World Bands in the UK

’Banish Misfortune’ is the delightfully evocative title of an attractive 3-part traditional Irish jig melody, and has been adopted by an enthusiastic group of London-based musicians as the ideal name for a good-time Irish traditional band.

The band’s main objective is to live up to their name, and when you witness one of their energetic performances you’ll soon agree that they comfortably achieve their aim. Banish Misfortune deliver strikingly effective versions of all the tried-and-tested Irish favourites and some more besides, and can also cook up an infectious toe-tapping mixture of reels, jigs, polkas and hornpipes for organised ceilidh-dancing.

A celebration of Irish music in song and dance

Find out more about booking Banish Misfortune for your wedding reception.

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The soft-focus, nostalgic evocation of a simpler, slower existence is brought warmly into the spotlight in some of the gentler ballads, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, conjuring up vivid imagery of a bygone age. Then crank up the tempo with an irresistibly toe-tapping rendition of ‘Tell Me Ma’ and you’re back in the room! This balance and sensitivity in their set-list programming allows great variety and versatility in their presentation, making an evening in their company an evening well spent.

The A-Z of all the singalong Irish classics

Solid guitar and bass underpin the rhythm and harmony, with flowing fiddle and pennywhistle as interweaving melody instruments. Top it all off with heartfelt vocals, and you have the Banish Misfortune sound. The band can boast a wide repertoire of both traditional and modern Irish songs and tunes, with classics such as ‘Wild Rover’ and ‘Black Velvet Band’ alternating with ‘Fields Of Athenry’ or ‘Fairytale Of New York’ in a typical set-list. Skilful musicianship and thoughtful programming combine to create a performance that everyone can enjoy.

A session or two of ceilidh will get everyone up on the dancefloor

Banish Misfortune can include a seasoned dance-caller in their line-up to organise a riproaring session of ceilidh for everyone to join in with. No matter that you’ve never tried it before – today’s complete beginners will be tomorrow’s specialist experts, and anyway it all adds to the fun if people occasionally get their feet in a tangle! There really is no better all-inclusive entertainment at a wedding reception party than a ceilidh; it’s a brilliant social icebreaker, and the whole point is to involve everybody and have a lot of fun.

Whether you’re after a rumbustious Guinness-fuelled evening of Irish songs and tunes delivered with a touch of the Blarney, or an energetic whirl around the room ‘Stripping The Willow’ in authentic ceilidh style, then Banish Misfortune are the band for you. Selecting their extensive repertoire from the cream of the Irish and British traditions, these talented musicians present a charming, life-affirming and infectious programme of songs and tunes in order to do exactly what it says on the tin – Banish Misfortune.