Bellows, Scratchitt & Pluckitt

Ceilidh & Barn Dance Band

Meet the Band

Nick Murphy

Nick is a founder member of the band and plays the Squeezebox (melodeon). He loves learning new tunes in a variety of genres. He also enjoys playing the Pipe & Tabor for the Dolphin Morris Dance Side.

Nigel Bull

Nigel has been a member of the band for a very long time and is an extremely talented musician. He plays guitar for the band, but is often seen playing other stringed instruments and drums.

Wil Walker

Wil is an incredible fiddle player who is very much in demand. He plays with us when he is able but is often called away to play for a Rapper Dance side as well as performing with many people on the folk scene (he also presents a weekly Folk Music show).

John Hemmingway

John is our superb bass player. An all-round musician, John can often be seen performing in a range of genres in Nottingham clubs. 

Charlie Corcoran

Charlie is an amazing caller. He has a broad repertoire of dances and a wonderful ability to pick exactly the right ones to fit the event and the skill / confidence of the dancers.

Martin Gallimore

Martin covers for Wil when he is not available and is a remarkable talent. He plays fiddle for the band, but is also an accomplished guitarist and accordianist. 

Ceilidhs & Barn Dances

What are they?

Ceilidh, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is “a social event with Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing.”Barn Dance is described as “a dance for a number of couples moving round a circle, typically involving changes of partner.” Our events blend the best of both, combining lively folk music with engaging traditional dances—minus the singing. Our repertoire includes not only Scottish and Irish tunes, but also a variety of English and international dance music.

What to Expect at Our Dance Events

A typical evening with us is split into two halves, with a break in the middle. Our friendly and experienced caller will guide everyone onto the dance floor, arranging dancers in either sets or circles (usually with a partner). They will then provide clear instructions, walking the group through the steps before the band plays the accompanying music. Dances are typically called in pairs, with a break for drinks, chats, and a breather in between. The band will play a few tunes during these breaks, showcasing an eclectic mix of music to keep the energy high.

Our talented caller will start with simple, easy-to-follow dances, gradually adjusting the difficulty throughout the evening to match the skill level and enthusiasm of the group.

A Fun and Inclusive Experience for All

One of the best things about our ceilidh and barn dances is that everyone can join in, making it an ideal choice for events like weddings, where guests from different families and friend groups can mix and interact. No experience is necessary, and all ages can take part.

What We Provide

  • Excellent Sound System: We bring our own high-quality PA system, all PAT tested for safety.
  • Event Setup: We arrive 45 minutes before the event to ensure everything is ready to go.
  • Duration: We typically play for up to 3 hours, including breaks.

For weddings, we’re happy to collaborate with the couple in advance to provide a memorable first dance if desired.

Let us bring the joy of ceilidh and barn dancing to your event—an evening of fun, music, and great company awaits!

Where We Perform

We are based near Nottingham and generally perform in the East Midlands area, including Nottinghamshire and much of Derbyshire and Leicestershire but please don’t hesitate to ask if you are further away.

How to make a booking

Please use the Contact form below and give us as much detail as possible about the occasion, the likely venue and numbers attending. We’ll then get back to you very quickly (generally within 24 hours).

Watch our videos

What People say about us.

All our Google reviews are  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Here’s a few to view:

  • Nick and the guys were amazing at our wedding recently they made it so much fun and easy for people to follow.

  • We had them perform for our wedding and they were great! My family and friends really loved it. If you want a fun way to get everyone dancing and a band to do it, they are the band for you.

  • Fantastic Band! We absolutely loved having them for our wedding.

  • These guys couldn’t be recommended enough! They played for our wedding, and despite completely wayward guests taking the ceilidh into their own hands we had an absolute blast! Thank you so so much!

  • All communication was super easy, Nick answered all my questions and more. He went above and beyond for us to make our day extremely special.Thank you guys!

Contact Us:

google6d047c19cfd99ebc.html