Ceilidh On: The Story Behind KJ Ceilidhs
Before founding KJ Ceilidhs, Kathryn Johnstone was involved in two other ceilidh bands that helped shape her musical path: Head in the Sand Ceilidh Band and The Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band.
About Kathryn Johnstone
"When you book with KJ Folk Music & KJ Ceilidhs, you’re booking my years of performance and event experience, not an anonymous agency line-up. I oversee every booking from first contact to final dance so your music, atmosphere and timing are all expertly managed."
Over 15 Years Experience
When you book KJ Folk Music or KJ Ceilidhs, you’re booking me - my experience, my standards, and my name behind your event.
With over 15 years of live performance experience, I’m a multi-instrumentalist specialising in Highland bagpipes and diatonic accordion (melodeon). Whether I’m leading a packed dancefloor or piping someone down the aisle, I bring energy, warmth and a presence that people remember.
KJ Folk Music may be a newer name, but we are built on years of professional performance experience and one clear idea: bookings should feel personal, transparent and genuinely high quality.
Too often, clients are stuck choosing between a small local ceilidh band & solo musicians - where professionalism can vary - and large agencies where it’s unclear who will actually arrive on the day. Some ceilidh band agencies market themselves as the performers, only for completely different musicians to turn up on the day.
I wanted to bridge this gap in the market.
We do things differently.
I don’t promise fixed line-ups for the sake of appearances. I guarantee quality. Every booking is personally overseen by me, and every musician performing under the KJ name is hand-selected and approved. I only work with top-tier players I trust completely, and I confidently put my name behind every performance you receive.
KJ Ceilidhs is built around a close-knit team who know each other musically and personally - not a random pool of deps. We are like a family, just spread across the UK. That means we can deliver the same high-energy, premium ceilidh experience nationwide without compromising on chemistry, professionalism or drive.
When everything is organised properly from the start, the energy on the night is always bold, exciting and extremely fun.
That’s what we deliver.
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KJ's Blog
Learn more about KJ Folk Music, KJ Ceilidhs, Barn Dances, and the things that inspire Kathryn.
The Box That Built the Band: An Evening at Ely Folk Festival
Back in July 2024, before KJ Ceilidhs had truly found its feet, I was just trying to find the right sound—and the right instrument to carry it. I didn’t have much money, and everything felt uncertain. But what happened at Ely Folk Festival changed everything.
Why Our Ceilidhs Sound So Powerful – The Innovation Behind the Music
At KJ Ceilidhs, we’re not just another folk band—we’re innovators. Our founder, Kathryn Johnstone, holds a degree in Business Management and Innovation, and that ethos runs through everything we do.
What Actually Happens At a Ceilidh (And Why Everyone Loves It)
When you hear the word "ceilidh" (pronounced kay-lee), you might picture traditional Scottish or Irish dancing—but there’s so much more to it. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate party, or birthday bash, a ceilidh is the perfect way to get guests of all ages on the dancefloor.
My Favourite Gigs
- The Birmingham Military Tattoo – Performing to 15,000 people as Pipe Major of the massed pipes and drums, leading 100 pipers and drummers, is something I'll never forget. On a stage that size, every movement matters, every cue has to be right, and I absolutely loved the precision, responsibility and focus that this performance demanded.
- Our first KJ Ceilidhs wedding at Gunnersbury Park Museum – This one will always have a special place in my heart. It wasn't the biggest audience I'd ever performed for, but it marked the beginning of KJ Ceilidhs. Watching a room full of wedding guests dance a Strip The Willow in such a beautiful historic venue, was incredibly memorable, knowing this was the start of something big.
- Burns Night at The House KOKO and a wedding in Malaga, Spain – It's impossible to choose between these two. Burns Night at The House KOKO combined phenomenal food with an amazing atmosphere, whilst travelling to Malaga to perform at a wedding was an incredible experience. Being able to take Scottish folk music abroad and see people from different backgrounds enjoying it together is something I'll always love.
Performing is never about size or prestige for me. It’s the moment when a room lights up and the moment when people stop holding back and come up onto the dancefloor! That’s the bit I care about.
How I run KJ Folk Music
I hold a BA (Hons) degree in Business Management & Innovation, and it fundamentally shapes how I run KJ Folk Music. I don’t just perform - I design structured, seamless experiences with clear communication, strategic planning and professional delivery from first enquiry to final note.
That’s why we’re a leading choice for corporate clients and weddings, where precision and detail matter. And when the planning is watertight, we’re free to do what we do best - deliver high-energy, exciting performances because everything behind the scenes is already sorted.
My Solo Album
"An Enigma" is a fully written indie-folk theatrical concept album for voice and box alone - original songs woven together with powerful tunes, with snippets of trad, tracing silence, survival and the long shadow of abuse.
Forged from my own experience, it moves from disappearance to defiance, from dissociation to reclaiming of my own voice by blending evocative song writing with tune sets, creating a compelling live performance.
The album is complete and ready for professional recording, and I will soon launch a Kickstarter to fund the studio production, photography and album design to bring this healing, powerful, immersive work fully into the world.