DIY Ceilidh are a Newcastle based folk-dance collective. Their wild ceilidh nights have become a firm fixture of Newcastle’s vibrant nightlife, and have grown to become one of the biggest regular ceilidh nights in the country. With a focus on inclusivity and self-expression, DIY Ceilidh creates a unique celebration wherever they go. We are delighted to be once again bringing our unique approach to Saltburn Folk Festival! 

 

DIY Ceilidh features gender neutral calling and a varied repertoire, bringing in your beloved ceilidh classics alongside less known European folk standards, creating a dynamic dance night that flows between the old and new. 

 

Why DIY?

 

DIY Ceilidh take an inclusive approach to their ceilidh’s and encourage anyone and everyone with an instrument to come and have a go at playing in the band. The first four dances and the last two dances of the night will be open for anyone who signs up to come and join in with the band (a sign-up sheet will be available online shortly, along with the tunes and chords). 

 

There will also be a limited number of open floor spots if you want to perform a party piece! There will be games and silliness throughout, and the now legendaryWhisky Roll (a competition involving the rolling of pound coins in the direction of a bottle of whiskey - the pound coin that lands closest to the bottle wins the whiskey! Please bring your own pound coins, all of which will be donated to charity).

 

All are welcome. Chaos is encouraged!

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Meet the band:

 

Frankie Insley (She/Her)

Frankie is your caller! A multi-instrumentalist and morris dancer, she will guide you through a packed repertoire of ceilidh bangers! Frankie loves the shared values between folk and punk — when she’s not playing fiddle and melodeon for ceilidhs, she’s playing bass and guitar in her punk bands Bitchfinder General, Varnish and Ceramic. She’s an ecstatic ball of energy, and is excited to share some ceilidh chaos with you!

 

Jo Feijó (He/She)

Jo is a Lisbon-born dancer who discovered their passion for folk at the age of 16. Coming from the Ballfolk scene, Jo provides a European flavour to the DIY Ceilidh.

 

M (He/They)

M is a clarinet player, singer, and composer from Warwickshire, with a focus on bal-folk and euro trad dance music. They perform as part of The Hearken Quartet, offering a fresh perspective on traditional dance music of the UK, France, and beyond.

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Sam Baxter (He/Him)

Sam Baxter is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from the Peak District. Based in North-East England, he is gaining a reputation for his work with traditional and contemporary folk music. As well as his solo work as a singer and violinist, Sam is a sought-after collaborator; he can be found playing with folk-singer and song-writer Catch the Sparrow and in duo with Scottish violinist Merle Harbron. Sam has also toured in Norway with the Synneva Gjelland Band and works with electronic music producer Jen Mac in her project Heen ‘where traditional music meets contemporary production’

 

Bruce Lambelle - Rudd (He/Him)

Bruce is a Newcastle-based diatonic accordion player and composer, and specialises in the dance music repertoire of Central France and Scandinavia. He currently plays with the Balfolk / Euro dance ensemble The Hearken Quartet, and can be found playing for ceilidhs & bals across North East England.

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Alex Walters (He/Him)

Alex is a Newcastle born and bred multi-instrumentalist, specialising in piano accordion, guitar and keys. Alex plays with the Irish band Ríl Óg, North-East based band Brierdene and the Balfolk / Euro dance ensemble The Hearken Quartet.

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