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Black Sheep

 

Cask Conditioned Celtic rock

 

Black Sheep are Dorset's most popular Barn Dance Band / Ceilidh Band.

They have been performing in Dorset and beyond for more than 40 years.

Specialising in Barn Dances and Ceilidhs for: Weddings, Birthdays and Celebrations of all kinds.

They also perform their unique brand of Cask Conditioned Celtic Rock at Festivals, Pubs and Community Events around Dorset and beyond; often as the UK’s premier “Celtic Rock Quartet” DARK SHEEP - featuring the twin fiddles of Titch and Ashley Reed.

So if you're planning a Wedding Ceilidh or a Beer Festival, or a unique combination of both, they should be top of your list.

Help and advice on promoting and running a successful event is also on hand.

 

Fiddle / Titch
Melodeon & Concertina / Bilbo
Bass / Johno
Drums / Plim

Dance Caller / Big Al

 

 

New for 2025

Black Sheep - with twin Fiddle Ferocity

Dear Black Sheep,
Thank you for being at all our important celebrations and bringing the joy of dancing and laughter.

— Ro & Mike xXx (Clients and friends since 1986)
Bianca here (you and the guys put on a ceilidh for my husband’s and my wedding in April this year)

We have been talking about you guys quite a bit recently as we have recently attended a wedding where they had a ceilidh band too.... And while they were nice, they honestly were not a patch on you guys! At this recent wedding we did have fun, and we did dance a lot, but we are SO grateful that we had you guys as our band! You were brilliant and we still get people commenting what an amazing group you all are!

Just wanted to say thank you again for making our day so much fun and for performing such fantastic music, and putting so much energy in to the room! We hope you are all well 🙂

— Bianca and Matt
Your band recently performed at our leaving party ... I just wanted to thank you directly for how fantastic you guys were!

It was above and beyond my expectations! You were so interactive; got everyone up and dancing! The dance routines were brilliant and EVERYONE loved it!
The band members were so friendly and upbeat, it made the world of difference! And most of all, you did not stop!!! Haha pretty much non-stop music all night until the very end! - you never gets bands like that!

So thank you again! I had the best evening and so much wonderful feedback about the band. I would definitely use you again and will definitely recommend you!
— Kelly & Tom
A massive thank you to all of you for last night, it was fantastic and as always everyone loved you guys..you were awesome!

Thought you might like to know we raised £1200 for Macmillan..so it was an awesome result!

Once again thank you for everything,

I’ll be in touch if I organise another barn dance :)
— Tash
I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of myself & all my guests, to you all, for the fantastic music and entertainment last Saturday.
Everyone had so much fun and I’ve received so many happy messages for such an enjoyable evening.

Thank you for helping make my ‘50th’ celebrations so memorable and special.
I will always recommend Black Sheep with high praise. I’ll look forward to the next barn dance!!

Many thanks again...
— Julia
We just wanted to thank you for a brilliant ceilidh for our wedding... We had a fantastic time, and were really pleased with the wonderful music and brilliant calling. The caller was clear and had a brilliant sense of humour to keep everyone on track and enjoying the dancing. The dances were pitched just right, and the last dance was a brilliant surprise and a wonderful way to send us off from our big day.
— Jo & Tom
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Public events

 

2026

Saturday 7th February - Swanage Folk Festival AGM - 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Saturday 28st February - Barn Dance - Cranborne Village Hall - 7.00pm - 10.30pm CLICK POSTER

Saturday 14th March - St Patricks Barn Dance - Yachtsman, Hamworthy - 8.30pm - 10.30pm

Saturday 21st March - Barn Dance - Scott Arms, Kingston - 8.00pm - 11.00pm

Friday 3rd April - Barn Dance - Blandford Corn Exchange - 7.00pm - 10.00pm CLICK INFO

Monday 25th May - Barn Dance - Holme Bush Inn, Corfe Mullen - 1.00pm - 4.00pm CLICK INFO

Monday 25th May - Barn Dance - Harman’s Cross Village Hall - 7.30pm - 10.30pm CLICK INFO

Saturday 14th June - Music - Dark Sheep - Tap House Wimborne (Festival) - 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 25th June- Barn Dance - Chalke Fest, Broad Chalke - 7.00pm - 10.00pm

Tuesday 28th July - Barn Dance + Dorset Gene Pool - Swanage Carnival - Sandpit Field - 7.00pm - 11.00pm

Saturday 1st August - Barn Dance - Hale Village Hall - 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Sunday 13th August- Swanage Folk Festival, Main Stage - 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Sunday 27th December - Music - Square & Compass - Worth Matravers - Sometime eve - Anytime pm/am