Baltik Ceilidh Band

Ma Lairds & Loddies,

Chinas & Fair Middens...

London's Premier Celtic Covers Band

-Since 2007-

(Ceilidh/Reeling/Klezmer/Pop/Motown/Rock)

Presenting that BIG cool Celtic sound, bursting with energy, feature multi-award winning musicians.

Our powerful horn section, burning grooves and rich melodies hit you hard and keep you dancing all night. Performing tunes by bands such as Salsa Celtica, Treacherous Orchestra and Lau, arranged for ceilidh dancing.

With high profile performances for the likes of HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Caledonian Club, Inter-Club of London, Savile Club, London Reels (Pont St), The Ceilidh Club at Cecil Sharp House & Baden Powell House, Country Life, ITV, E4; Performing with celebs such as John Barrowman and supporting legendary acts such as Sister Sledge, Supergrass and T'Pau; The Baltik Ceilidh Band are by far a must have feature of any Celtic event! As well as the cast of Made in Chelsea, we have taken celebrities James Corden, Ant & Dec, Jonathan Wilkes, Edith Bowman,Tom Smith (Editors), Angellica Bell and Michael Underwood through the steps of Ceilidh dancing.

Check out our Instagram @theBaltik for details of our public performances at the Ceilidh Club in London.

Tradition with a Twist:
A London Based Band for all your Celtic needs. Drawing on the key elements of Scottish music with influences from English, French, Irish, Swedish, German and Danish traditional dance.

The Baltik Ceilidh Band: where The Baltic meets the UK!

We perform popular Scottish Country Dances with influences that stretch across western Europe including:

Aberdeen (Gay Gordons), Denmark (Swedish Masquerade), Ireland/Orkney (Strip the Willow), Manchester (Military Two-Step), Sweden/Scotland (Dashing White Sgt.), Scot's in a German POW Camp (Reel of the 51st), France/Scotland (Eight-some Reel)...

Not to mention that popular American dance The Virginia Reel, which originates from C17th Scotland, is generally considered to be an English dance, but perhaps has an earlier influence from Ireland!

Our musicians are some of the most in demand musicians in London, with a wealth of performing experience including... The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Performing Disney's Brave), Performing for Sir George Martin, Cecil Sharp House, NAO, Maverick Sabre, Jack Bruce, Dame Cleo Laine, Abbey Road Studios, Royal Opera House, BBC Television Centre, ITV, Netflix original series 'The Crown' (2 Golden Globes) feat. Claire Foy, Matt Smith and John Lithgow, Shakespeare's Globe, Dame Shirley Bassey, The Graham Norton Show, Later with Jools Holland, Roisin Murphy, Simple Minds, Mick Hucknall, Melody Gardot, Kid Creole, Britain's Got Talent, Mica Paris, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thriller Live, Book of Mormon, 42nd Street, Young Frankenstein, G4, House band at London's Hard Rock Cafe, BBC 1 breakfast news, Alan Titchmarch, Harry Hill's TV Burps, Loose Women, Made In Chelsea, Little Boots, Blake, Barbican Centre, Ronnie Scots, Kensington Palace and not forgetting The London Vegetable Orchestra.

Band Line-Ups

Bespoke Ceilidh/Cover Options

Caller + Backing tracks

2 piece (ceilidh only)
Accordion + Drum/Caller

3 piece (ceilidh only)
Drum kit/Caller, Accordion & Fiddle
//or// Drum kit/caller, Fiddle, Guitar

4 piece (ceilidh & covers)
Fiddle/Vocals, Bass, Guitar & Drum kit/Lead Vocals/Caller
//or// Accordion, Bass, Guitar & Drum kit/Lead Vocals/Caller
//or// Fiddle, Accordion, Guitar & Drum kit/Lead Vocals/Caller (ceilidh only)

5 piece (ceilidh & covers)
4 + Flute/Saxophone
4 + Accordion
4 + Female Lead Vocals

7 piece (ceilidh & covers)
4 + Trumpet, Saxophone & Trombone

8 piece (ceilidh & covers)
7 + Flute/Tenor Saxophone
//or// 7 + Female Lead Vocals

9 piece (ceilidh & covers)
7 + Flute/Tenor Saxophone & Female Vocals

10 piece (ceilidh & covers)
9 + Percussion

All line-ups available with sound engineer.

Why not add the DJ package?
We offer a DJ option for your event free of charge up to midnight.
If interested please add the option to your enquiry using the band selector on the contact page.

Ceremony/Reception Options

Piper
Choose from a couple of Scottish Pipers: one Fife based (ranked in the top 30 in the world), one Hampshire based.

Harpist
Harpist with a wealth of experience, including Royal appointments, TV appearances (BBC Young Musician, Maltese Television) and interviews on Classic FM. Performing at venues including Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, Kensington Palace, The Albert Hall and The Barbican Centre.

Trumpet
Principal Trumpet of the Royal Artillery Band/Orchestra. He has performed on many high profile and televised engagements including playing the Last Post and Reveille for the funeral of Sir Denis Thatcher where he received much acclaim.

Violin
(using player from the Ceilidh/Covers band) - Our virtuoso Scottish Violinist has a wealth of experience playing throughout the UK and over seas; performing at prestigious venues like Buckingham Palace and Edinburgh’s military Tattoo.

Celtic Duo
Violin package + Guitar (using players from the Ceilidh/Covers band).

Jazz Duo/Trio/Quartet/Quintet
Options vary depending on line up of Ceilidh/Covers band.

Set List

Ceilidh Set (Called)
Flying Scotsman
Gay Gordons
Dashing White Sergeant
Strip The Willow
Military 2-Step
St Bernard's Waltz
Virginia Reel
Canadian Barn Dance
Swedish Masquerade
Thread The Needle
Circassian Circle
Cumbrian Reel
Cumberland Square Eight
Lady Godiva Reel
Orcadian Strip The Willow
The Borrowdale Exchange
Scotch Mixer
Auld Lang Syne

Reeling Set (Not Called)
Postie's Jig
The Piper & The Penguin
Hamilton House
The Eightsome Reel
The Foursome Reel
Machine Without Horses
Reel of the 51st
Duke of Perth
Speed The Plough
The Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh
St Andrews Fair

Traditional Covers
Caledonia
Green Fields of France
Wild Rover
Donald Where’s Your Trewsers?
Hill of the Thieves
Molly Malone
There Were Roses
Little Drummer Boy
Auld Lang Syne
Whisky In The Jar
Marie's Wedding
Gloomy Winter's Now Awa
Hill Of Thieves

Popular 1st Dances:
Feeling Good - Nina Simone (Michael Bubles & Muse Versions)
L.O.V.E. - Nat King Cole
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Into The Mystic - Van Morrison
May You Never - John Martyn
Is This Love - Bob Marley
You Are the First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
I only have eyes for you - Jazz standard from the film 'Dames'
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics
Caledonia - Dougie MacLean
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay (*)
Shut up and Dance with Me - Walk the Moon
All of Me - John Legend
Hey Ho - The Lumineers
You Do Something To Me - Paul Weller
Nothing Else Matters - Metalica
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
I'm A Believer - Monkeys
I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermit
Runaway - The Corrs (**)
You've Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman
I Love You 'till the End - The Pogues
Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison

Covers

-60's-
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Gimmie Some Lovin' - Steve Winwood
Hard To Handle - Otis Reading
All Along the Watch Tower - Jimi Hendrix
I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
Come Together - The Beatles
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
I'm A Believer - Monkeys
Feeling Good - Nina Simone (Michael Bubles & Muse Versions)
Good Times Bad Times - Led Zeppelin
My Generation - The Who
White Room - Cream
I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermit
I Feel Good - James Brown
L.O.V.E. - Nat King Cole
Soul Man - Sam & Dave (*)
Blame It On The Boogie - Jackson 5 (**)

-70's-
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynryrd Skynyrd
Long Train Running - Doobie Brothers
Life In The Fast Lane - The Eagles
Stuck in the Middle With You - Steelers Wheel
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I Wish - Stevie Wonder (**)
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Get Back - The Beatles
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Oh What A Night - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Into The Mystic - Van Morrison
Over The Hill - John Martyn
May You Never - John Martyn
Can't Get Enough of Your Love - Bad Company
We Are Family - Sister Sledge
The Cowboy Song - Thin Lizzy
The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy
Teenage Kicks - Undertones
Is This Love - Bob Marley
I Shot The Sherif - Bob Marley
Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
Maggie May - Rod Stewart
Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan (*)
Take Me To The River - Al Green (*)
Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder (*)
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder (*)
I'm A Man - Steve Winwood (*)
Right Place Wrong Time - Dr John (*)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Lady Marmalade - Patti Labelle (**)
You Are the First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
I only have eyes for you - Jazz standard from the film 'Dames'

-80's-
Sunshine on Leith - The Proclaimers
500 Miles - Proclaimers
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Jumping Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones
Dude Looks Like A Lady - Aerosmith (*)
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (*)
Power Of Love - Huey Lewis & The News (*)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics

Ain't Nobody - Chaka Kahn (**) Upside Down - Diana Ross (**)
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Where the Streets Have No Name - U2
Caledonia - Dougie MacLean
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

-90's-
Deeper Underground - Jamiroquai
Rocks- Primal Scream
She's Electric - Oasis
Wonderwall - Oasis
You Do Something To Me - Paul Weller
Place Your Hands - Reef
Just Looking - Stereophonics
Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band (*)
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams (*)
Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi (*)
Nothing Else Matters - Metalica
Runaway - The Corrs (**)
You've Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman
I Love You 'till the End - The Pogues

-00's-
Maybe Tomorrow - Stereophonics
Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
You Are All I Have - Snow Patrol
All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
Valerie - Mark Ronson
Sunday Morning - Maroon 5
Crazy In Love - Beyonce
Hey Ya! - Outcast
Last Night - The Strokes
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Butterfly - Jason Mraz (*)
Brooklyn - Youngblood Brass Band (*)

-10's-
Forget You - Ce Lo Green
Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars
Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay (*)
Shut up and Dance with Me - Walk the Moon
All of Me - John Legend
Hey Ho - The Lumineers

(*) Only Available With Horn Section
(**) Only Available With Female Vocalist

The Band Can Also Play Jazz Standards.

Testimonials

Click to view our Google Reviews

"Many many thanks Tom! You provided the best dance we have had for many years. I have never seen so many people consistently up dancing and enjoying themselves. Your balance of music was just what we required and while we Scots like to think we know all the Country Dancing malarky it was great to be taught a few more. You have great style in the way you delivered that.
John Barrowman was an interesting addition. I hope you guys didn't mind but you all seemed to take it in good spirit. I'm told he was eating next door and couldn't resist coming through because the music was so good."
Peter J McCallum
- Ceilidh @ Gleneagles

"The band were without doubt the highlight of our evening. The musical fusion of traditional with modern music was a fantastic take on the ceilidh and provided a great source of entertainment. The dance floor was never empty and we would thoroughly recommend the band to anyone looking for a quality, highly trained, entertaining live band to add a touch of class to any event."
-Emily and Jamie
Wedding @ Basingstoke.

"Thank you Baltik Ceilidh for your wonderful music and also for your patient help with our dancing! This was definitely one of the best parts of our wedding day: it brought everyone together and we will always remember it with a smile."
-Lydia and Axel
Wedding @ Gonville & Caius.

"The night was brilliant! The Music was very impressive and I was especially taken with the dance tuition on the Dance floor... Bravo!..."
- Jonathan Taylor (Tango Siempre)
Burns Night

"Making an interesting combination of both new music and traditional Scottish Folk in a powerful, direct and effective manner"
- Paul Newland (composer).

"This group of Guildhall musicians will conjure an atmosphere so charged with the power, your desire to dance will be insatiable!"
- City lights, Gonville & Caius.
Cambridge May Ball

"A potpourri of climatic and contrapuntal sound, performed with most dexterously throughout the evening. The Baltik Ceilidh Band will no doubt soon be on the international circuit"
-Frank Major.
St Giles' Cripplegate May

Clients

Country Life Fair with HRH Prince Michael of Kent (supporting Sister Sledge & T'Pau)
Boodles
National History Museum
HRH Prince Michael of Kent
Grace Belgravia
Caledonian Club
Specsavers
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Weddings in the Wood, New Forest
Guildhall Chester
Weymouth Bay Haven
Colchester Arts Centre
Harleyford Golf Club
Hever Castle
Garvock House
The Kingscote Barn
Luton Hoo
Cecil Sharp House
Gleneagles (with special guest John Barrowman)
Channel 4's E4 (UK)
Style TV (US)
Sky TV
Monkey Kingdom
Made in Chelsea
Barbican Centre
Devonshire SQ
NHS
Old Billingsgate Market
National Portrait Gallery
Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Tower 42
Dollar Academy
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Gonville Caius
Exon Mobil
O'Neill's
Jigs 'n' Reels
Full Circle
Vibrations Music
Freak Music

FAQ

How much do you charge?
Click here to enquire about an act and receive a no obligation quote. Or contact us by phone on 07961 200 225.

Do you supply a written contract?
Yes. Written by the Musicians Union.

How much deposit is required?
A non-refundable deposit of £650 is required to confirm a booking.

When is payment due?
The remaining balance is required 7 working days prior to the event.

How do I book?
You can either phone us on 07961 200 225 or email us through our contact page.

Is there any scenario in which the band could cancel?
In the unlikely scenario that a player cannot make a performance, each player has a long list of deputy musicians to call upon.

Do you provide PA and lighting?
Yes!
Our standard PA is suitable for a room of around 300 people. If you are hosting a large-scale event we are happy to supply further lighting and a larger P.A. However, an additional fee will apply. If you are personaly hiring a P.A. system we are happy to discuss the act requirements with your sound engineer.

How much space do you require?
We require 4m x 3m minimum.

I've been told the venue has a "sound limiter" - is this a problem?
A sound limiter is an electronic device that monitors the sound and is sometimes connected to cuts the power in the venue (and therefore to the bands equipment) if the volume level in the room exceeds a pre-set level. Please be very careful when choosing your venue as your event could be ruined if a limiter is installed.

If your venue has a sound limiter we will contact them to ensure there are no foreseeable problems with noise related concerns.

How far do you travel?
We are happy to travel anywhere in the world.

How early do you need to setup before a gig?
It takes us up to 2 hours to set up PA, lighting and sound check. This can be split in to two separate 1hr slots.

Can you supply background music between sets?
Yes. We are able to provide music from a popular playlist between sets.

How long do/can you play for?
We can play up to 3 x 1hr sets.

I have a small budget, can you help?
We will try our best to accomodate all budgets. Get in contact and we'll try our best to help you out!

What type of venues will the band play at?
Our only requirement is that there is a safe power supply and a cover for outdoor events in case of rain.

How does the band dress?
We wear smart dress as standard e.g. Suits, DJ's, Kilts etc. If you have a special request please let us know when you enquire.

Are you insured?
Yes. We are fully insured, PAT Tested and have PLI.

Contact