Skip to main content
My Wishlist
0
1 v3 18 8
  • Overview
  • Videos (1)
  • Listen (11)
  • Set list (70)
  • Reviews (15)
  • FAQs (26)
  • Gallery (18)
  • Further Info
  • Get Quote

Hickory Smoke

From £1,470

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £1,470

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

Hickory Smoke are a lively and experienced Folk & Celtic style band. Their only aim is to keep you dancing all night long with a great variety of classic and modern folk style songs. 

Hickory Smoke are a  lively folk/Celtic punk band with tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, America and England. They are available for performing concerts, barn dances or ceilidhs, pubs, festivals, weddings, birthdays, BBQ's or any other parties! Usual 5-piece line up of the band is caller/vocalist/guitar, violin, guitar, bass and drums, with backing vocals from other members of the group adding to the full sound. 

The band perform a range of music (both songs and tunes) from traditional Irish, Americana, sea shanties and much more - often being compared to The Levellers and Dropkick Murphys. Hickory Smoke can also cater for Scottish 'flavoured' Ceilidhs, although for most Barn Dance/ Ceilidhs it is generally mixed to allow dancers of all experience levels, and ages, to enjoy themselves.

The music can be fast and exciting - great for stomping your feet - or slow and relaxing - great for chilling between the stomping!

Your wedding day is important to you, and it’s important to know that everything is in hand. Hickory Smoke have a few different wedding services that they can offer, but are also flexible – so if you want to combine parts, or mix and match or have a different idea, do talk to us! Whether it is providing procession or exit music for the ceremony, or playing your first dance live, they are well equipped to make your day special.

If you have a special song you would like the band to learn, please do talk to us. In most cases they can learn it for you, but if they’re not able to learn the song, they will let you know in plenty of time and are always more than happy to load the requested song onto the iPod before the event, and play it through their PA for you, then start the live music immediately after.

Equally, if you're just after music that everyone can dance to, that’s fine! Hickory Smoke have a great mixture of tunes and songs that they play from traditional folk, to obscure rock with our own twist and bits and bobs in-between as well. They can keep the party going as long as you need us to with our wide range of songs and bouncy Irish Jigs.

What this Ceilidh thing I’ve heard about?

In their own words: "Ah, so glad you asked! You may have heard it referred to as a Barn Dance before – but Ceilidh is where we bring our best Irish and Scottish tunes, and our own dedicated Caller. The Caller’s job is to get people’s bums off seats, and to teach them different dances for them to do along with our tunes. This is a very, very fun evening – you’ll be surprised by just how many people actually really do enjoy themselves – especially when they see all their friends making a fool of themselves. But don’t worry, we wont make fun of you – if you give us enough encouragement we might even join you for a dance!

It isn't hard at all. We have our own dedicated Caller there to guide you through it, and we’ve had children as young as 5 joining in with the dances before! We can also do a dance for the bride and grooms exit – we have a great little dance called Strip The Willow, where the top couple will dance their way down the row of guests, linking arms and having a quick swing with everyone on their way out – almost like a guard of honour to your vehicle that’s whisking you away for the evening. This gives you a perfect way to say goodbye to everyone, and straight into your car!"

What about when you’re not playing? 

The band need to take a break about halfway through the evening to refuel. When this happens, they’ll play an iPod through our PA – you can provide one for them to put on or you can chat with the band beforehand and give them an idea of what type of music you want played and they’ll fill their own playlist for you and play that – so you don’t have to worry about the music at all!

They also provide a manned DJ service as an add-on so either way your full evening of entertainment is catered for. 

They also offer smaller line-ups if required for a smaller performance space or tighter budget (a 4 piece with guitar/percussion combo rather than drums, or an instrumental 3 piece). There is also the option to add on a daytime set (from duo all the way to the full band) to any evening booking - just enquire.

To check availability and to get an instant price for Hickory Smoke, add them to your shortlist now. 

Listen

Set list

Covers
*
Beautiful Day – Levellers
Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something
Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
Dancing In The Moonlight – Thin Lizzy
Dirty Old Town – Traditional
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
Fields of Athenry – Traditional
Fifteen Years - Levellers
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
Galway Girl – Ed Sheeran
Galway Girl – Steve Earle
Hey Brother - Avicii
Ho Hey - Lumineers
I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons
I’ll Be There For You – The Rembrandts
I’ll Tell Me Ma - Dubliners
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Irish Rover - Traditional
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry
Little Respect - Erasure
London Town - Bellowhead
Matty Groves - Traditional
Mr Brightside – The Killers
One Way – Levellers
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Shotgun – George Ezra
Shut Up & Dance – Walk The Moon
Summer of 69 – Bryan Adams
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns n Roses
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Three Drunken Maidens - Traditional
Twist & Shout – The Beatles
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
Wake Me Up - Avicii
Walk The Line – Johnny Cash
What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor - Traditional
Whiskey In The Jar – Thin Lizzy
The Wild Rover - Traditional
*
Instrumental Tunes
*
Auld Lang Syne
The Bear
Bonnie Kate
Cock o’ The North
Devil Among The Tailors
Dorset Four Hand Reel
Drowsy Maggie
Enrico
Galopede
Gypsey’s Hornpipe
Haste To The Wedding
Hocus Pocus
Indian Point
Irish Washerwoman
Jiggery Pokery
John Ryan’s Polka
King of The Faieries
Lannigan’s Ball
Mairi’s Wedding
Rattlin’ Bog
Rochdale Coconut Dance
Salmon Tails Up The Water
Scotland The Brave
Seven Stars
Sloe
Speed The Plough
Spirit of The Dance
Swallowtail Jig
Tarantella
Ten Penny Bit
Toss the Feathers

Reviews (15)

Hickory Smoke

Hickory Smoke were the perfect band for our big day. Karl was so ready to talk to when organising our wedding, he and the band put in a great performance in the evening. They could play our first dance live which was very special. The live covers were a real crowd pleaser and the ceilidh dances were well explained so everyone could enjoy. Thanks again!

28th September 2024

Hickory Smoke

Karl and the band were excellent. I was apprehensive about having a Céilidh for the wedding as a number of our guests had never done one before but Karl was really good at explaining the moves and the guests absolutely loved it. It was a real feature of our wedding that everyone will remember for years to come. Thank you Hickory Smoke, I would recommend you to anyone.

24th October 2023

Hickory Smoke

Hickory Smoke were amazing and fantastic value for money. They really read the vibe of the room, switching between traditional ceilidh songs and more well-known covers, including songs that we had requested. Our guests were definitely not the best at following dance routines (especially after a few drinks)...but they handled it like pros! It was great entertainment - unique, inclusive, and our guests loved it. Thank you!!

20th May 2023

Hickory Smoke

We would like to thank Karl and the team for a fantastic evening, they were professional, entertaining, fun and easy to follow the dance moves. The communication was also great from the band, always taking our comments into consideration. It was a fabulous evening reception and we would strongly recommend to our friends and wider family! Thank you!

30th July 2022

Hickory Smoke

Guys were great, catered to all our needs and dressed to the theme of party.
Great music, great vibe and a great night , Thank you all.

4th September 2021

Hickory Smoke

Hickory Smoke were a great band for a wedding and got people up on the floor for a really good ceilidh. They were flexible with timings and volume and great people to deal with. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

17th February 2018

Hickory Smoke

What a fabulous band. These guys were amazing. So accommodating and brilliant musicians. I love Irish music jigs and reels especially and I couldn't leave the dance floor. The music they played had given me goosebumps. All the guests really enjoyed them. Hickory Smoke got the guests involved in group dances which everyone loved. Fantastic guys . Thank you for making our day amazing. Highly recommended

21st January 2017

Hickory Smoke

These guys were great. Both myself, my husband and all of our guests would highly recommend this band. Not only were they lovely people but they got everyone up and dancing with a great sense of humour. The communication before the wedding in choosing a first dance and any songs we particularly wanted was very good with Paul, and even when we changed our mind on the songs a day before the wedding it wasn't an issue. The music was great, upbeat and foot stomping! Just what you want to get a crowd on their feet!

19th November 2016

Hickory Smoke

We can not recommend these guys enough! We had them play at our wedding and everybody loved them. Not only was the music great but they also got everyone involved and having an awesome time. Organising what we wanted was also a breeze as they are a great bunch of guys and very approachable. Thank you again!

14th October 2016

Hickory Smoke

Thanks for putting on a sterling performance last night, you where brilliant and last night was the best entertainment we have ever had at an event like that.

8th October 2016

Hickory Smoke

We hired them for our engagement party and we loved them! The party was about 100 guests in total, and held in a social club. The comments we've had from our guests have all been very positive, everyone had a great laugh, which was shown by the dance floor being full for practically the whole night. Hickory Smoke are a fun, entertaining, and talented band, with a folky sound that you can't help but get up and have a boogie to. They were also very easy to deal with when booking, very down to Earth and accommodating for any of our requests, even learning a couple of songs for the evening that were special to us, which was a lovely and much appreciated touch. Overall I have to say the Hickory Smoke are a perfect band if you're looking for a bouncy party, with a great folk feel, and I wouldn't hesitate in booking them again or recommending them to friends and family! We'll be seeing them again at the wedding!

24th September 2016

Hickory Smoke

Fully satisfied. Communication was very good prior to the event. We were originally anxious about going for a genre that we wouldn't normally associate with weddings. The music offered great background music an allowed people to mingle, then they stepped it up and got everyone involved and people started dancing. They helped explain to people in a fun way of what to do. All ages could get involved. We had lost of positive comments post wedding about them. 10/10.

17th September 2016

Hickory Smoke

Played at my venue a couple weeks back and absolutely rocked it! They got the crowd up and going, created an amazing atmosphere and sounded great. An added bonus that they just happen to be lovely people as well. Will definitely have them back and couldn't recommend them enough to other venues or parties!

14th May 2016

Hickory Smoke

Hickory Smoke were available to stand in at very last minute when our original band dropped out, and we've had nothing but good feedback about the music and have booked them again for our Summer Fete!

16th April 2016

Hickory Smoke

Hired the band for our School Burns Night and was blown away by their professionalism and performance! They had all our staff on their feet to dance the night away. Lovely friendly guys, would not hesitate to book them again! Cannot recommend them highly enough!

30th January 2016

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 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.

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 your first dance or a special request. Other songs depend on the time frame given and what the songs are. We're always keen to learn new things, so do let us know and we'll try to accommodate as best we can for you.

Can we choose our own setlist?

Yes, within reason. We have a core set of crowd-pleasers that we know works brilliantly, and we're experts at reading a room and picking the right songs on the night to keep everyone dancing. We're also always happy to tweak the setlist based on your taste — send us a few "must plays" and a few "please avoids" and we'll build the night around them. Just bear in mind that learning brand new songs from scratch (aside from your first dance) depends on notice — see above!

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 a 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 is a ceilidh, and do our guests need to know how to dance?

Not at all - we bring our own dedicated caller whose job is to talk everyone through each dance before it starts, so complete beginners and children as young as 5 have joined in before. We also mix in well-known covers alongside the traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, so it works for guests who've never done a ceilidh as well as those who have.

What is your line-up?

Our standard set-up is a 5-piece with caller/vocals/guitar, a second guitar with backing vocals, fiddle, and bass and drums with backing vocals. If you have a smaller venue or budget, we can also offer a leaner 4-piece with guitar and percussion instead of a full drum kit, or a 3-piece instrumental line-up.

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.

How long do you perform for?

As standard, we provide 2 x 1hr or 3 x 40 minute sets as required on the night, up until midnight. We can play past midnight, but it can incur an additional fee. We are flexible though and will always try to accommodate your requirements. We can also add an additional 1hr set for a small fee!

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.

Further Info

Line-Up

  • Default Line Up
  • 5 Piece:
  • Caller/Vocals/Guitar
  • Guitar/Backing Vocals
  • Fiddle
  • Bass and Drums/Backing Vocals

Performance Times

Booking Add-ons

  • Manned DJ Service
  • Additional 1hr Set
  • Smaller Lineups Available
  • Early Arrival
  • Daytime Acoustic Duo
  • Daytime Entertainment Options Available
  • Late Finish (After 11pm)
  • Daytime Acoustic Band Add-on

Provided by the Act

  • PA System
  • Complimentary Unmanned DJ Service (when not performing)
  • Able To Work With Sound Limiters
  • Stage Lighting
  • Public Liability Insurance & PAT Tested Equipment

Check availability and price for Hickory Smoke

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!

Copyright © 2026 Hireaband. All rights reserved. Terms of Business|Privacy Policy
Web Design & Development by Web Integrations