Barley Cote Band - a Yorkshire Ceilidh Band

Traditional English music from the foothills of the Pennines

The Barley Cote Band is a three piece ceilidh/barn dance band based in West Yorkshire. We are the perfect band for your birthday party, wedding, village social event or party that involves people of any age dancing and having fun.

We are:

Chris Partington fiddle
Anahata melodeon
Mary Humphreys keyboard

Anahata

Chris

Mary

Photo: Sue Coe

The Barley Cote Band was newly formed in 2018, but we all have over 30 years of experience of playing for ceilidhs in other bands for both local events (parties, weddings, anniversaries etc.) and at public ceilidhs and folk festivals all over the country.

Our music is mostly English and chosen through extensive research into traditional English dance tunes. Our tunes and speeds are carefully chosen to fit the dances perfectly and to get you on your feet and dancing!

We usually work with a caller who guides you through the dances, and we'll provide a caller (we have worked with many) or work with a caller of your choice.

A smaller version of the band is also available, consisting of Mary and Anahata playing as a duo. (formerly Four Hand Band.)

The "Barley Cote Big Band" with the addition of John Adams will be playing for the Ryburn 3 Step 2023 New Year's Eve ceilidh and a Lancashire clog dance weekend in February 2024.

“With three such vastly experienced musicians, the music was always going to be good. It is well known in ceilidh circles that dancers don’t register the tunes they are dancing to (unless they are awful.) Well, the Barley Cote Band were so good, I can remember only one set of tunes, Bill Hall’s One and Two which were played for the Holmfirth Square. Their selection of tunes and the pace were perfect and they kept us dancing right to the end at 10:30.”

Steve Jones, Ryburn 3Step