Govannen is a Celtic Ceilidh band based in Leicester and one of the best Barn Dance bands in the UK. Govannen will make any occasion special, blending jigs and reels, with traditional and contemporary Irish & Celtic songs.
Experienced Ceilidh Band
Based in Leicester, Govannen is an experienced ceilidh/barn dance band and one of the best in the UK (ceilidh and barn dance are essentially the same thing). With decades of experience and a fabulous band including not one but two world-class fiddle players, Govannen are a surefire way to get any party started!
Fun & Inclusive Entertainment
Whether you’re after music to rouse the room or a softer atmosphere, Govannen can easily start a musical fire or provide a more chill ambience for quiet events. The band always adds a humorous flair to their performance and, as a good measure, are all very easygoing musicians. There really is nothing like a ceilidh if you’re looking for fun and inclusive entertainment for your guests, be it a wedding, a birthday party or any other event where having ‘the craic’ is of paramount importance! Govannen can also provide a non-ceilidh ‘music only’ option, if that’s what you’re after, to provide a Celtic vibe to your event.
No previous dance experience required!
The focus of a Govannen ceilidh is fun and informality. Having dance experience isn’t necessary, and on the night, the caller will clearly guide you through all of the steps.Govannen have performed at venues all over the UK and are regulars at wedding venues in their home counties of Leicestershire and Rutland such as Belvoir Castle, Barnsdale Lodge, Barnsdale Hall, Exton Estate, Greetham Valley, Holiday Inn Leicester, Quorn Country Hotel, Kelmarsh Hall, Rockingham Castle, Shearsby Bath Hotel, and many more…
Thank you to James at DG Music who worked with me to complete the booking, suggesting an alternative payment process to enable me to book the band. And many thanks to the band, who were fabulous! The music was wonderful, the caller (Ray) was fantastic at getting the guests up to join in and the whole band read the audience perfectly. Thank you!
Everyone really enjoyed your performance – very friendly and engaging so everyone was happy and keen to join in, and I think the mix between ceilidh dances and some more modern song performances was excellent. I particularly enjoyed ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ and I’m sure that contributed hugely to my hoarseness the following morning. I also liked the occasional free form ceilidh dancing which allowed those of us who had drunk slightly more to let rip with the partner dance moves.I’d certainly highly recommend you to anyone who wants a good fun and different post wedding breakfast experience.
Just a quick note to say thank you so much. The band and Paul were just brilliant. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The event was wonderful and everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you for all your help and I will certainly be using you again.
Just to say thank you so much for your superb performance at our wedding reception on Saturday. You were absolutely amazing and really got the celebrations going. We cannot thank you enough and couldn’t recommend you enough in the future.
I wanted to get in touch and say thank you again for the fantastic music and service you provided during our wedding. We were really pleased at how much everyone enjoyed the music, and the dancing – we have had lots of positive feedback. Neil deserves a medal I think for managing to whip everyone into (some sort!) of shape. We had a lovely day, but you definitely made our evening.
We just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the rest of Govannen for helping to make our wedding day so special. Everybody loved the band and the music/dancing was everything we wanted and more.
Just wanted to say a really huge thank you to Govannen for the live music at our party. It was a fantastic night – everyone throroughly enjoyed themsleves and the band contributed immensley to the atmosphere and fun we all had. They were brilliant in every way. Discreet setting up, flexible in their timing and responsive to the moods and tastes of our guests. I received so many positive comments about the night and most mentioned how impressed they were with the quality of the musicians. There was a splattering of Irish among the guests too, who enjoyed every minute! The band played some great choices of music and certainly got everyone up on the dance floor, which is what I had hoped for.