The Riot Band are an experienced
Bury and Bolton based ceilidh band who play venues in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester,
Yorkshire and throughout the North West of England and North Wales. We play
at folk festivals, parties,
wedding
receptions
and
social events.
As you are probably aware, the great advantage of folk dance
for a party (or any other event) is that your guests need not
know anything at all about folk dancing as the whole thing
is explained by the caller and walked through once or twice
beforehand.
If you choose The Riot Band for your
Ceilidh, Barn Dance, festival, event or celebration or for
your wedding band you can be assured
of a very memorable evening.
The history of The Riot Band
The Riot Band has its origins
way back in the nineteen sixties. Peter Lewis on fiddle, Peter
Fox on piano accordion, Brian
Platt on percussion and Bob Duckworth on tenor banjo, all
members of the now defunct Bury Folk Club, formed The Fiery
Clockface Ceilidh Band.
In the mid 70s,the band re-formed as Chatterton Riot, with Francis Roe and John Hemmingway joining Bob and Pete
Lewis.
In 1978 (or thereabouts),
Ed McGurk joined the band on bass guitar. Shortly after,
the name was changed
to The Riot Band.
The Riot Band went from strength to strength and with Bob’s
son Neil on drums, took on an electric ceilidh band style,
still playing folk music for Ceilidhs, Barn Dances or Hoe Downs,
whatever name you choose, the music and format of the evening
are the same, dancing to the instructions of a caller (or MC
as they are sometimes known).
When Peter Lewis
decided to retire from the band, Emily Roe took his place.
The present line up is
Emily Roe (fiddle), Emily’s dad Francis (melodeon – which
is similar to an accordion, and concertina), Ed McGurk on bass
guitar, Bob Duckworth on electric guitar and Bob’s son
Neil on drums.
We believe that
the blend of experienced musicians, coupled with the exuberance
of the more youthful
members makes for
a really exciting sound. At the time of writing Emily is 19
years old and Neil is a little older at 40. How old are the
rest of the band? That’s for us to know!
In the past we have played mainly in folk clubs and festivals
but we now find ourselves playing more outside the folk scene
at weddings, private functions and golf clubs etc.
How to book the band
If you would like to book The Riot Band for an upcoming event,
please call Bob Duckworth on 01204 88 4297 or
email us at mail@theriotband.co.uk |
