We're a six-piece Glasgow-based band with male and female lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, drums and live saxophone. Between us we cover an enormous range, from Glenn Miller and Sinatra right through to Chappell Roan and Sam Fender, so there's something for every age group in the room. Our manager Jamie looks after all the arrangements in the run-up, and on the night one of the band will run through the plan with you before we start.

More than you might expect. Our sax player doesn't stay on stage. He comes down onto the dance floor for solos, leads conga lines out through the venue and has been known to start a limbo competition when the crowd is in the mood. He's the single thing our couples mention most in their reviews, along with the odd saxophone serenade for the bride. If you'd rather we kept things a little more restrained, just say and we'll play it straight.

Yes, and it's included as standard. Our ceilidh set runs up to 30 minutes and covers the Gay Gordons, the Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow, the Canadian Barn Dance and St Bernard's Waltz. If you'd like more, we can extend it to around 45 minutes by adding a live fiddle player for an additional fee. We call every dance clearly, and we're well used to guests who have never done one before.

It's one of our favourite parts of the night. We've called ceilidhs for American, Canadian, Australian and English wedding parties, and couples regularly tell us their overseas guests loved it and managed the steps fine. We keep the instructions simple, demonstrate as we go and pick the dances that are easiest for beginners. Nobody gets left standing at the side.

Absolutely. Some couples want it first, to break the ice and get everyone mixing. Others prefer it later. We can also split it in two, with some dances early while your photographer is still there and the rest later in the evening. That's an approach we've suggested to a few couples and it has worked really well. Just tell us what suits your running order.

Yes. We bring our own PA system and stage lighting. All we need from you is a clear area in which to set up and a power supply.

Given enough notice, yes. It takes a while for us to rehearse a song to the high standards that we set ourselves. If you can give us at least 8 weeks' notice, that should be fine. The song also has to be suitable for a band. If we can't do it justice, then we can play the original track through our PA and go seamlessly into our set at the end of it. We've learned some fairly obscure first dances over the years, so do ask.

Up to a point. Our set list runs to more than 160 songs across every decade from the 1940s to now, so there's plenty to work with. Before the wedding we'll send it over and ask you for a list of must plays and a list of please avoids. We bring that list with us on the night. We have a core set of crowd-pleasers that we know works brilliantly, and we'll read the room as the night goes on, but your choices shape the evening. Learning brand new songs from scratch, aside from your first dance, depends on notice.

We're happy to learn your first dance or a special request. Other songs depend on the time frame given and what the songs are. We're always keen to learn new things, so do let us know and we'll try to accommodate as best we can. However, we don't guarantee anything other than your first dance or a single special request.

Yes, and we enjoy it. We'll always weigh a request against what the dance floor is doing at that moment, so we may hold one back until the timing is right. If there's a song you really don't want played, whoever asks for it, put it on your do-not-play list and we'll stick to it.

We tend to be smart casual, as in our pictures and videos. However, we can be smarter or more casual depending on your event and requirements.

Yes to both. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our equipment is PAT tested annually. Our manager will send your venue any certification that's required.

Yes. We don't love them, but we absolutely can work within them. Let us know at the booking stage if your venue has one, so there are no surprises on the night.

Volume is at your discretion. Bear in mind that to get a good atmosphere a reasonable level of volume is required, but we don't like it too loud any more than you do. Couples have thanked us for striking a balance where the dance floor was busy but guests could still hold a conversation at the side of the room.

Sounds like fun! Let's do it. As long as we know in advance and he's not under the influence on the night. We've had guest singers and guest musicians join us plenty of times, and it usually becomes one of the moments people remember.

We have a network of fellow musicians that we can call on to stand in on the rare occasion one of the band is ill. On top of that, we're represented by Scotland's most trusted entertainment agency, who have access to dozens of wedding bands in your area even at the very last minute. However, we've never missed a gig yet.

If we're free, yes, and we've done it before at very short notice. One couple's band had to pull out with 24 hours to go and we stepped in. They told us afterwards that we put them at ease straight away and the ceilidh and the set went down brilliantly. If you're in that position, call Gaye or Lisa on 0141 413 4060 and they'll check our diary immediately.

You can get an instant quote by clicking the button at the top right-hand side of our profile page. You'll see your fee appear right there on screen, and you'll also get a follow-up email to confirm the price. If we're available and you're happy with the price, get back in touch with the team at Hireaband to secure the date. It's very much first come, first served, so if we're available, don't hesitate.

No. We don't allow Hireaband to charge more than we would charge you direct. We pay them a commission to do our marketing and admin, provide our videos, audio and photos, provide our insurance and keep our profile up to date. We pay for that, not you. All you'll pay in addition to our fee is a small support fee which never exceeds £50. That provides you with an emergency contact number, industry standard contracts and, if required, payment processing.

As standard, we play between 8pm and midnight with a half hour break. We can play past midnight, but it will incur an additional fee. We are flexible though and will always try to accommodate your requirements. When you book us, you get us for the whole night, so we can't offer a discount for a shorter performance time.

Our standard on-site time runs from 6pm to midnight, but we're happy to be flexible around your schedule. Early arrival and a late finish after midnight are both available as add-ons, and we can look at alternative timings altogether if your day runs differently. Just tell us what you need and we'll do our best to accommodate. Additional fees may apply for extended hours.

We need an hour minimum to set up and check everything is working, but if it needs to be shorter, just let us know and we'll always accommodate as best we can. We'll set up as discreetly as we can while your guests are still in the room.

Yes, we'll take a short break between sets to grab a drink, catch our breath and go to the loo. During the break we'll have background music playing through our own PA system, so there's never a dead moment on the dance floor. Just let us know if you have a particular playlist or Spotify account you'd like us to use. If there's a point in the evening when a break would suit you better, such as during a piper or a speech, tell us and we'll work around it.

Yes, as standard we provide a complimentary playlist DJ service for whenever we're not playing live. These are tried and tested playlists refined over hundreds of events, but you're welcome to send us your own playlist instead. If you'd like something more hands-on, ask us what we can put together.

Yes. On top of our standard package we can offer an additional ceilidh musician to extend the ceilidh set, early arrival, a late finish after midnight and alternative timings. If you have something else in mind for your day, just ask and we'll see what we can do.

Ideally yes to both, but we're used to making do. A small room or space where we can get changed and leave our belongings is really helpful, and parking close to the venue makes load-in and load-out much quicker, especially if we're carrying gear a fair distance. If parking is tricky, just give us a heads up in advance and we'll plan around it.

It depends on timings, but generally some hot food would be hugely appreciated if we're performing at a corporate event. If you're booking us for a wedding, then the option to have something from the buffet is greatly appreciated.

We're a six-piece, so we need a bit more room than a smaller band, but we've played everywhere from castles and country house hotels to barns, museums and city centre venues, and we can fit into most spaces that have hosted a live band before. If your venue has anything a little unusual about it, we can usually find a way to make it work, so just get in touch if you're not sure and we'll be happy to advise.

We love an outdoor gig. We'll just need a covered, dry area for us and our equipment, as electrics and rain don't mix, plus access to a safe power supply. If it's a marquee, flooring or decking under the performance area makes a big difference too. We'll always chat through the setup with you beforehand so there are no surprises on the day.

We regularly perform all over the country, so distance really is no object. We've played from Ayrshire and the Borders up to Inverness and out to Arran and Fort William. The cost of travel is included in most of our quotes, but for really long distances, or events on islands, we may need to make an additional charge and may need bed and breakfast arranged for us.

Yes, regularly. We've played gala dinners at the National Museum of Scotland and the Trades Hall in Glasgow, company Christmas parties, dinner dances and milestone birthdays. We also played the wrap party for the final series of Still Game, which remains a bit of a highlight. We're happy to work around speeches, awards and dinner service, so just send us your running order.

Hireaband will put you in direct touch with us around two months before your date, so we can go through the finer details together, including your song choices, your first dance, the ceilidh and the timings. Couples regularly tell us how easy Jamie is to get hold of during the planning. In the meantime, the team at Hireaband are always on hand to answer any questions, so you're never left waiting.

No problem at all. We know that timings and details aren't always set in stone at the booking stage, and plans have a habit of evolving as your big day gets closer. We're happy to be flexible around changes to your schedule, and if you decide further down the line that you'd like to add any extra services, just get in touch with Gaye or Lisa at Hireaband and they'll sort it out for you.

Totally understandable if this all feels a bit new. Booking a band is a big part of your day, so we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. The Shakers have performed at hundreds of weddings and events, and the team at Hireaband will guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry right through to the big day itself. If you're ever unsure about anything, just ask. That's what we're here for.

As soon as you know your date, really. Popular dates, especially summer weekends, can book up 12 months or more ahead, but we've also pulled off cracking gigs with just a few weeks' notice if we're free. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you'll have.

We ask for a reservation fee to secure your date, refundable within 14 days if you change your mind, with the remaining balance due one month before the event. Your booking confirmation will have exact dates and amounts. If you need to cancel or postpone, get in touch as early as possible. The closer to the date, the harder it is for us to fill the slot, so our cancellation terms reflect that. Full details are in your booking agreement, but Gaye or Lisa at Hireaband are always happy to talk through the specifics.

We don't always have public gigs to invite you to, as weddings tend to be private, but we've got video and audio from real events on our profile page, plus more than 120 reviews from couples who have booked us. We're always happy to jump on a call and talk you through what to expect. We also rehearse regularly and would be happy to invite you along to hear us and have a chat. One couple came to a rehearsal and we played their shortlist of first dance songs live so they could decide which felt right. Speak to Gaye or Lisa on 0141 413 4060 and they'll arrange it.

They have. A member of the Hireaband family, who worked at the agency for seven years and has seen just about every band in Scotland, chose The Shakers for her own wedding in September 2026. When someone who books bands for a living picks one for their own day, that tells you something.