Lanigans Shindig

Overview
Videos (4)
Listen (3)
Set list
Reviews (5)
FAQs (27)
Gallery (8)
Further Info
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From £1,110

Overview

A well established Irish party Band playing Traditional Irish Folk plus Contemporary Covers with a Celtic Twist. An outstanding group of musicians including a Brit Award and Mercury Music Prize nominee. Whatever your age, and wherever you are from, you are warmly invited to the unforgettable Lanigans Shindig.

They deliver a unique blend of Irish classics, party singalongs, and contemporary covers with an authentic Celtic twist. From Polka’s to Pogues, Jigs to Mumford & Sons, or Rollickin’ Reels to Ronan Keating, there’s something for everyone.

A lively Acoustic Band for Weddings, Birthday Parties, Festivals and Corporate Events. If you like Irish songs sung by a real Irish person such as Whiskey in the Jar, Galway Girl, The Wild Rover, Dirty Old Town, Fields of Athenry, I'll Tell Me Ma, Molly Malone then you will love Lanigans Shindig. The set-list includes Irish Songs, Ballads, Reels, Jigs, Polkas, and Waltzes.

The line-up is flexible and can work as a duo (guitar/vocals, whistles/melodeons) Trio add percussion, four-piece add fiddle. They also have the services of a caller should you require one. The Band can play totally acoustic for that Irish pub session feel. They can also wander around your guest tables serenading them with the Irish Craic.

The Band

Padraig (Singer/Guitarist) Padraig was born in Belfast. He lived his formative years in the 1970s against the backdrop of the troubles in Northern Ireland. He worked as a freelance journalist in the 1980s; becoming Northern Irish correspondent for the Irish Post, before gaining a Scholarship to Ruskin College Oxford. It was in Oxford he formed the Traditional Irish band Lanigans Shindig and started writing songs in the late 1990s. A fascination with his country's musical history and a love of the stories that permeate its culture, bring an engaging authenticity to his songs. Capturing the passion and contradiction of the people and places of Belfast has seen Padraig earn the reputation of a modern-day Seanachaí. Not surprising perhaps, that he lists both the great Irish Tenor Josef Locke and Belfast's Kathleen Largey amongst his key musical influences.

Greig (drummer/percussionist) is a founder member of the internationally renowned Guillemots and both a Brit Award and Mercury Music Prize nominee. Greig and Padraig became friends and musical collaborators in Oxford in 1997 before Greig moved to London to become a core member of the Guillemots. Greig was both Percussionist and co-writer helping the band enjoy significant single and album chart successes, and touring globally. Greig has appeared alongside the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Snow Patrol, KT Tunstall, The Script, Beck, Morrissey, REM, Travis and even with a full orchestra at the BBC Electric Proms. Re-united with Padraig in 2013, Grieg’s characteristically innovative style and fluid rhythms form the bands' heartbeat.

Gill - (Whistles/Accordion/Melodeon) has an Honours Degree in Music from Cardiff University. She sports an infectious sense of fun. Coupled with a unique whistle style and a genuine affinity towards Irish tunes, she quickly became an audience favourite. An ever-present since 2002 she also plays squeezeboxes and was the band’s first female member. Living off the same Motorway junction as Padraig they also work as a duo.

Piotr (Violin) Piotr’s searing improvisations take listeners on an edge-of-your-seat musical ride. Now a London based music teacher, his Eastern European style brings a fresh twist to the traditional Irish sound. Padraig and Piotr also first played together in Oxford in 1997 and have been firm friends and musical soulmates ever since. Prepare to be educated as the music comes alive with passion, playfulness and Piotr’s incomparable virtuosity.

Recent clients

Royalty,
the Cast of Eastenders,
Robert Smith (the Cure),
Orlando Bloom,
Kate Winslett,
the Inspector Morse Cast.
The Wales Millennium Centre
The Welsh Rugby Union
The Cardiff Coal Exchange
Sandown Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse
E Festival Fos Llas Racecourse
Cheltenham Race Festival
International Folk Festival Guernsey
Rothsay Folk Festival Scotland
Small Nations Festival Wales
Caerphilly Big Cheese Festival
Bonne Nuit Festival Jersey
Caistor Festival Lincoln
Pontardawe Festival Wales
Sesiwn Fawr Festival Wales
P&O
Stena
Irish Ferries
TV & Radio:
BBC radio Wales 30 Minute Special Celtic Connections
BBC Radio Jersey March 2012
BBC Radio Shropshire April 2012
BBC Radio 2 Titanic Special April 2012
Radio Pembrokeshire Special May 2012
BBC Radio Oxford
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Solent
The band’s music has also been played on radio shows in:
France, Norway, Germany, Holland, USA, Russia, Finland and Poland
Appearances on Cowboys & Indians for S4C TV

Price quoted is for the 4 piece, but also available as a trio and duo

Listen

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Set list

Set List

Irish Classics

Whiskey in the jar

Dirty old town

40 Shades of green

Ill tell me Ma

Star of the county down

Raglan road

Carrickfergus

Dublin in the rare old times

Step it out Mary

Grace

The Galway shawl

Black velvet band

Cunla

Back home in Derry

The leaving of Liverpool

Come by the hills

Sing Alongs

The Wild rover

Danny boy

7 drunken nights

Galway Girl

Brown eyed girl

Fields of Athenry

plus many more Reel, Jigs, Polkas and Waltzes

Reviews (5)

Lanigans Shindig played my wedding recently and they were really impressive. Their music consisted of the Irish standards that every body knew and they had us all singing along to the wild rover and molly malone. A great band, book them, you won't be disappointed.

We booked Lanigans Shindig to play at our daughters 21st Birthday party recently and they were a tremendous success. Everybody really loved their music, they were a lot of fun and really got the party going. The band were charming and highly professional. They arrived on time to set up and entertained the guests both as they arrived and throughout the evening. Everyone at the party both young people and older guests really loved their playing and the range of tunes was fantastic. I would highly recommend this band. They brought warmth and character to the evening. This was definitely money well spent!

Dear Padraig Words cannot express how wonderful you were, at the celebration we had for my mum's passing, at Greenwoods recently. So many relatives asked whether you actually knew mum, as you had made it so personal, they were, as you could probably tell, really enjoying themselves! I could not have wished for a more fitting tribute to my mum, just sad that you couldn't meet her as she would have been your biggest fan that night! With sincere thanks.

Without a doubt the best Irish band I have ever heard! I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for something amazing, full of atmosphere and outstanding enjoyable music. We hired Lanigans Shindig for our wedding and would definitely hire them again. With a mixture of knee slapping, fun jigging, Irish music which everyone can enjoy. You can't miss out on these guys. The diverse collection of songs which they play draws everyone's attention throughout the set and the enthusiasm which the band brings is incredible, the whole room was fascinated and amazed by them, and everyone was dancing. The music aside, the band and Padraig were extremely accommodating with any of our ideas or request throughout our wedding process, the music and presentation was exactly as we wanted on our big day and everything ran very smoothly, the team are very professional and will always do anything to help. Thinking of holding another party, just so we can hear them again! Thanks for everything.

We just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you so much to you and the rest of Lanigans Shindig for playing a fantastic gig at our wedding last month! We had an absolutely amazing time, and you guys were the perfect end to the perfect day. We hope you had as much fun as we did, everyone thought you were brilliant. Thank you too, for the wonderful collection of CD's. It's a lovely reminder of the day.

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 kind of music do we play?

We're a well established Irish party band playing traditional Irish folk plus contemporary covers with a Celtic twist — from polkas to Pogues, jigs to Mumford & Sons, and rollicking reels to Ronan Keating. Our set list includes Irish songs, ballads, reels, jigs, polkas and waltzes.

What line-up options do we offer?

We're flexible and can work as a duo (guitar/vocals, whistles/melodeons), a trio adding percussion, or a four-piece adding fiddle. We also have the services of a caller should you require one, can play totally acoustic for that Irish pub session feel, and can wander around your guest tables serenading them.

Are we experienced with high-profile clients and events?

Yes — our line-up includes a Brit Award and Mercury Music Prize nominee, a founder member of the internationally renowned Guillemots. We've played for royalty, the cast of EastEnders, Orlando Bloom and Kate Winslet, and appeared at major festivals and on BBC radio.

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
Vocals / Guitar
Whistles / Accordion / Melodine
Percussion
Fiddle

Additional Line Up Options
Dedicated Caller

Performance Times

2 x 1hr sets
3 x 40 minute sets

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

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