📢 Note: Full Band Pictures Coming Soon!
Formed from the very best of the local session scene around Cambridge, the Magogs Ceilidh Band brings together top-tier musicians to deliver an unforgettable event. Each member adds something unique to our sound—be it driving rhythms, intricate melody lines, or powerful bass and chord sequences.
We offer total flexibility for your special event:
Our ethos is simple: fantastic music, inclusive calling, and unstoppable fun for absolute beginners and veteran dancers alike.
Dates fill up fast—hit the "Check Availability" button to get a quote for your event.
The talented instrumentalists delivering our signature driving folk sound. If you have other instruments in mind let us know; we know lots of other great musicians who can slot into the band easily.
Fiddle / Violin
A powerhouse on the fiddle, Stephen brings a remarkably full, strong sound and relentless energy to the band. Committed to projecting the best live sound possible, he takes pride in driving the rhythm and keeping the dancers moving from the very first note.
Bodhrán
A true bodhrán master highly regarded across the UK and Ireland, Andy provides the rhythmic heartbeat that drives the band's energy. Utilizing a variety of specialised sticks, he coaxes an awesome range of dynamic sounds from this traditional sideways drum to keep the momentum unstoppable.
Button Accordion
Paul has been playing the accordion since childhood, bringing a full, rich sound and plenty of low-end "oomph" to the rhythm section. Shifting seamlessly between fast, intricate dance tunes and slow, evocative melodies, he delivers the perfect vibe whether providing a driving ceilidh backbone or elegant background music.
Wooden Flute
A stalwart of the Northumbrian musical scene, our resident flute player brings a wealth of talent and a remarkably powerful, forward-projecting sound to the Magogs lineup. Playing the traditional Irish wooden flute—which delivers a warmer, rounder, and more "woody" tone than its classical counterpart—he provides a rich texture that suits driving ceilidh music perfectly.
Acoustic Guitar
Expressing a deep love for the genre through his playing, Davide is a true natural who is completely self-taught and plays entirely by ear. An incredible accompanist to both traditional folk music and singers, he brings an exceptional harmonic layer to the Magogs that instantly lifts the entire band up a notch whenever he is in the lineup.
Piano
Bringing the rare option of rich piano accompaniment to the band, Sylvie is a total joy to play with and possesses an incredible ear for traditional music. Her fantastic "vamping" style and driving chord progressions inject a brilliant momentum into the rhythm section, effortlessly lifting the entire band to another level whenever she is in the lineup.
Should you be choosing the ceilidh option, these are our friendly experts who walk your guests through the dance steps and keep the energy soaring. We have worked with many callers over the years and these are the very best we have found.
Bringing the effortless crowd control of a deputy headteacher and a lifelong passion for traditional dance, Robin makes ceilidh dancing completely foolproof. Driven by high energy and a brilliantly fun selection of dances, his clear, witty calling ensures a packed, smiling floor all night long for absolute beginners and seasoned pros alike.
Sarah brings a relaxed, humorous, and highly engaging style to the floor. She reads the room perfectly and guides dancers effortlessly through every reel and jig. She always surprises us in the speed in which she manages to explain the dances clearly and have everyone up enjoying themselves.
Approachable, deeply passionate, and fiercely hardworking, Dan delivers a masterclass in ceilidh calling by cleverly evolving dance concepts so the room stays continually engaged. Beyond his expert instruction, his broad artistic talents—including a beautiful singing voice and live harmonica playing—add a wonderful depth of musicianship to his high-energy presence on stage.
A true queen of ceilidh calling, Mary combines legendary instruction with a commanding presence, having shaped the UK ceilidh circuit through her work at high-profile festivals and by mentoring the next generation of callers. By expertly layering new dance concepts throughout the night, she keeps the evening evolving, interesting, and packed with high energy from start to finish.