Innovation: Behind the Scenes
Planning your live music should be exciting — but with so many options, it’s hard to know who’s truly offering the best. We value transparency and we do not class ourselves as an agency, despite working with many top folk musicians across the whole UK: Here's why...
A Personal Touch
At KJ Folk Music, every booking is personal. While some agencies operate like middlemen, sending out musicians who may never have met before, or failing to pass down key information to performers on the night, we only work with trusted teams who know each other inside out and perform together regularly. This ensures a seamless, high-energy night every single time.
A Combined Approach
We combine the consistency, reliability, and convenience you’d expect from a national agency with the personal touch, flexibility, and local quality you’d hope for from a local band - but with a level of professionalism many local bands simply cannot offer.
Fair Pay for Top Musicians
When searching for folk bands or ceilidh bands online, most of the top Google Ads results are agency listings (although, not all of them make this clear). In fact, many of our fantastic musicians, including Kathryn herself, work across multiple agencies, simply because they need regular work. KJ Folk Music pays our musicians and ceilidh callers properly, values our teams, and ensures everyone arrives motivated and ready to give their best.
For you, booking through KJ Folk Music means that you get the same outstanding talent - but with real personal care, connection that can't be faked, direct communication, and an experience that is completely tailored around you, not agency systems.
Our Google Ads
Unlike many others, KJ Folk Music only advertises in areas where award-winning local teams are genuinely available. This ensures that the performers at your event aren’t just available — they are local and truly the best for your area.
Kathryn Johnstone: Owner of KJ Folk Music
Kathryn herself is involved in every single event right from the very beginning — from your first message to the last dance of the night. Whether she's playing the highland bagpipes for your ceremony, the diatonic accordion for your ceilidh, or supporting acoustic music sets with saxophone, double bass, cajon, or whistle as needed, you can be confident you're getting the very best in live music and party experience.
Kathryn always works with a trusted circle of musicians she knows personally, selecting players she has performed with many times, that live the most locally to your event. This ensures that every KJ Ceilidhs event is filled with energy, skill, and a genuine sense of connection.
Our Handpicked Teams
When Kathryn is already booked, we can still deliver your ceilidh with a "Handpicked Team". These are musicians and callers she knows, trusts, and has worked with many times. It’s a little more like an agency setup for our Handpicked Ceilidhs, but Kathryn personally coordinates everything to make sure you get the same great quality, energy, and care.
You’ll choose whether your ceilidh is led by Kathryn or a Handpicked Team before you book - giving you complete transparency and peace of mind, with no surprises on the night.
A lot of agency ceilidh bands are not open about the fact they are an agency. Kathryn has, unfortunately, seen clients disappointed when a different band has turned up to the one advertised, when she's worked for agency bands. Our transparent approach means you’ll always know which type of ceilidh you’re booking, while trusting Kathryn to select top-rated, local musicians she knows personally - keeping quality high and work local.
Overview
With a strong focus on professionalism, health and safety, and limited bookings to maintain quality, KJ Folk Music offers complete peace of mind alongside unforgettable music & experiences.
Contact Us Today
Let’s Make Your Event Unforgettable
Get in touch today to check availability, discuss ideas, or build the perfect music package for your day.