The Reel Note Band – Irish Band, Midlands

The Reel Note band has an established place in the traditional Irish music community. Celtic music appeals to all ages and the Reel Note band is flexible in presentation, independent of fixed set lists or playing times. This is ideal for called ceili and barn dances where we meet a wide variety of ages and dancing ability; and of course we have an experienced caller who can get even novices dancing with the best.

During 10 years together we have played for audiences as diverse as a Naturist club and the SAS (not simultaneously, although we now know what ‘going commando’ means) as well as the Irish Embassy, banks, companies and numerous weddings and anniversaries. The Reel Note Band is, as far as we know, the only English band ever to have been invited to perform at the Culturann na hEireann – the headquarters of Irish cultural arts in Dublin - and we have developed a following in northern France where we have our fourth annual tour this summer.

Large venue achievements include supporting the Irish Tourist Board at the NEC Outdoor Show, entertaining a convention of Immunologists at the ICC and a Christmas party on the South Bank for the International Maritime Organisation. The message is in the music and Reel Note knows how to deliver it. We have yet to meet the audience we cannot entertain. Individual band members influence the cultural scene, representing Irish music in concert, fleadh cheoil and trade fairs internationally (Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Ireland and USA) in recent years, meanwhile staying in touch with the Irish pub and club circuit in the English Midlands.

In concert, Reel Note is often supported by Irish dancers in traditional costume and even a shanacha – traditional Irish storyteller. The band’s portable sound system is 1600 watts (bass bin and 2 satellites) PAT tested annually by Leicester Testing. This is adequate for most rooms and audiences up to about 300 and is available for hire with experienced technician when not in use with the band. The system has wireless capability for microphone and in-ear monitoring. For larger rooms and audiences, or soft rooms like large marquees on grass, the band may need to hire in sound reinforcement from 2.2k upwards at additional cost. For technical reasons the Reel Note Band cannot use sound equipment other than its own or which is hired specifically for its use.