Bon:Stovi

21st century ceilidh band

about us

...performing with a power energy and spirit that will leave your guests happily exhausted.

Put together prodigious musical talent, exciting and dynamic performances and you have Bon Stovi. The band is a revelation that promises to turn your prized occasion into an extraordinary event. Bon Stovi's arrival on the Ceilidh scene has brought something new, fresh and exciting to the genre; globally experienced players, compelling and imaginative musical arrangements (with fiddles, guitar and drums) and a stage presence that exudes high energy.

  • Exciting and dynamic performances
  • Globally experienced players
  • High energy

Book Bon Stovi and bring to your event some of Scotland's most talented and versatile musicians performing with a power, energy and spirit that will leave your guests happily exhausted.

your ceilidh

Everyone loves a Ceilidh. It's fun, it's sociable, it's exhilarating and all your guests can join in; young or old, experienced or beginners, the nervous and the two left-footed. Strangers become best friends and everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

Here are some of the dances we can call. Please let us know in advance of your event if there are any specific dances that you would like.

Couples' Dances

  • Britannia Two-Step
  • Canadian Barn Dance
  • Circassian Circle
  • Eva Three-Step
  • Gay Gordons
  • Highland Scottische
  • Military Two-Step

Set Dances

  • Cumberland Square Eight
  • Dashing White Sergeant
  • Eightsome Reel
  • Hanging Out The Washing
  • Hooligan's Jig
  • Kielder Scottische
  • Orcadian Strip the Willow
  • Reel of the 51st Division
  • Riverside
  • Strip the Willow
  • Virginia Reel
  • Waves of Tory
  • Witches' Reel

Set Dances

  • Circle Waltz
  • Friendly Waltz
  • Eightsome Reel
  • Pride of Erin Waltz
  • St. Bernard's Waltz

Meet the Band

Bon Stovi's standard lineup is 2 fiddles and caller, guitar and drums. For bigger events we would recommend the addition of our sound engineer.

Katherine Stewart

Fiddle & Calling

A member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and an ASH Music Scholarship to the Royal College of Music; these were early milestones in Katherine's burgeoning career. Trained in classical violin, piano and flute, she also has a strong background in traditional music. She has toured globally, from Nigeria to Hong Kong and all over Europe and has performed at many of the UK's most prestigious events, from the Royal Albert Hall at the BBC Proms to the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival.

Jon Bews

Fiddle

A veteran of the fiddle, Jon Bews came to Scots music from a classical education by way of Goth rock. A prizewinning graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 1994, he has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as Malinky, James Yorkston, Mikel Urdangarin, Ranarim, Deaf Mutes and Samling. In addition to Cantrip, he currently plays with critically acclaimed indie rock quintet The Last Battle.

Tom Oakes

Guitar

Tom is principle flute and DADGAD guitar teacher at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and plays with trio 'The Tom Oakes Experiment'. Tom works primarily as a guitarist with fiddler Ross Couper (Peatbog Faeries). The duo were nominated for best up and coming act in the Scottish Traditional Music Awards of 2011. Ross and Tom have played at such renowned festivals as Shetland Folk Festival in 2012, and Celtic Connections in front of a 1500 sellout at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket.

Steve Fivey

Drums

Stevie attained Grade 1 competition level at only 15 with World Pipe Band Champions Denny & Dunipace Pipes & Drums. A graduate of revered Edinburgh music college Jewel & Esk, Stevie is a leading Scottish percussion teacher at major Scottish youth festivals (Feis Rois, Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin, Splore and the Merlin Music Academy. Stevie has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe with a variety of bands and shows, including performances for Billy Connolly and Prince Charles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you play for?

Our standard playing time is 8pm-11pm with a half hour break. This is flexible though and will vary for every event.

How long does it take you to set up?

We usually like to allow one hour for set up. However, this may vary depending on the size of the event and how much equipment we have to set up. With prior arrangement we can set up early at an additional cost.

Can you play past midnight?

The short answer is yes. However, this does cost more and if it is far away from Edinburgh we may require accommodation. For more information please drop us an email.

Do you bring all your own equipment?

Yes. PA is provided, and should you want lighting or anything extra, just get in touch for a quote.

How much do you cost?

There are many variables to consider, such as playing times and travel. Please send us an email for an accurate quote.

Most of my guests have never been to a ceilidh before...

Not a problem. We will call all the dances as necessary. We like to throw in some more modern, unusual dances which is perfect to level the playing field for a mixed ability crowd.

Will the band travel?

Yes! As along as food and accommodation is provided, there is no limit to how far we are prepared to travel for a gig.

Can we play our own music during your break?

Of course. Just bring a playlist on a laptop, iPod or smartphone.

Ali Fraser

40th birthday, 20th August 2022

Thanks so much for Saturday - you were completely fantastic and really made the night! Everything was just pitch perfect from the kids ceilidh to the epic Orcadian strip the willow. Can't thank you enough honestly.

Iain Dickson

Wedding, 23rd July 2022

I must admit when we make the booking I hadn't clocked that we'd be getting such a stellar lineup... But when you guys arrived we realised that we'd seen all of you play live at various points over the years. Of course, several of our guests knew exactly who you were and kept asking us if we realised that the band members were all really famous. Anyway, it was an absolute privilege to have you play our little wedding and the music was absolutely outstanding.

Winston Choischagrin

Wedding, 18th June 2022

Thank you for adding so much to our wedding day. We've had so much feedback from all of our friends about just how much they LOVED the ceilidh and your energy, specifically. (One person even proposed that we all reel together weekly!)

Cal Harris

Quintuple 30th, 30th April 2022

It was soo much fun. Had an absolute blast. Band was excellent and you were an amazing caller. Have had so many folk asking for your details as loads of the dances were new to them:) Hanging oot the washing and helicopter were my highlights. Also what was the one where you 'handshake' round the room?

Frank Derrington

Triple 30th, 6th November 2021

Everyone was talking about how brilliant the music was - couldn’t have been better! We all had the most amazing time dancing - you provided the soundtrack to what was an evening of pure unfiltered joy!

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For general enquiries, questions, quotes and bookings, please get in touch!

Location:

We are based in Edinburgh, Scotland,
but will travel the world!

Email:

info@bonstovi.com

Call:

+447738394927