barn dance band

Barn Dance Band

ceilidh band

Ceilidh Band

Booking Info What people said Photo Album Ceilidh Dances & Music

* Weddings * Parties * Corporate * Festivals * Barn Dances * Burns Nights *
If you're looking for a lively time at your event, professional experienced ceilidh band ThingumaJig has the right package for you.
Scottish Ceilidh | English Barn Dance | Irish Ceili | The dances, music and songs of the British Isles.

"Wow, what a night! Thank you so much for being the perfect band! Everyone is buzzing today, and only a few blisters!"
read more feedback here

Experienced, Professional, Friendly
See for youself why ThingumaJig is one of the most popular Ceilidh Bands in London, and the South East with many repeat bookings - one happy customer has booked us for 14 consecutive years! Foot tapping music, dances and songs from Scotland, England, Ireland and America, played on a fascinating variety of instruments.

Everyone Has Fun!
A Ceilidh or Barn Dance never fails to get everyone involved and makes a success of any event. You can leave it to ThingumaJig to get everyone joining in, and make the night go with a swing!

No Experience Necessary
Our experienced and friendly caller will show you the all the steps and moves needed and encourage you all to dance with an emphasis on having fun.

We are a 4 or 5 piece band plus caller

Call Pete or Mannie to book ThingumaJig
or discuss your requirements.

Tel: 01273 455202
E-Mail: pete@thingumajig.org
Text: 07720 069877
(please leave any voice messages on the landline)

ceilidh band photo

"Last year's [well known ceilidh] band cost a fortune and you were ten times better! Can we book you again for next year?"
read more feedback here


barn dance band photo
smiles are guaranteed!
Vibrant Traditional Music:

Pete McClelland is on Melodeon, Fiddle, Banjo & Bouzouki
Mannie McClelland is on Concertina & also calls dances
Sarah Mooney, Barry Smith, Sam McEvoy play tunes at events where Mannie is the caller
Tom Phelan, Ben Schwausch on Keyboards
John Rain, Dan Dotor-Cespedes on Bass Guitar
and Ollie Boorman, Jack Sinclair, Dave Cottrell on Drums

Regular Callers Mannie McClelland, John Scholey, Liz Scholey call and demonstrate the dances, and make sure everyone has a chance to join in the fun.

Read more about the band and its mambers on the Biography page

Barn Dance - Line Dance - Ceilidh

Anyone Can Dance: ThingumaJig will suit the dancing to the ability of the dancers, whether it is for complete novices, or seasoned folk dancers.

The Right Band for You? We can provide a whole evening of dances, tunes and songs in each of these styles: American (line dance or hoedown), Scottish Ceilidh, Irish (ceili or singalong) or English (ceilidh, barndance or country dance) - or a greatest hits set of a mix of all these styles. We've often been told by Scots, no less, that they have enjoyed our performance more than the ceilidhs they have attended in Scotland.

All Kinds Of Venue From your local village hall to a Folk festival concert stage, from a marquee in the garden to a prestige venue such as the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall or Knebworth, Cliveden and the Dorchester Hotel, the band is comfortable in any kind of venue big or small.

Where Are We? ThingumaJig are based in Sussex and Kent, and we mostly play in London, the South and Southeast of England. We are however available further afield at a price!

How to Book ThingumaJig

What is the procedure for making a booking?
The first thing to do is to phone or Email and tell the band when and where the event is to be, what kind of event it is, and approximate timings if you have them. You will be given a quote based on this straight away. If you haven't seen ThingumaJig before, or been recommended by a friend, you may want to ask for a demo CD at this stage. Once you are sure you want to book, the agreement is made on the phone, or by Email, the date goes in the band's diary at this point, and you will be sent a booking confirmation form to sign and return. A few days before the event the band will contact you to make sure everything is still on course, and to check last minute details. No deposit is required in advance, and payment is made at half time of the event usually.

How long will the band play for?
A normal event lasts perhaps 3 hours with a half hour break in the middle. This is usually enough for most people, but we will be happy to perform longer if needed. We can play background music before the dancing starts if needed, and we have tunes and plenty of well known songs for the breaks in the dancing.

How much will it cost me?
The cost varies from £750 to £900 normally. We will give you a definite price when you contact us. We will base our quote around our standard package of 5 people at £750. The price may be higher if you want us to play for longer than usual, or you are outside of our easy drive-to area south of London. We don't charge a deposit if you book direct with us. Once we have your signed confirmation form, all you have to do is pay us during the event. Read more


ThingumaJig is partnered with Hop Till You Drop Live Music Agency, a source for great wedding and party bands in the UK.