What technical and other requirements does a Ceilidh band
have?
Power source: Access to an ordinary properly earthed 13A plug-point is the
only essential requirement for the Band. Depending on the size of the band,
it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to set up PA systems and instruments.
Mains electricity is ideal but using a generator is fine too. (See Point
6 – Venues – about Marquees – and use of generators)
The band reserves the right to refuse to use an electricity source if it
believes the wiring system is faulty or dangerous. Some bands do a Mains
test on the night. A band will be unable to play amplified if the power source
is unsuitable – and the Caller will not be heard.
Dance floor: Many venues have a purpose-built, solid, wooden dance floor,
which is the best type of floor for a ceilidh. If there is no wooden floor,
you can dance on carpet, but you lose the opportunity of noisy “foot-stamping” which
is part of the fun! Watch out for floors that are very slippery - some venues
have a tiled or polished floor and this can be dodgy when doing the faster
ceilidh dances. Some places offer a segmented “mobile” wooden
dance floor, which the management assembles on the day. These can have quite
steep metal edges and therefore pose a potential safety hazard. In this case,
it’s almost better to dance on carpet than on a floor where people
could trip over at the edges.
Flooring for functions held outdoors or in a marquee: It’s not easy
dancing on grass, and concrete can be harsh on the knees if you take a tumble.
If at all possible, make sure a marquee has a solid wooden dance floor area,
or, at the very least, heavy-duty rush coconut matting. Please note - the
Band needs covering underneath them in a marquee or if they are playing outdoors – it’s
not acceptable to put equipment and musical instruments on bare grass or
dusty concrete or other potentially damaging surfaces. (see Point 6 – Venues – Marquees)
Staging: It’s a bonus if a good sized stage area is provided but it’s
NOT essential. Some venues have a ready-built stage, others will build a
portable one, but a Ceilidh usually takes place with the band and caller
on ground level. It’s better for the band to set up on the floor rather
than trying to cram onto a stage which is too small. It's easier for the
Caller to move between band and dancers if he or she is on the floor rather
than a high stage.
Lighting: Reasonably bright lighting in the room is best – not as dim
and gloomy as a Disco please! It’s rare for a ceilidh or barn dance
band to have a lighting rig – it’s just not necessary – so
no additional space is required for such things.
Heating: If the Ceilidh is held in a marquee, barn or outdoors, even in the
summer, the band may well need access to portable propane heating nearby.
Unless you’re dancing, it can be quite chilly in a barn or marquee
later in the evening, and it’s impossible to play well if you are cold!
Chairs and table: Musicians sometimes like the use of some armless chairs
and may need a sturdy oblong table about 1m x 2m for a mixer / amplifier.
Access & Parking: Please consider ensuring easy access to the area where
the Band will be playing. Parking facilities for their vehicles as close
as possible to the venue entrance for unloading and loading our PA equipment & instruments
is essential.
Maps and Directions: Useful for the band and caller! A clear map or directions
for the venue will be requested on confirmation of the booking. Alternatively,
the exact post code of the venue can be used with sat-nav.
Safety and Insurance: Some venues require sight of a band’s current
Electrical Equipment Safety PAT Test Certificates and occasionally they require
evidence of a band’s Public Liability insurance.
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