the ceilidh bandidos

benderloch 09-08-08

stephen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:22:16 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos will be playing for a dance in The Victory Hall, Benderloch, by Oban, Argyll, Scotland on the 9th August 2008. This is to support the start of a new arts organisation in the area provisionally called Arts and Culture in Ardchattan. There will be also other forms of entertainment on the night. Please come along and support them.

ceilidh review 24-05-08

stephen — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:20:13 +0000

This gig was for the Caledonia Harley Davidson Club at their Wallace Rally which took place at Stirling Rugby Club.

We were on for a couple of hours before the main act of the evening, a gentle beat combo going by the subtle name of Gun Law. They were much closer to the expected volume levels at a biker rally than our dear selves.

I don’t think I have ever struggled so much to get folk onto the dance floor… they just weren’t up for dancing. Ach well! We managed a few dances and then just resorted to playing some uptempo tunes for them. Looks like things warmed up later on though…. not for the eyes of children!

Stephen’s Nightly Dance Quota - 0 (what can i say?)

wedding 01-08-09

stephen — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:25:37 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos will be playing for a wedding in Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland on the 1st of August 2009.

ceilidh review 17-05-08

stephen — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:17:32 +0000

This was a charity dance in Lochgilphead, Mid Argyll, Scotland on behalf of the Mthunzi & Lilanda Initiative (visit their website here).

The number of folk attending was low so we couldn’t manage the larger set dances, but the dancers that were there were keen to be on the floor. We had a few guests up to sing a song and a special performance of an impromptu dance routine from a couple of eager little dancers. The night seemed to be a success (even though i didn’t win anything in the raffle) and we hope to be involved when the Zambian musicians visit Scotland in August.

Stephen’s Nightly Dance Quota - 3 (hurrah!)

function 19-06-08

stephen — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:05:57 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos played for a private function in Oban, Argyll, Scotland on Thursday the 19th June 2008.

lochgilphead 17-05-08

stephen — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:31:28 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos played in Lochgilphead, Mid Argyll, Scotland on Saturday 17th May 2008 for a charity dance in support of MALI, a Scottish charity bringing young Zambians and Scots together.

kames 06-07-08

stephen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:39:33 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos will be playing in the Kames Hotel, Kames, by Tighnabruaich, Argyll on the afternoon of Sunday 5th July 2008. This is an acooustic session and all musicians and singers are welcome to come and join us.

kames 05-07-08

stephen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:32:02 +0000

The Ceilidh Bandidos will be playing in the Kames Hotel, Kames, by Tighnabruaich, Argyll on Saturday 5th July 2008. Although this is a pub gig and not a ceilidh, it doesn’t mean you have to leave you dancing shoes at home!

ceilidh review 26-04-08

stephen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:18:24 +0000

This ceilidh was for a private party celebrating a joint 25th birthday.

It was our first ceilidh in the new Seil Island Village Hall on the island of Seil, North Argyll. There was a good turnout and we had dancers on the floor for every dance. The guests worked up a head of steam and we finished with a good-going, up-tempo Orcadian Strip the Willow.

We were aware before hand of the problems with the acoustics in the new hall and although we did our best to tweak the sound it really didn’t do us any favours. I am continually disappointed that the architects of many of the new halls in Argyll pay little, if any, attention to the acoustics of the spaces they design. Music plays it’s part in every community space and should be given a higher priority in the design and building of village halls and I am sure it costs more to fix after the build rather than being incorporated in the initial budget. (oh and how about some sprung floors! )

Thanks to all involved in booking us and laying on such a fine party.

Stephen’s Nightly Dance Quota - 0 (I did manage a wee post ceilidh boogie to some classic 80’s cheese)

memories of our first gig

stephen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:48:14 +0000

I can’t quite remember how our first gig came about (care to shed some light on this guys?) but it was for a wedding at a very nice house near Lochgilphead, Mid Argyll. I think the house belonged to the parents of the bride and they had laid on quite an impressive spread. There was the main marquee for dining and dancing, a second marquee with a sumptuous buffet and they were both joined to the main house by wooden floored and covered walkways.

For a new band it was a dream gig. The dancers were very enthusiastic. They filled the floor at the start of every dance and required no encouragement… the perfect crowd for a ceilidh band. The family had invited us to help ourselves to the buffet and the free bar. I remember one large barrel full of ice and beer, and another full of ice and champagne. After the gig we made our way to the buffet marquee and were faced with the very best of Scotland’s cuisine… small mountains of local shellfish, cooked meats from a nearby farm, a fine selection of Scottish cheeses and numerous other tasty dishes.

I think it was while standing in that marquee with a glass of champagne in my hand and a plate of scallops, mussels and crab nearby that The Ceilidh Bandidos made the decision to keep going and play for as many ceilidhs as possible… a very hard decision!