How much does an Irish band cost?
There's no single price, because the fee moves with your date, the distance to your venue, the size of the line up and how long you'd like the band to play. A Saturday in June or a St Patrick's night costs more than a quiet Thursday in February.
Send your email, date and location through the form and we'll reply within 24 hours with quotes for the bands that suit your night, so you can compare like for like.
How quickly will we hear back?
Within 24 hours of your enquiry. We'll send quotes and the Irish bands we think suit your event, based on your date and location.
What's the difference between a trad band, a céilí band and an Irish party band?
A trad band plays traditional Irish tunes and songs, often as a session that guests listen and sing along to. A céilí band plays for group dancing, usually with a caller who teaches each dance. An Irish party band mixes Irish classics with pop and rock songs played with fiddle, whistle and bodhrán.
Our guide to choosing an Irish band goes into each one.
Do our guests need to know how to dance?
No. At a céilí the caller walks everyone through each dance before the music starts and calls the moves as it goes. Most céilí dances repeat the same short pattern, so guests pick it up within a minute or two. Read what happens at a céilí for more.
How does an Irish band night usually run?
Every band and every venue is a little different, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule.
The band usually arrives a couple of hours before they're due to play, sets up quietly while your guests are eating, and plays background music if you'd like something on while the room fills. At a wedding, the cake is often cut once the tables are cleared and the first dance follows straight after, which leads into the first set.
The first set tends to run for around 45 minutes to an hour. This is where a céilí band brings in the caller and gets everyone up for the group dances while energy is high and nobody has settled into a chair. An Irish party band will mix singalongs with songs the younger guests know.
Then comes a break of half an hour or so. It's the natural moment for evening food, for the guests who arrived later to find their friends, and for the band to take requests.
The second set is the long one, and it's built to keep the floor full: the big choruses, the reels that send people spinning, and the songs that bring the whole room into one circle. Most bands finish with a final singalong while the room is still busy rather than letting it drift away.
After the live music, many bands can play a playlist through their own system until the end of the night, so there's no silence while guests finish their drinks.
Tell us your timings when you enquire, and we'll suggest bands whose running order fits your day. It's a guide, not a rule, and the best nights bend it to suit the room.
Can we ask for particular songs?
Yes. Most bands welcome requests, including a first dance or a song that means something to your family. Some will learn a new song given enough notice. Mention any must haves when you enquire.
Can an Irish band play where there's a sound limiter?
Many venues fit a sound limiter or set a finish time for live music. Experienced bands can play within them, but they need to know in advance. Check with your venue and tell us when you enquire.
Can we have music during the day as well as the evening?
Often, yes. An acoustic duo or trio can play during the drinks reception or the meal before the full band. Mention it in your enquiry and we'll include it in your quotes.
What is the Irish Bands rating?
It's our own score for each band, out of five, from the Irish Bands team. It isn't a customer review score. We rate every band on the site so you can compare them at a glance, then send you quotes for the ones that suit your night.
Can we book a specific band from the site?
Yes. Name the band in your enquiry and we'll check their availability for your date. If they're already booked, we'll suggest the closest match.
