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  • Listen (3)
  • Set list
  • Reviews (7)
  • FAQs (27)
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Hackney Hoedown

From £1,980

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £1,980

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

Hackney Hoedown are a unique and talented group of specialist Ceilidh & Barn Dance Style musicians. With Mad Musicians, Crazy Callers & Dynamic Dancing they are surely the most fun you can bring to your wedding or event.

From Hoxton to Humberside, from Amnesty International to Bestival, Hackney Hoedown are putting ceilidh back on the map! Whether at sell out dances in London or the top summer festivals, this "Anarchic Hillbilly Barn Dancing Squad" will bring a rip-roaring, thigh-slapping, pavement-stomping, exhilarating, heart thumping, blood pumping barn dance creation to any event. Whilst the banjo and the fiddle set the tone, the callers instruct any audience through do-si-do's and strip the willows, until all are involved!

Available in a number of fabulous line-ups. From their standard five piece dance band - with caller, banjo, fiddle, guitar & double bass - to a smaller 3 or 4 piece or a larger line-up on request.

Their standard set structure: 45 Minute Set, 15 minute break, 1 hour set so everyone gets to enjoy the dancing!

They have a variety of different dance callers for different events - from the more traditional to the outright party starting. At bigger events they bring their posse of dancers and flat footers to whip up a storm on stage and in the crowd.

If you want to party all night and wake up with straw in your hair the next day, then check their availability and pricing now or add them to your shortlist. 

Listen

Set list

Hackney Hoedown specialise in authentic Appalachian and Cowboy Hoedown Dances and Music from America. We've extensively researched both a repertoire of proper rip roarin' dances from back in the days before electricity, added a whole bunch of joyous foot tapping fiddle and banjo tunes from the days before speakers, blended it all with an appreciation of modern tastes, and produced a rowdy and raucous barn dance show that'll get everyone up, out of their seats dancing away. Let's party like it's 1865!
Dances include: Circassian Circle, Rip n' Snort, Duck for the Oyster, Birdie in the Cage, Shoot the Owl, Snowball, Hoedown Showdown and more... Tunes include Arkansas Traveller, Rabbit where's Ya Mammy, Flop Eared Mule, Old Joe Clark, Pretty Little Dog, Backstep Cindy, Foggy Mountain Breakdown and more...

Reviews (7)

The band helped us end our wedding celebrations on a great note. They easily adapted to a quite off-schedule timing, and the caller was very helpful in leading our many guests who had never been to a ceilidh through the proper steps. Their talented play got many complements even from those people standing by the side to listen and watch. Would definitely recommend Hackney Hoedown to anyone hoping for a very special evening!

Elisabeth Waelkens & Michael Wee
6th May 2017

The band helped us end our wedding celebrations on a great note. They easily adapted to a quite off-schedule timing, and the caller was very helpful in leading our many guests who had never been to a ceilidh through the proper steps. Their talented play got many complements even from those people standing by the side to listen and watch. Would definitely recommend Hackney Hoedown to anyone hoping for a very special evening!

Elisabeth Waelkens & Michael Wee - Wolfson College
6th May 2017

Exceptional service and the band were great. Thank you for helping to make our wedding special.

Simon Williams - Wedding

Booking for our special wedding day, involving a number of talented musicians and musical enthusiasts as guests! Expectations were very high.The band fully delivered to these expectations in every way. Helping massively with our very specific and perhaps unusual requests!

Hire a band were professional, thorough and a pleasure to work with. I cannot think of a single thing they need to change to their service!!!

Will certainly recommend to others in the future.

Jamie Fitzgerald - Wedding

They were brilliant! Great personalities and great at getting people up to dance. They played well, I can't praise them highly enough.

Gail Rickard - The Bedford

FAQs

How far in advance should we book?

As soon as you know your date, really. Popular dates (weekends, especially in summer) can book up 12+ months ahead, but we've also pulled off cracking gigs with just a few weeks' notice if we're free. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you'll have.

How much do you charge?

You can use the instant quote button on this page to get a price straight away — your fee will appear on screen, and you'll also get a follow-up email confirming it. If we're available and you're happy with the price, get back in touch with the Hireaband team to secure the date. It's very much first come, first served, so if we're available, don't hesitate.

What's your payment and cancellation policy?

Hireaband will ask for a reservation fee to secure your date, with the remaining balance due before the event (your booking confirmation will have exact dates and amounts). If you need to cancel or postpone, get in touch as early as possible — the closer to the date, the harder it is for Hireaband to fill the slot, so the cancellation terms reflect that. Full details are in your booking agreement, but the Hireaband team are always happy to talk through the specifics.

What if any timings change after booking you?

No problem at all. We know that timings and details aren't always set in stone at the booking stage, and plans have a habit of evolving as your big day gets closer. We're happy to be flexible around changes to your schedule, and if you decide further down the line that you'd like to add on any extra services, just get in touch with the Hireaband team and they'll sort it out for you.

What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?

Totally understandable if this all feels a bit new! Booking a band is a big part of your day, so we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. We've performed at countless weddings, festivals and events, and the Hireaband team will guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry right through to the big day itself. If you're ever unsure about anything, just ask — that's what we're here for.

Is Hackney Hoedown suitable for a wedding or just festivals?

Both - Hackney Hoedown are just as at home headlining a barn dance at a festival like Bestival as they are getting a wedding party up and dancing. Their mix of banjo, fiddle and a larger-than-life caller works well for a ceilidh-themed wedding, an evening reception, or a corporate away-day looking for something a bit different.

Can we see you perform live before booking?

We don't always have public gigs to invite you to (weddings tend to be private!), but we're always happy to jump on a call and talk you through what to expect. A public performance will often be posted on this page too, so it's worth checking back — and if we do have one coming up, we'll gladly send details your way.

How much contact will we have with the band before the wedding?

Hireaband will put you in direct touch with us around 3 months before your date, so you can go through all the finer details together — song choices, timings, any special requests and so on. In the meantime, the Hireaband team are always on hand to answer any questions you have, so you're never left waiting.

How many songs will the band learn especially for me?

We're happy to learn a special tune or dance for your event if you give us enough notice. Otherwise, our caller and band pick dances on the night to suit the crowd, so do let us know if you have any favourites and we'll try to include them.

Can we choose our own setlist?

Yes, within reason. We have a core set of dances that always go down brilliantly, and we're experts at reading a room and picking the right dances on the night to keep everyone on the floor. Let us know if you have any favourite tunes and we'll do our best to include them, but bear in mind that brand new material takes notice to prepare.

Do we need to know how to ceilidh dance already?

Not at all - that's exactly what the caller is there for. Hackney Hoedown's callers talk everyone through each dance step by step before the band strikes up, so complete beginners and experienced dancers end up on the floor together. It's designed to be chaotic, inclusive fun rather than a polished routine.

Will you be able to do my first dance?

Given enough notice, yes. It takes a while for us to rehearse a song to the high standards that we set ourselves. If you can give us at least 8 weeks' notice, that should be fine. The song also has to be suitable for the band. If we can't do it justice, then we can put it on an iPod and go seamlessly into our set at the end of it.

How much space does the band need?

This will vary depending on the size of the band and the setup on the night, but we've performed at a huge variety of venues and can comfortably fit into most spaces that have hosted a live band before. If your venue has anything a little unusual about it, we can usually find a way to make it work, so just get in touch if you're not sure and we'll be happy to advise.

What line-up options does Hackney Hoedown offer?

Hackney Hoedown's standard set-up is a 5-piece ceilidh band with caller, banjo, fiddle, guitar and double bass, but they can scale down to a leaner 3 or 4-piece for a smaller venue or budget, or bring in extra musicians and dancers for a bigger event. Whatever the size, the caller is there throughout to talk everyone through the dances.

How long do you take to set up?

We ask for around an hour to set up and check everything is working, but if it needs to be shorter, just let us know and we'll always accommodate as best we can.

How far will you travel?

We regularly perform all over the country, so distance really is no object, but we will require an additional fee for travel and may need bed and breakfast arranged for us. Any price you receive already includes travel costs, so there won't be any surprise extras on top.

Will we need to feed you?

It depends on timings, but generally some hot food would be hugely appreciated. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Normally a catering company will provide a 'crew meal' as part of their package, or we're happy to have evening food that's already available.

What do you wear?

We tend to be 'smart casual' as in our pictures and video. However, we can be smarter or more casual depending on your event and requirements.

What is the standard set structure for Hackney Hoedown?

Their usual structure is a 45-minute first set, a 15-minute break, then a further hour of dancing, giving guests plenty of time to catch their breath between do-si-dos. They're happy to talk through timings with you if your event needs something different.

Do you take breaks, and what happens to the music then?

Yes, we'll take short breaks between sets to grab a drink and catch our breath! During these breaks we'll have background music playing through our own PA system, so there's never a dead moment on the dancefloor. Just let us know if you have a particular playlist or Spotify account you'd like us to use.

Will the band provide a DJ service?

Yes, as standard we provide a playlist DJ service whenever we're not performing — so between sets and after our last set, right up until midnight (or your curfew if earlier). These are tried-and-tested playlists that we've refined over countless events, but you're also welcome to send us your own playlist to play instead. If you'd like a bit more than that, we offer an upgrade to a manned DJ service, where a band member stays on hand throughout to look after the music and take requests on the night.

Can you arrive earlier and finish later?

Our standard on-site time runs from 6pm to midnight, but we're happy to be flexible around your schedule. Whether you need us there earlier for an afternoon slot or performing later into the night, just let us know your requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate — additional fees may apply for extended hours.

Do you offer any optional extras?

Yes! On top of our standard package, we can offer a range of optional extras for an additional fee — things like extra performance sets, a manned DJ service, acoustic sets for your ceremony or drinks reception, and more. Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll see what we can put together for your day.

Do you provide all your own equipment?

Yes, all we need is a clear area in which to set up and a power supply.

Are you insured and PAT tested?

Yes to both. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our equipment is PAT tested annually. Hireaband will send your venue any certification that's required.

Can you work with sound limiters?

Yes. We don't 'love' them, but we absolutely can work within them.

What happens if one of the band is ill on the day of my event?

We have a network of fellow musicians that we can call on to stand in on the rare occasion one of the band is ill. On top of that, Hireaband is the UK's biggest entertainment agency and has access to dozens of wedding bands in your area even at the very last minute. However, we've never missed a gig yet.

Check availability and price for Hackney Hoedown

To find out if this act is available and what it would cost to hire them, please fill out the form.

To ensure the quote is as accurate as possible, remember to tell us the postcode or nearest town to your venue. Good Luck!

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