A Day In The Life Of Celtica ...An Awesome Ceilidh Band For Hire!

Being in an Irish/Ceilidh band, the common misconception is that you work just a few weeks a year - Burns Night, St Patrick’s Day and Christmas. But no! That couldn’t be more wrong – especially if, like me, you manage and run the band too!

We are currently enjoying our busiest year ever, and with that comes all the background work employed in getting us out and to your functions. Not to mention the work involved when we get there. Here’s the lowdown.

Saturday

9.00 am
Check emails to make sure there are no changes to tonight’s gig. We’re Birmingham based and playing at a Rotary Ball in Skegness tonight.

9.15 am
My lodger (who also happens to be a superb dressmaker and costume designer), calls me into his workshop to try on my new velvet coat for the show. This man is a genius – it’s lush!!!

9.30 am
A call from Keith, our guitarist singer. He’s on the train from Kent and making his way over as we speak. We chat a bit about tonight’s set list and the running order. We’ve got two spots, between the wandering minstrels, the DJ, and the Irish dancers.

9.45 am
Back to the computer. There are two contracts from Alive Network to print off, sign, scan and return.

10.30 am
Dash to the printers to pick up the new flyers for tonight. Visit the post office and post the contracts.

11.30 am
Back to do a bit of forward planning as St Patrick’s week is just around the corner. We’ve got 6 gigs in four days, including headlining on St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham Races, so there’s a huge amount of logistics which includes travel plans (as I'm doing the driving) and accommodation.

2.00 pm
Grab a quick snack. Update all the date sheets. Each band member gets an update when I book something new in. And then there are several date sheets to sort out online.

3.00 pm
Keith arrives. We load up the car. One day I’ll treat myself to something a bit bigger than a Ka! Then we sit down for a rehearsal of our new material. It’s vital to constantly update. We offer all the classics, but at a party we know that people want other stuff to dance to as well.

4.00 pm
Off to Skeggy. A good drive, but tired when we get there. And the night has only just begun!

6.00 pm
Set up gear. Emma (our singer) arrives. We meet the host, unpack our clothes, and then wander off to the seafront to get some food. Skegness is VERY bracing in March.

9.00 pm
First spot. The audience is reserved, but we soldiered on and win them over.

10.30 pm
Second spot. Lots of audience participation. They’re up dancing and going mad for this one. We do 2 encores!!

12.30 am
Car loaded, time to head back up the motorway. So tired I can hardly see but the A46 is a dangerous road, so its windows open and we sing on the way home.

3.00 am
Home sweet home. Unload the gear. Let the dog out for a wee. Make fried egg sandwiches and fall into bed.

There’s another one tomorrow afternoon and it all begins again. Good job we love it!