Why are Devil's Fire different from other bands?
Most of the musicians come from both folk and rock backgrounds. Hence their music is exciting, beaty and rocks along. Between dances and at the end of the evening, Devil's Fire can give you good old rock and roll numbers and finish off the night without the need for a disco.
What's so great about a barn dance?
It's something everyone can do.
It's hilarious fun.
It spans all age groups.
It suits all abilities.
We cater for complete novices.
The band plays to a familiar rocky beat. It feels natural to dance to it.
Is it necessary to know the steps and moves of barn dances?
No expertise of barn dancing or hoedown dancing is required or expected.
No previous experience whatsoever is quite the norm for organisers and attendees. We like to guide you every step of the way from your very first enquiry through to the final musical number and dance of the evening.
Notes on planning a barn dance / hoedown
What is a barn dance?
Well, basically, it is a structured dance, a little like the country dancing you used to do at school, - but a lot more fun. The dancers are instructed in the steps by what is known as a Caller. He "walks" the dancers through the steps, before the dance starts, to give everyone a good basic idea. Then when the music starts he calls out each of the moves just before they are due to happen. Don't worry if you make a mistake. It all adds to the fun.
What is the difference between a ceilidh, a hoedown and a barn dance? (in the UK)
Generally speaking, a ceilidh is more of an Irish/Scottish type celtic affair. The word ceilidh means a gathering. The old ceilidhs were basically a party where everyone met for a good sing-song, a few jokes and stories, and maybe a dance. In later years, it has come to mean purely a dance (with maybe a few songs in between dances).
A hoedown is more on an American theme. The dances and format are basically the same as a barn dance with a caller talking everyone through the steps etc, but it gives the dancers more scope for dressing up as cowboys and theming the event along an American theme.
A barn dance is a little like a mixture of a hoedown and a ceilidh. It is an English type ceilidh.
READ MORE ABOUT DIFFERENT DANCE STYLES
What is the usual running order of an event?
The band will expect to arrive in ample time to set up their equipment for the barn dance and do a preliminary sound check to make sure all is well. In most of our experiences, the evening's entertainment has usually been advertised to start at 8.00 p.m. And although the band always endeavour to be organised for the stipulated commencement time, they are often needing to commence slightly later - owing to people still arriving, or speeches carrying on longer than originally anticipated. Start times, of course, are not set in stone - and can be altered to suit the occasion. Barn dance bands are there for fun, and enjoyment, - not education.
Before the evening's entertainment commences, the Caller will contact the organisers to do a final check on the start time, and the timing of any break(s). Unless otherwise agreed beforehand, the band expect to be performing on a couple of separate sets throughout the evening.
During these performance times, your guests will be requiring some rests between the dances.
Devil's Fire entertain with songs between the dance numbers - to ensure that the music continues throughout both the sets. During the interval, between their first time of performance and the next, the band provides background music on their MP3 player. If organisers wish to provide their own, special CD for this break time, this is not a problem. The band can bring along a CD player as well. Please note. It is crucial that the CD is in CD format and not MP3.
If a buffet or hot food is to be served during the night, the interval is usually the best time for the refreshments. This is also often the time organisers announce the results of raffles or league matches and/or make speeches.
All our equipment is PAT tested and the band has Public Liability Insurance. This is becoming obligatory in many venues and all barn dance bands should carry such insurance. READ MORE ABOUT OUR INSURANCE
When the performance commences, the Caller will invite the guests on to the dance floor and will 'walk through' all the barn dance moves before the actual dance begins. Following commencement of the dance, the Caller will continue to call out the moves throughout the dance (so no one needs to have a good memory). And remember, mistakes only add to the fun and jollity!
Towards the end of the evening, Devil's Fire Band like to provide a little bit of rock/pop music to finish off the evening. Having a variation in genre of music, following their hoe down music, is always well appreciated and has very much become a winning formula of the band.
Here is a picture (see right) taken at the "Gem Appeal" charity event 18th June 2011 at Whitworth Civic Hall. Amongst the guests that day was Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Benidorm) who sang a number with the band. He's the one dressed as a Mexican!
As you can see, it was a western themed event (hence Dave wearing a cowboy hat).
Here is the accompanying email:
Hi, Just a quick note to say THANK YOU.
How fantastic was Devil's Fire at our event.!!
Brilliant!
Everyone had such a good time, they are still raving about it now.But how do we top that for next year? We could do with something the same but different if that makes sense.
Thanks again, Wendy - Gem Appeal Trustee
Wild West themed Fundraising Event, Whitworth - 2011
Where do we perform?
We are based near Wigan and Bolton but we travel all over the North West, - commonly in Preston, Bolton, Wigan, Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and more generally, all over Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and parts of the Midlands.
Here are just a few of the many thank you letters and emails received by Devil's Fire.
We are really delighted that the band enjoyed playing at our wedding. We
would also like to say a big thank you to yourself and the band for making
our wedding so enjoyable. It was truly fantastic! We had many guests, both
Russian and English commenting on how great the band was and how much they
enjoyed the ceilidh. Thank you also for being so helpful with sorting out
all the details!
Many thanks! Kindest Regards, Dasha and Alex
WEDDING RECEPTION at Shrigley Hall, Pot Shrigley. September 2011
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Dear Fran
The party went really well thanks to Devils Fire Band.
Please give my appreciation and many thanks to Dave, Daz,Greg, Derek
and Steve who made the atmosphere so enjoyable and fun.
I would reccommend them to anyone. What great men. I hope they enjoyed
themselves too.
Best Wishes.
Sharon
PARTY in Prestwich on 10th September 2011
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We had an amazing day. The band is fantastic and we had a right laugh, they were so patient with us!
We started with a heavy downpour which was good since it got all the kids under the gazebo so they had to join in at the start! Then, the weather got progressively better. We've had lots of great feedback from our friends too. Lots of them said it was the best day of their lives! We'd have all danced more but we were shattered, but we were able to listen to the band in between. It was perfect. We were able to have a good relax and quenched our thirsts later on!
Thanks, once again. Becky and Nigel
Afternoon/early evening Family Reunion Hoe Down & BBQ - in the grounds of a farmhouse outside Warrington - 2011
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Hi Fran, Just a quick email to say how pleased we were with the band and the whole evening seemed to be a great success! I have attached a few photos to give you a flavour of the evening. Please pass on our sincere thanks to the band.
Cheers Julia.
Julia and Philip’s Wedding Reception, Bramhall – 2011
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Hi Fran, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and the band for making it
such a fantastic night.
Even though there were only 44 of us, it felt packed- and everyone
danced- even the ones who swore that they wouldn't!
Everyone had a brilliant time and we will definitely be doing it again!
Thanks again, Fiona PTA Event, Bramhall - 2011
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Just a brief note to say thanks very much for a great dance your band & caller were excellent. We have raised over £1400 for help for heroes & project mobility 4x4.
Many Thanks. We will hopefully do this again soon. Chris
Fundraising hoe down – in a barn within farmhouse grounds at Tabley – 2011
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Hi Fran, everybody said just how much they enjoyed the band. It went so very well, and everybody said that the band were great. I thought the caller did very well with our roudy lot ha ha. Will deffo recommend you to others. You made the night with fantastic music and calling. We appreciated it very very much.
My mum said that she wanted me to say thank you as well. She was very surprised and said that she had the best night in ages.
Big big thank you to all the band and fran. You make a great liaison person.
Best wishes to you all, from Naomi, Yvette and all the party goers !! xxx
Surprise 50th birthday party hoe down, Royton – 2011
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Hi Fran, ‘Happy New Year’ to you and the band.
Thank the band for a sterling evening we had such a great time. Today is my first day back (at work), so everyone is still on a high.
They all think that the band did a wonderful job and they all enjoyed themselves to the full, as the band will no doubt tell you. Once again many thanks for a memorable evening.
Here’s to Next year (sorry this year!). Sandra
Corporate Xmas Party, Peckforton Castle – December 2010
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We would just like to thank you and the band for helping to make our wedding day a very special day indeed. We and our guests, all thoroughly enjoyed both the dancing and the listening to the music, especially the German umbrella dance (see photo below).
Should you need any references in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us, as we would thoroughly recommend you to anyone that asked.
Zac & Poppy's Wedding- Hoole Hall, Chester.
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Re : Wild West themed event 50th Birthday Party for Steve.
A good night was had by all (especially by Steve) and I wouldn't hesitate recommending the band to anyone.
Kind regards, Jackie (Wife of Steve)
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Re : wedding reception at Rosliston Forestry Centre, Staffs.
To: Fran and the Band
Barn dance very well received. Great stuff.
Speak to you soon on return from honeymoon.
Cheers, John (Bridegroom)
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Re: Corporate event for Manchester Co. held at the Inn at Whitewell, Nr Clitheroe
(This event took place on the night of a severe snow storm in December 2009. The villagers were only dug out of a nearby village at the end of January 2010).
Fran,
I have been so ignorant, but what with the holidays and it has also been our year end, I have not said how much we all enjoyed the band playing at our Christmas do.
We all had a fantastic time and are still talking about it. Once again very many thanks for making the evening so enjoyable.
Sandra (Employee of “The Chase” and organiser of event)
Fran replied:
So pleased that the night went so well - at commencement of weather from Hell. :-)
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Re: Email enquiry for a specific date - when Devil’s Fire Band had another booking.
(Below are 2 emails from a lady wishing to book the band for an evening of hoe down in Peover - following Devil’s Fire Band responses to her emails).
Hi Fran
Thank you so much for your prompt reply – very much appreciated. What a terrible shame – I’m afraid our date is set as unfortunately, it’s the only Saturday that Peover have left for the whole summer!
Could I be terribly cheeky and ask if you could recommend other similar bands that are as good as yours?
Look forward to hearing from you and once again, it’s a real shame that we won’t be able to benefit from what sounds like a great group of musicians. Best regards, Lynne
You are wonderful – I’m sorry too that we won’t be able to enjoy your music (and if your music is as good as your customer service then it must be truly excellent!)
Thanks so much. Best regards, Lynne
(Lynne said that she would be delighted for her emails of appreciation to appear on this website).
Reasonably priced, - they always make any wedding receptions or parties a roaring success.
IMPORTANT - ALWAYS ENSURE THE BARN DANCE BAND YOU CHOOSE IS PROPERLY INSURED
AND ALL EQUIPMENT IS PAT TESTED.
DEVIL'S FIRE BARN DANCE BAND IS FULLY COVERED.
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