Since forming in 2001, Albireo have become firm favourites in the Greater Manchester area, with appearances at Poynton Ceilidhs, Phoenix Ceilidhs, Ryburn 3 Step, Liverpool Contra and other dance clubs in the North West.

The band play a mixture of tunes. Most are English, Scottish, Irish or American, but others come from further afield and there are some self-penned compositions as well. In recent years we’ve also expanded our repertoire to include many Playford tunes — all played in the Albireo style.

As well as our local appearances, we’ve played at many UK festivals and dances, including Broadstairs Folk Week, Sidmouth Festival, Whitby Festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Chippenham Folk Festival, Chester Festival, Eastbourne International Folk Dance Festival, Lichfield Folk Festival, Oxfolk Ceilidhs, Unicorn Ceilidhs, Coventry Zesty Playford and the Cheltenham Playford Ball at the Pump Rooms.

In Sept 2018, we made our first international appearance as a band, playing for the Paris Contra. In April 2016, we were delighted to play for a Playford Weekend with Andrew Swaine at Halsway Manor and had the great pleasure of playing for the 2017 Wincle Beer Festival!

Details of all upcoming gigs can be found on the gigs page.

Listen to our second album Binary.

The Band

• Tom Kitching: Fiddle, Mandolin.
• Howard Jones: Melodeon, Anglo Concertina, Hammered Dulcimer, Recorder, Vocals.
• Steve Hodgskiss: Piano, English Concertina.
• Rachel Crowther: Bass Guitar, Keyboard.
• Sean Bechhofer: Guitar.

We provide a caller for dances, or we’ll happily work with your caller or MC, or simply play tunes if you prefer. We also bring our own high-quality amplification, so you’ve got no worries about hiring an expensive PA rig or your guests’ ears being assaulted by tunes that sound like they’re being played down the ‘phone. Oh yes, and of course we’re covered by public liability insurance and the equipment’s PAT tested to comply with the Electricity at Work regulations.

The Event

Albireo are available for private bookings. We’ve played for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, conferences, PTA hops and harvest festivals, and are used to fitting in with your existing arrangements. If you and your guests have never been to a ceilidh, ceili, barn dance, hoe down, folk dance or whatever you want to call it before, don’t worry! The caller is there to ensure that everyone has a good time. He or she will introduce the dances and make sure you and your guests are happy with the way the event’s going.

If you’re thinking of booking us – or any other ceilidh band – for your event, you may want to check out our advice on organising a ceilidh. Also, please feel free to contact us by email or phone if you’ve got any questions or to discuss any particular requirements.

Contact

Although we’re officially a five piece band, subsets of Albireo are available for smaller gigs or acoustic settings. Ask Steve for details. Guest players may also make an occasional appearance.