Formed from the very best of the local session scene around Cambridge, the Magogs Ceilidh Band brings together top-tier musicians to deliver an unforgettable event. Each member adds something unique to our sound—be it driving rhythms, intricate melody lines, or powerful bass and chord sequences.
We offer total flexibility for your special event:
Our ethos is simple: fantastic music, inclusive calling, pro-level audio quality, and unstoppable fun for absolute beginners and veteran dancers alike.
Dates fill up fast—hit the "Check Availability" button to get a quote for your event.
The talented instrumentalists that bring the Magogs sound to life. Most are self-taught and play by ear. If you have other instruments in mind (e.g. pipes, harp, banjo, or tin whistle), let us know; we know plenty of other great musicians who can slot into the band easily.
Fiddle / Violin
A powerhouse and local legend on the fiddle, Stephen brings a remarkably full, strong sound and relentless energy to the band. Committed to projecting the best live sound possible, he takes pride in driving the rhythm and keeping the dancers and music moving from the very first note.
Bodhrán
A true bodhrán master highly regarded across the UK and Ireland, Andy provides the rhythmic heartbeat that drives the band's energy. Utilising a variety of specialised sticks and playing techniques, he coaxes an awesome range of dynamic sounds from this traditional sideways drum to keep the momentum unstoppable.
Button Accordion
A lifelong accordionist, Paul commands a vast global repertoire that spans from traditional Irish and Scottish dance tunes to vibrant Brazilian rhythms and evocative French melodies. His playing combines a rich, full sound with an immaculate sense of rhythm, anchoring the band’s danceable groove. Moving effortlessly between fast, intricate reels and serene, beautiful melodies, Paul provides the perfect sonic backbone for any setting.
Wooden Flute
A stalwart of the Northumbrian musical scene (but luckily for us, now Cambridge-based), our resident flute player brings a wealth of talent, a huge repertoire, and a remarkably powerful, forward-projecting sound to the Magogs lineup. Playing the traditional Irish wooden flute—which delivers a warmer, rounder, and more “woody” tone than its classical counterpart—he provides a rich texture that suits driving ceilidh music perfectly.
Acoustic Guitar
Expressing a deep love for the genre through his playing, Davide is a true natural who is completely self-taught and plays entirely by ear. A gifted and instinctive improviser, he is an incredible accompanist to both traditional folk music and singers, bringing an exceptional harmonic layer to the Magogs that instantly lifts the entire band up a notch whenever he joins the lineup.
Piano
Bringing the rare option of rich piano accompaniment to the band, Sylvie is a total joy to play with and possesses an incredible ear for traditional music. Her fantastic “vamping” style and driving chord progressions inject a brilliant momentum into the rhythm section, effortlessly lifting the entire band to another level whenever she is in the lineup. Her huge smile brings a wonderful presence to the stage that elevates every live performance.
Should you choose the ceilidh option, these are our friendly experts who walk your guests through the dance steps and keep the energy soaring. We have worked with many callers over the years, and these are the very best we have found on both a professional and personal level.
Robin has performed all around the UK and is renowned as one of the country's best professional dance callers. Bringing the effortless crowd control of a headteacher and a lifelong passion for traditional dance, Robin makes ceilidh dancing completely foolproof and is passionate about injecting fun into any event. Driven by high energy and a brilliantly fun selection of dances, his clear, witty calling ensures a packed, smiling floor all night long for absolute beginners and seasoned pros alike.
Sarah brings a dynamic, humorous, and highly engaging style to the floor. Having called for the Folk Prom in the Royal Albert Hall, the St Patrick's Day gathering in Trafalgar Square, and various celebrity weddings and parties, she reads the room perfectly and guides dancers effortlessly through every reel and jig. She always surprises us with the speed at which she manages to explain the dances clearly and have everyone up enjoying themselves.
Approachable, deeply passionate, and fiercely hardworking, Dan delivers a masterclass in ceilidh calling by cleverly evolving dance concepts so the room stays continually engaged. Beyond his expert instruction, his broad artistic talents—including a beautiful singing voice and live harmonica playing—add a wonderful depth of musicianship to his high-energy presence on stage.
A true queen of ceilidh calling, Mary combines legendary instruction with a commanding presence, having shaped the UK ceilidh circuit through her work at high-profile festivals and by mentoring the next generation of callers. By expertly layering new dance concepts throughout the night, she keeps the evening evolving, interesting, and packed with high energy from start to finish.