Live Wedding Music Essex

Jack’s Alive – Barn Dance Band for Weddings, Village Events & Ceilidhs

2018 wedding awards winner
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Jack’s Alive - Barn Dance Band Get quote

PRICE: from £875 (5x piece band including caller) | compare prices


Biography - About us

Looking to hire a barn dance band for your wedding, ceilidh party, village fundraiser, or corporate function? Jack’s Alive is one of the UK’s most exciting and experienced ceilidh bands for hire, delivering high-energy live folk music with a twist.

This in-demand 5-piece barn dance band blends traditional English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish folk tunes with the vibrant influences of rock, jazz and contemporary rhythms—perfect for couples looking for fun and interactive wedding entertainment that gets everyone on their feet. Whether you’re planning a rustic country wedding, a summer festival-style reception, or a community dance night, Jack’s Alive bring the party to life. With a repertoire of over 140 traditional and modern dances, they can tailor every setlist to suit all age groups and abilities—from absolute beginners to seasoned dancers. The magic lies in their talented live caller, who guides guests through each dance with clear, friendly walk-throughs before the music kicks in, creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.

Their ceilidhs typically include up to 3.5 hours of live music, split by a break to keep energy levels high throughout the evening. They're available across Essex, London, Kent, Surrey and the South East of England. You can even combine the ceilidh with a live DJ set for a full evening’s wedding entertainment package.

If you’re searching for a barn dance band for weddings, a ceilidh band with caller, or a fun and engaging folk band for events, Jack’s Alive guarantees a night of foot-stomping music and laughter-filled memories.

What we do and FAQ's

How long does it take you to set up?
About two hours

How much performance space do you need?
Width: 5m x Depth:3m

Are you happy to perform outside?
Yes, weather permitting or if a suitable protective cover is provided.

Can you learn requests or a first dance?
We can usually respond positively to special requests but would ask to be given at least 4 week's notice.

How long do you play for?
Our minimum fee includes up to 3.5 hour of playing for dances plus a 30 minute break about half way through (total 4 hours).

Do you provide your own lighting?
Ambient light is sufficient.

What do you do during your break(s)
We, or our clients, can provide suitable background music using a smartphone through our PA.

My venue has a sound limiter – is that a problem?
Our regular drummer also has an electronic kit so sound limiters are not usually a problem.

Where are you based?
Based in Chelmsford, Essex, covering Kent, London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and UK.

Repertoire - the music/songs we play

We have a repertoire of over 140 dances covering a wide range of abilities. A typical programme of 12 dances includes circle, longways and square set dances. At least one strip the willow dance is included unless specifically requested otherwise.

For example:
Oxo Reel
Clopton Bridge
La Russe
Botany Bay
Boston Tea Party
Foula Reel
Country Bumpkin
Thread the Needle Square
Sausage Machine
Circle Waltz

Read more...

Testimonials and reviews

"Thank you so much for your amazing performance last night! Will definitely be recommending you to everyone. Please thank everybody in the band as they were all so great and everyone enjoyed themselves."
Wedding, Anna and Chris, Essex 

"Just wanted to thank you and your fabulous band once again for a fantastic Saturday night.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. You really made my 60th birthday so memorable."
60th Birthday Party, Jane Moore, Essex

"What a great band! Extremely talented musicians, a patient & entertaining caller and lively tunes all helped to create a brilliant atmosphere that really made our party go with a swing. Everyone said they had a wonderful time & the band was great, the only problem was that the evening went too quickly!"
Birthday Party, Julia Frascona, East London

"The evening was joyous. ‘I am exhausted from laughing.’ and ‘My face was aching from smiling so much.’ were just two of the comments."
Ukraine Benefit Ceilidh, Celia Kemp, Essex Folk News

"I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU again for the Barn Dance!  Absolutely everyone I have heard from and spoken to enjoyed it so much and loved the band."
New Year’s Eve Barn Dance, Ellie, Rayleigh Baptist Church, Essex

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