additional fees. Sometimes there is a disco after the ceilidh to provide music of other genres. As an alternative, Wraggle Taggle could play your iPod, tablet, or laptop selection using the band's equipment.
Songs
Wraggle Taggle are equally at home doing a song-based performance as they are playing tunes for a dance. Bandleader Mick Bailey built his extensive repertoire of songs during many years performing in public.
Main Set
As I Roved Out (Christy)
Auld Lang Syne
Back Home in Derry
Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Black is the Colour
Black Velvet Band
Bonny Ship the Diamond
Brown Eyed Girl
Caledonia
Clare to Here
Cliffs of Doneen
Cockles & Mussels
Come by the Hills
Danny Boy
Dark Island
Dirty Old Town
Fairytale of New York
Far away in Australia
Fiddlers Green
Fields of Athenry
Fleur of Scotland
Foggy Dew
Galway Girl
Galway Shawl
Hallelujah
I'll Tell My Ma
Irish Rover
Isle of Tears
Jambalaya
Lakes of Ponchartrain
Last thing on my mind
Leaving of Liverpool
Lights of London
McAlpine's Fuseliers
Mountain Dew
Muirsheen Duirkin
My Lovely Rose of Clare
Nancy Spain
Only our Rivers run Free
Ordinary Man
Peggy Gordon
Queen Jane
Ride On
Sean South
Seven Drunken Nights
Spancil Hill
Star of the County Down
Sweet Sixteen
Sweet Thames Flow Softly
Tipping it up to Nancy
Town I Love so well
Whiskey in the Jar
Whistling Gypsy Rover The
Wild Colonial Boy
Wild Rover Will you go Lassie Go
Willie McBride
World of Our Own
Rock / Pop
All My Loving
American Pie
Amorillo
Annie's Song
Brown Eyed Girl
Can't buy me love
Country Roads
Dance the Night Away
Fairytale of New York
From Me To You
Galway Girl
Hallelujah
Hey Good Lookin
I just called to say I love you
I'll never find another you
I wanna hold your hand
Return to Sender
Summer Holiday
Twist & Shout / La Bamba
World of Our Own
Yesterday
Other popular songs we do
500 miles
American Pie
Amorillo
Banks of the Ohio
Boys from the County Armagh
Bunch of Thyme
City of Chicago
Country Roads
Curragh of Kildare
Dance the Night Away
Do you want your old lobby washed down
Dublin in the Rare Old Times
Follow me up to Carlow
Hey Good Lookin
Hokey Cokey
I'm a Man you don't meet every day
Jolly Beggarman
Maggie
Marie's Wedding
My own dear Galway Bay
Red Rose Cafe
Slievenamon
Soldiers' Song
Spanish Lady
Take me Home to Mayo
Waltzing Matilda
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
Where the three counties meet
Willie and Mary
Songs popular in care centres
Ain't Misbehavin'
A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square
Annie's Song
Anniversary Waltz
Arriverdeci Roma
As Time Goes By
Blue Moon
Camptown Races / O'Suzannah / Turkey in the Straw
Daisy / Down at the Old Bull & Bush / I belong to Glasgow
Hey Good Lookin'
If you were the only Girl in the World
I just called to say I loved you
I know I'll never find another you
I'll Take you home again Kathleen
I'm getting married in the morning / Roll out the Barrel / My old Man said / Knees up Mother Brown
I'm in the mood for Love
It's a Long Way to Tipperary / Pack up your troubles / Coming Round the Mountain / When the Saints
Leaning on a Lampost
Lilly Marlene
Magic Moments
Maybe it's because / The Bells are Ringing / Lambeth Walk / Side by Side
My Way
On Mother Kelly's Doorstep
Que Sera Sera
Return to Sender
Rose, The
Show me the way to go Home
Strangers in The Night
Street Where you Live
Summer Holiday
Tea for Two
That's Amore
Underneath the Arches
We'll Meet Again
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
White Christmas
White Cliffs of Dover
You Are my Sunshine
You Made me Love You
And many, many more!....
Dances
A ceilidh or barn dance is an evening of informal traditional dancing. Perfect for a wedding or party, it is suitable for all ages and provides a great way for people to mix and socialize. The faster dances are an energetic work out, and Wraggle Taggle also play in a more relaxed romantic mood.
No experience necessary!
Our callers teach the dances from scratch - no experience necessary! Everyone will have a good time! Mistakes are half the fun of it! Nowadays there's lots of crossover between traditions, but the dances are thought to have originated in particular countries or regions. If you prefer, Wraggle Taggle can offer dances concentrating on one style e.g. Scottish or Irish.
The selection of dances at your function depends on your caller using their experience, working with the audience and going with what works best.
Some of the dances Wraggle Taggle have presented over the years
Barn Dance
Big Set
Bridge of Athlone
Circassian Circle
Circle dance
Circle Waltz
Cumberland reel
Cumberland Square Eights
Danish Waltz
Dashing White Sergeant
Gay Gordons
Harvesting Jig
Haymakers jig
Hokey Cokey
I Want to be near you
Longways dances
Sausage roll
Seige of Ennis
Square dance
Strip the Willow
Virginia Reel
Walls of Limerick
Waves of Tory
Plus many more Scotish, Irish and Barn Dance selections
Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band great wedding entertainment
Tunes
Wraggle Taggle have an extensive repertoire of traditional tunes. There wouldn't be space to list all the tunes we might do, there's literally thousands in the tradition.
Here's a few favorites
Arkansas Traveler:
Ashokan Farewell:
Athole Highlanders:
Banshee:
Blackthorne Stick:
Blarney Pilgrim:
Boys of Bluehill:
Calliopie House:
Cliffs of Moher:
College Hornpipe (Sailors Hornpipe):
Congress:
Cooley's:
Cup of tea:
Dashing White Sergeant:
Dingle Regatta:
Donnybrook Fair:
Drowsy Maggie:
Duke of Perth:
Dusty Windowsill:
Earl's Chair:
Fairy Dance:
Farewell To Erin:
Flowers of Edinburgh:
Golden Keyboard:
Gravel Walks:
Hag at The Churn:
Haste to the Wedding:
High Reel:
I'll buy boots for Maggie:
I wanna be near you:
Irish Washerwoman:
Jig of Slurs:
Keel Row:
Kesh:
Kid on the Mountain:
King of the Fairies:
Lark in the Morning:
Maggie in the Wood:
Maguire & Patterson's:
Maid behind the Bar:
Margaret's Waltz:
Marie's Wedding:
Martin Wynn's No 1 & No 2:
Mason's Apron:
Merry Blacksmith:
Miss McLeods:
Morrison's:
Mountain Road:
Musical priest:
My Love is but a Lassie yet:
Nine Points of Roguery:
Off to California:
Orange & Blue:
Otter's Den:
Over the Moor to Maggie:
Pinch of Snuff:
Planxty Irwin:
Rakish Paddy:
Rattling Bog:
Red Haired Boy/Little Beggarman:
Rights of Man:
Saddle the Pony:
Sailor's Bonnet:
Sally Gardens:
Scotland the Brave:
Sean Ryan's:
Si Bheag Si Mhor:
Silver Spear:
Skye Boat Song:
Sligo Maid:
Soldiers Joy:
Spanish Lady:
Spider in the Bog:
St Anne's:
St Bernard's Waltz:
Star of Munster:
Statten Island:
Swallows Tail:
Tam Linn:
Tarbolton:
Teetotallers:
The Rose Tree:
Toss the Feathers:
Tripping up the Stairs:
Trumpet Hornpipe (Captain Pugwash):
Turkey in the Straw:
Wise Maid:
And many, many more!....