Available to book from POA. For an accurate quote please make an enquiry.
Cat’s Claw are arguably South Wales’ hardest-working ceilidh band. An energetic and professional unit with over 20 years’ experience, their unique mix of well-known and more unusual tunes and dances brings new excitement to the ceilidh experience. If you want a foot-stomping, roof-raising, rollicking good time, look no further-acoustic instruments creating an electric atmosphere!
The sort of music we play is basically traditional dance tunes from wherever we can get them, and our standard line-up is melodeon, fiddle, flute and guitar. There’s no set format, or length of time that we play for, and we’ll be as flexible as we can – we just aim to make your evening fun. Our caller is very experienced at getting people up to dance, and ensuring that everyone can join in by fitting the dances to the audience’s abilities (or lack of!). It’s good for all ages too, and encourages people to mix…
If you’d like to book us we can sort out details nearer the time – it’s your event, just tell us what you want! We always arrive in plenty of time to get set up (it only takes about 20 minutes) to start whenever you want, and will play for as long as you like (within reason – if we’re still there at breakfast time there’s a surcharge!). We have a full PA system which is flexible enough to cope with anything from a small room to a festival setting, and we’re very used to playing in marquees. The caller has a mobile microphone so that he can actually get in amongst the dancers when he’s initially explaining the dances, which we feel gives a personal, friendly touch.
As far as space for dancing goes, we’re not prescriptive about that. We’re used to fitting into whatever space is available, and always discuss this with the customer and the venue representative on arrival to make sure that everyone’s happy with the arrangements. We’ve found that this approach works well, and we’re flexible enough to cope with almost anything-we’ve even had a dance going on in someone’s kitchen after the marquee in their garden blew down!
Members of the band are all full-time musicians specialising in traditional folk music, and bring this experience to every performance. You'll know that all of the he practical, professional, and logistical arrangements will be clear in advance, and you'll hear the difference in the performance...
= areas covered (up to 100 miles)We’re used to fitting into whatever space is available, and always discuss this with the customer and the venue representative on arrival to make sure that everyone’s happy with the arrangements. We’ve found that this approach works well, and we’re flexible enough to cope with almost anything-we’ve even had a dance going on in someone’s kitchen after the marquee in their garden blew down! All we need is access to a couple of normal 13 amp power sockets...and four chairs for the band...
The address! After that, we're well used to making the best of what's available. The "waiting room" for us and the DJ at one very nice barn venue was a bay in a stable next to the owner's donkey...but the staff and guests were all lovely, and we had one of the best evenings ever!
Yes, we’re completely self contained. We have a full PA system which is flexible enough to cope with anything from a small room to a festival setting, and we’re very used to playing in marquees. The caller has a mobile microphone so that he can actually get in amongst the dancers when he’s initially explaining the dances, which we feel gives a personal, friendly touch.
We’re happy to play music from Spotify before and between our sets. We’re happy to choose the music ourselves or let the client choose the music.
As far as using the PA for music after we have finished, we’re happy to play your own music for a first dance or in an interval, but we usually advise that it’s best for you to make alternative arrangements for the rest of the evening with the venue, as it gives you more flexibility about your music and times-most places nowadays should have an in-house PA system or be able to advise about sourcing one locally.
it’s your event, just tell us what you want! We always arrive in plenty of time to get set up (it only takes about 20 minutes) to start whenever you want, and will play for as long as you like (within reason – if we’re still there at breakfast time there’s a surcharge!).
There’s no set format, or length of time that we play for, and we’ll be as flexible as we can – we just aim to make your evening fun. Our caller is very experienced at getting people up to dance, and ensuring that everyone can join in by fitting the dances to the audience’s abilities (or lack of!). It’s good for all ages too, and encourages people to mix…
We’re happy to play outside but we ask for shade,/shelter a flat level surface and a power supply close to the performance area. It's worth remembering that even in summer once the sun starts to set it can start getting damp and dewey, and this can affect the instruments and PA...and the guests!
We don't have a set repertoire, as this varies with each particular event. We're always happy to discuss playing an individual request, eg for a First Dance at a wedding. We can also focus on a Welsh, Scottish, Irish, English or American repertoire if people want a specific "feel" for an event, for example a "hoe-down", a barn dance or a Burns' Night ceilidh.
Some quotes from feedback from recent bookings:
"You were amazing and really got the party started".
"We started out with high anticipation.... we ended with expectations exceeded!
All-round 5 stars for the practical, professional, and logistical stuff. 6+ stars for personality and friendliness:) 10 stars for the reciprocal engagement with the floor and the mood".
"What an amazing evening we had! What a blessing I heard about you!!". "All of our guests had an absolutely brilliant time and we have had so much positive feedback about the ceilidh. It was so so much fun we loved every second!"
"Everybody just absolutely loved the night and obviously this was down to you."
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