Sussex Folk Bands

This is the Sussex Folk Association's list of traditional folk dance bands in Sussex. We believe the data provided to be correct, but accept no responsibility for any reliance placed on it. If you see an error or can supply additional information, please let us know. If you are a traditional folk dance band resident in Sussex and wish to be added please let us know.

Bands with Details

Blackthorn Folk Dance Band
Traditional Folk Dance Band

Brighton Taverners
Irish, Scottish and English folk, barn dances, tea dances and cabaret

Drift
English, French and other International

Electric Hoedown
Includes Caller - Combines electric instruments with traditional barn dance music

Flat Cat
Barn Dance Band with caller

Kingfisher Ceilidh Band
Includes Caller - Barn Dances, Weddings, etc.

Moves aFoot
Includes Caller - A Barn Dance Band for all social occasions.

The Sussex Pistols
English and Scottish dance and music for barn dances and ceilidhs

Bands without Details

Ashdown Ceilidh Band
Barn dances, weddings etc.

Band of Two
Celtic duo.

Folk Convention Band
Barn Dances, Weddings, Club Nights.

Spinning Jenny Band
Bexhill's Barn Dance Band.

The Reel Thing
Barn Dances for all occasions.

SusFA - Sussex Folk Association list of Sussex Folk Bands

Legal Stuff

Top of Page

Sussex Folk Bands

Ashdown Ceilidh Band

Barn dances, weddings etc.

If you contact this group as a result of finding them on our website, please let them know
Disclaimer - We believe the data provided to be correct, however we accept no responsibility for any reliance placed on it. If you see an error or can supply additional information, please let us know.

Top of Page

Band of Two

Celtic duo.

Top of Page

Blackthorn Folk Dance Band

The Blackthorn Folk Dance Band was formed in 1991 by Anne and John Hughes who had previously played in other folk bands in Mid-Sussex, after many years experience of folk music and dance in the West Country.

The band normally consists of:

Anne, our leader, who plays accordion and, occasionally, bowed psaltery.

Nessa, our fiddle player who also plays the Irish tenor banjo and has been a regular at Sussex folk clubs.

John, our bass player and percussionist, who also looks after PA and acts as business manager

We are ably supported by Kim, our “crew” who is always ready to look after the needs of the players, the caller and the dancers as an indispensable member of the team.

Blackthorn Folk Dance Band members form the nucleus of the resident band which plays at the Lindfield Folk Dance Club on the third Tuesday in the month where we encourage other musicians old and new to join us for the evening.

We provide our own PA system and amplification, have full EFDSS public liability insurance and work with a variety of callers to provide the right music to make things go with a swing.

We are happy to discuss with callers and organisers any special music for events such as traditional barn dances, weddings, charities etc.

MUSIC
Traditional music of the British Isles and North America but where appropriate more recent music is used. We are constantly expanding our range.

STYLE
A band for dancers of all ages and abilities, we aim to make everybody want to dance and keep dancing right to the end of the evening.

RATES
Negotiable – to discuss your requirements and how we can help make your event a success,
please phone 01444 451867

Top of Page

The Brighton Taverners

Irish, Scottish and English folk, barn dances, tea dances and cabaret

A function band with over thirty years experience offering a mixture of guitars, keyboards/drums, bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, flute and pipes.

Their specialities includes barn dances where they can provide the well-known and popular barn dances with tuition, as well as providing entertainment between the dances with songs and comedy.

They are popular at wedding parties where they can mix the traditonal folk music with mainstream pop, jazz, blues, swing and ballroom, to cater to all tastes.

Tea dances are catered for by a duo playing modern keyboards. The repertoire covers a wide range of ballroom dances which are eminently suitable for a tea dance or an evening of ballroom dancing.

They can also offer line-ups for themed evenings such as line dancing, 60/70s hits, romance, and even a caberet evening in the old style. This last includes comedy and musical songs ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan, old-time music hall, Edwardian monologue, through to radio and film entertainers such as George Formby, Noel Coward, Tommy Cooper and finishing with Flanders and Swann

For more information, details of the musicians, photographs and audio clips of them in action, and how to book them, visit their website.

Top of Page

The Drift

English, French and other International

The Drift are an exciting four piece band, playing English and European dance music on a variety of instruments. The Drift play for parties, weddings, barn dances and ceilidhs; working with several excellent callers, including Rachel Roberts, and Tony Dunn.

The band also specialise in traditional French dance music, and play for French style 'bal folk', euro ceilidhs, and can run French dance workshops.

The Drift are based in Mid Sussex. They have their own P.A. suitable for most venues, and will arrange a caller for your event. For where to see them, contact details, bios, and more information visit their website (One of the members has compiled a collection of French traditional dance music, published in two volumes, suitable for bagpipes or hurdy gurdy.)

Top of Page

Flat Cat Barn Dance Band

Flat Cat Barn Dance Band are a four piece plus caller band, with a normal line up comprising either two fiddles or a fiddle with English concertina, backed up by a bass and rhythm guitar. An accordionist is available to give a Scottish sound if required.

Our repertoire includes tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland, France and America, including the usual jigs, reels, hornpipes and waltzes.

We naturally have our own PA system with lighting if needed and are happy to travel anywhere in the south east. This covers an area from Margate in Kent to Chichester in West Sussex and as far north as London. We obviously price according to distance and will play for as long as we're asked.

For further information, please contact Denis Langley 01424 882046.

Top of Page

Folk Convention Band

Barn Dances, Weddings, Club Nights.

Top of Page

Electric Hoedown

The Electric Hoedown seeks to re-introduce barn dancing to the folk music scene. A six-person line up of Gill Howell - caller, Charlotte Kelliher - vocals, Ant - guitar/synth guitar, Will Page - Electric Fiddle, Brian - Bass, and Marianne Page - Recorder/Vocals. For gig guide, contact details, photos, video samples and more information see their website.

Top of Page

Kingfisher Ceilidh Band & Caller

The Kingfisher Ceilidh Band has been playing in and around the Sussex Surrey scene since 1986, attending fund raising barn dances, celebrated at weddings and performed at general fun events. We have played in draughty barns, echoing halls, open fields and closed pubs.

The line up consists of melodeon, fiddle, keyboard, bass guitar and occasional drums. Our resident caller will set your feet a tapping and your toes a'twitching. The style of music is traditionally based and covers all parts of the United Kingdom. For contact details, photos, music samples and more information see their website.

Top of Page

Moves aFoot

A Barn Dance Band for all social occasions.

Moves Afoot are a barn dance band based in Brighton providing great dance Barn Dance music for all social occasions. We have been performing at barn dances in Sussex and the surrounding area for over 20 years. A barn dance (sometimes also known as a ceilidh or folk dance) will make any social gathering a truly memorable occasion by getting your guests to participate, interact and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Sean, our caller, has a wide repertoire of dances that are simple but fun. He provides clear instructions for the dancing and the emphasis is on having a great time, rather than "doing it right".

For contact details, more information on the band including reviews, photographs, details of their CD sampler and a very useful section of answers to commonly asked questions, visit their website

Top of Page

Spinning Jenny Band

Bexhill's Barn Dance Band.

Top of Page

The Reel Thing

Barn Dances for all occasions.

Top of Page

The Sussex Pistols

English and Scottish dance and music for barn dances and ceilidhs

A vibrant six-piece band that has played together since the early 1990s, bringing together their decades of experience of all kinds of folk, dance and related musics to barn dances.

The members are:-
    Ian Kearey (bass guitar, piano, slide guitar, mandolin, tiple, piano)
    Dave Levett (bass guitar, melodeon, banjo, mandolin)
    Ben Paley (fiddle)
    Bing Lyle (accordion)
    Tina Smith (concertina)
    Vic Smith ((mandola, electric guitar, caller)

The band have their own caller and PA and can supply a demo CD to potential bookers. It is also possible to hear four tracks of their playing on their MYSPACE site.

There are other tracks of their playing on their website where you can also read the members' biographies and many unsolicited letters of thanks from various people who have booked them over the years.

Top of Page