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."
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.
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 long after the last note.
KJ Ceilidhs & KJ Folk Music may be newer names, but they’re 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 small local bands - where professionalism can vary - and large agencies where it’s unclear who will actually arrive on the day. Sometimes agencies market themselves as the performers, only for completely different musicians to turn up.
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 can be bold, exciting and effortless.
That’s what we deliver.
My favourite past gigs
- The Birmingham Military Tattoo - 15,000 people, standing in the Pipe Major position of the massed pipes and drums, leading 100 pipers and drummers. On a stage that size, everything counts, and I loved what it demanded.
- Our first KJ Ceilidhs wedding at Gunnersbury Park Museum. It felt so special in a completely different way - a huge historic building, real emotion in the room, mixed with the start of something new and brilliant.
- Burns Night at The House KOKO - the most incredible food! And the wedding in Malaga, Spain? The most amazing experience overall.
But if I’m honest, it’s not about size or prestige. It’s that split second when a room lights up into something alive - when people stop holding back and come up onto the dancefloor, ready to have a ceilidh! 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.