We've put together these Frequently Asked Questions off the back of what clients ask us when they get in touch.
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What's your normal set?
1900-2000: load-in, setup, and soundcheck
2000-2130: cutting the cake and first dance (if it's a wedding), then straight into ceilidh set
2130-2215: buffet break
2215-2300: a bit more ceilidh
2300-0000 DJ to finish the night
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Sometimes we'll finish with an Orcadian Strip the Willow and Auld Lang Syne for the last 15 minutes or so, but that's completely at your discretion. Generally, we're very flexible, but the above is a fairly normal kind of night.
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Why have a ceilidh?
Celebrate your special event with a traditional, exciting, and fun night. It's No' Reel are one of the most upbeat, lively, and engaging ceilidh bands in the business. A ceilidh is a great way to break the ice: as with so many events (particularly weddings) many of the guests don't know each other, and a ceilidh is the perfect way for people to mingle, dance, and get to know each other in a really exciting, fun way.
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There are going to be guests there who have never done a ceilidh, should I book a DJ instead?
Absolutely not! It's No' Reel are expert at guiding even the most amateur dancers through the ceilidh dances - we've performed for many events where there haven't been any Scottish people in the room, and they've all still had a great time! Our caller is really fantastic at explaining dances in a fun, engaging way so that everyone is up dancing.
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How far will you travel for an event?
We regularly travel throughout the UK and Europe. There is nowhere we don't cover. In the past couple of years we've been fortunate enough to have taken our ceilidhs to weddings in Italy, Spain, and France, too, so if you're planning a ceilidh that's not in the UK, we're always keen!
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What time will you turn up, and how long does it take for you to set up?
We will arrive approximately 1 hour prior to when we are billed to play to get loaded-in, set up and sound-checked. If you require us to arrive earlier than this, we will charge extra for early setups.
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How do I book the band?
You can contact It's No' Reel Ceilidh Band by telephone, email, or by using our online form on our Contact Us page. We will get back to you as soon as possible. If you want to proceed, we have a contract that will need to be signed and returned, along with a deposit to be paid (normally 30-40% of the total fee). The remaining balance should be paid one calendar month prior to your event; all of these details will be clear on the documents.
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What kind of music do you play?
We play a brilliant selection of tight, rhythmic Scottish and Irish tunes. Hear us play them live here!
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What equipment do you carry?
We carry professional PA gear (with a spare of pretty much everything!), and up lighters to add an ambience to the dance space.
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What does the DJ package entail?
The DJ package is a brilliant way of giving your guests the perfect mix of ceilidh and disco music. Normally we would DJ for the last hour or so to finish the night, as we find that guests can be a bit knackered from the ceilidh by now and are ready for a change in music, but we can always be flexible with this. We encourage our clients to send us a list of 25-30 tracks that we will aim to include in the set, and it also gives us a good idea of the sort of music you're into too!
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Can we come to see you before we decide to book you?
Whilst we endeavour to meet all of our clients' needs and to be as flexible as possible, it is our strict policy not to allow prospective clients to visit other clients' events: we feel that such events are not the correct platform for us to be promoting ourselves at. However, we hope that the wide range of videos, recordings, and testimonials from previous clients give you a very good idea of the professional service we provide.
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Do you have Public Liability Insurance, and is your electrical equipment PAT tested?
Yes to both - certificates available on demand.
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Does the band always use the same personnel?
We promise to deliver the highest quality of musicianship. There are sometimes occasions when the original members of the band are not able to make an event, and they will be replaced by a musician of equal ability and experience. We have a pool of extremely talented, reliable, fantastic musicians who we can call on.