Why Choose KJ Music?
Innovatation Meets Tradition: Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver the best ceilidhs and barn dances, with exceptional musicianship and the powerful sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes. We create an atmosphere of fun, laughter, and full client satisfaction. Our approach is personal and professional, blending traditional music with innovation and offering a bespoke, tailored service..
Expert Musicians: Led by Kathryn Johnstone, one of the UK’s top-ranked folk musicians, we guarantee a world-class ceilidh performance.
Tailored to You: Every ceilidh & barn dance package is fully customisable to suit your event’s every single need. From intimate gatherings to large celebrations, we’ve got you covered.
High-quality & Professional Service: We pride ourselves on being professional, reliable, and providing the highest-quality music, sound, and lighting. We will work with you to make sure every aspect of your event is perfect!
About Kathryn Johnstone (KJ)
Kathryn Johnstone, founder of KJ Ceilidhs, holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Innovation, bringing a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the world of traditional music. With over 10 years of ceilidh performance experience through agency work and other top bands, she knows what works—and more importantly, what can be improved.
Her mission? To push boundaries within traditional ceilidh music by delivering bespoke, premium packages, combining immersive experiences, cutting-edge sound, and top-tier musicianship. It’s ceilidh music reimagined—from the first impression to the final encore.
Kathryn is a dynamic and creative musician with a deep-rooted passion for folk music. Based in Peterborough, and regularly performing across Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, and beyond, she is known for her vibrant stage presence and the unmistakable sound of the diatonic accordion and Great Highland bagpipes. As The Fenland Piper, she has even appeared on BBC News and Radio, showcasing her unique musical flair.
A strong advocate for community engagement, Kathryn also offers private bagpipe lessons, inspiring the next generation of musicians. She’s always exploring new ways to connect with people through music, ensuring each performance is not just a service—but a personal, memorable experience.
So if you're looking for a ceilidh or barn dance band with energy, quality, and a spark of innovation, get in touch today for your free consultation. Let’s make something truly special together.
Bespoke: Ceilidhs Tailored to You
Whether you’re planning a wedding, a corporate event, or a lively gathering, we bring a vibrant touch of authentic folk music that will have everyone dancing, laughing, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Let us turn your celebration into something extraordinary!
Did You Know?
We offer 1-2-1, no-obligation consultations to help you book your perfect ceilidh band or barn dance experience. Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, or a big celebration, we'll work closely with you to create an unforgettable event, tailored just for you.
The Only Ceilidh Band to be Accredited By The WVSA Wedding Venues & Supplies Association
What our customers say:
"Great band. We had a superb evening all due to them. Thank you so much"
Rated ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
"The band were brilliant and Kathryn was amazing on the bagpipes. We will definitely use this band again and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to have a good time "
Rated ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
"They were absolutely fab and everyone loved the ceilidh. It added a really special element to our wedding. Kathryn was also great at communicating with us and I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a ceilidh group."
Rated ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
KJ Ceilidhs – Your Local Ceilidh Band in Cambridgeshire (and Beyond)
Looking for a ceilidh band in Cambridgeshire or find yourself searching for a "ceilidh band near me"? You’ve found the right place.
At KJ Ceilidhs, we specialise in energetic, high-quality ceilidhs and barn dances for weddings, parties, corporate events and festivals across Cambridgeshire, including Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough, Huntingdon, St Ives, and the surrounding villages. We’re based locally, so we know the venues, the communities, and what makes a ceilidh truly unforgettable here.
But here’s what makes us different: whilst Kathryn is rooted in Cambridgeshire, our team is made up of some of the most highly regarded folk musicians in the UK. We’re not a faceless agency—we’re a small, trusted, professional team, and we only work with musicians we know personally. Many of us have played together for years. We’re more than colleagues—we’re like family.
Because of this, we’re able to offer a genuinely local, personal service in multiple regions across the UK—from Norfolk and Suffolk to London, Sheffield, the Midlands and beyond. Wherever your event is, we can provide a top-quality ceilidh band that feels local—because we really are local, everywhere we go.
Founder Kathryn Johnstone holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Innovation and has over a decade of ceilidh experience through top UK bands and agencies. Now, she’s combining that expertise with a drive for innovation—bringing a fresh approach to traditional ceilidhs by offering bespoke, premium packages tailored to you.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday, festival or corporate celebration, KJ Ceilidhs brings you the best of both worlds: local knowledge and national excellence, tradition and innovation, all delivered with warmth, professionalism, and personal care.
Areas we serve:
Cambridgeshire: Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambridge, Ely, St Ives, St Neots, Huntingdon, Wisbech, March, Chatteris, Ramsey, Soham
Norfolk: Norwich, King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Thetford, Swaffham, Dereham, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Cromer
Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Haverhill, Sudbury, Lowestoft, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Beccles
Lincolnshire: Spalding, Boston, Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Skegness, Louth, Holbeach, Long Sutton
Bedfordshire: Bedford, Biggleswade, Luton
Leicestershire: Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough
Nottinghamshire: Nottingham, Newark-on-Trent, Mansfield, Worksop
Northamptonshire: Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Daventry
Essex: Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow
Hertfordshire: Hitchin, Stevenage, Royston, Letchworth Garden City, St Albans
Buckinghamshire: Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Aylesbury
Warwickshire: Coventry, Rugby, Leamington Spa
West Midlands: Birmingham, Solihull
London (North and Central): Enfield, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Barnet, Haringey, Westminster, Hampstead, Finchley
South Yorkshire: Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster
Staffordshire: Leek, Burton upon Trent, Lichfield
Berkshire: Reading, Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead
Ceilidhs
Our Services – Ceilidh & Bagpipe Music Across Cambridgeshire and the UK
KJ Ceilidhs: The Band for Every Occasion
Looking for a ceilidh band near you? Whether you're planning a wedding ceilidh, a corporate event, or a festival, we offer a variety of ceilidh band packages to suit every style and budget. Our Cambridge-based ceilidh band is led by Kathryn Johnstone on diatonic accordion, with optional highland bagpipes and professional callers. Choose from these flexible line-ups:
- Solo + Caller
- Trad Duet + Caller
- Trad Trio + Caller
- Extended Line-Up + Caller
Each ceilidh band package includes professional sound systems, LED lighting, and optional highland bagpipes.
Book Your Ceilidh Band Today
Ready to book a ceilidh band near you? We’re available to travel across Cambridgeshire, as well as to nearby areas like Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, and beyond, to make your event a success. Simply fill out our booking form, and we’ll get back to you with all the information you need, including our competitive pricing.
- Nationwide Availability: We travel all over the UK & internationally to bring the best ceilidh music & experience to your event.
- Customised Packages: Tailored to your specific event needs, ensuring everything is perfect.
- Guaranteed Fun: Our ceilidhs will have your guests up and dancing all night!
Services
KJ Ceilidhs offers an unforgettable, high-energy ceilidh experience, blending traditional music with innovative lighting and sound to create a lively atmosphere for any event. Led by Kathryn Johnstone, our band delivers top-quality performances tailored to your unique celebration.
The Fenland Piper
The Fenland Piper brings the powerful and majestic sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes to any occasion, adding a unique and memorable touch to weddings, corporate events, and celebrations. Led by Kathryn Johnstone, our bagpipe performances are tailored to your event, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.
Care Homes
The Armchair Experiences by KJ Ceilidhs offer care homes a unique opportunity to enjoy live music and traditional ceilidh tunes from the comfort of their armchairs. With engaging performances designed to bring joy and connection, we provide an inclusive and accessible musical experience for residents of all abilities.
A huge thank you to our friends for allowing me to use your fabulous photos on my website:
Sue Gwynne at LuminArt Photography
Lesley Downham