People

Carefully selected
band members

If you are organising a wedding, party or corporate function, then contact Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band for traditional music. We perform anywhere in Greater London or the South East.

Contact

A highly entertaining musical band

Wraggle Taggle have built a reputation as a highly entertaining, professional and talented ceilidh band performing at parties, festivals, pubs, clubs, concerts and functions in London or the South East. Wraggle Taggle play traditional Irish, Scottish, English and American songs and tunes with innovation, flair and vitality.

Giglist

Wraggle Taggle band Members

Wraggle Taggle was founded in 1996 by bandleader Mick Bailey (Guitar/vocals) and grew out of the vibrant North London Traditional Music scene. Mick carefully selected the band members for outstanding ability on their individual instruments and as a bunch of good friends.

The Band are flexible enough as regards personnel, instrumentation and musical style to be able to tailor a band to each client's specific requirements. The band go out as anything from a duo to a six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller.

All-Ireland champion musicians Carlene Anglim (fiddle), Caroline Regan (concertina / whistle/ vocals), and Mick O'Connor (tenor banjo) are joined by Mick Bailey (guitar/vocals) to form the "core" of the band. Other instruments such as, flute, or percussion may also be added. Speciality instruments such as Irish or Scottish bagpipes or traditional dancers are also available.

Contact Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band to discuss possible line-ups for our performance at your event in Greater London.

Wraggle Taggle's most common format for a ceilidh consists of four musicians plus a caller who will teach the dances from scratch - no experience needed! A ceilidh is something really different and ideal for a successful party, as it is a fun way to get families, friends and colleagues to mix and meet and because all age groups become involved. The faster dances are an energetic work out, and the band also play in a more relaxed romantic mood.

Carlene Anglim (Fiddle)

Carlene Anglim (Fiddle) Experienced Performer & Nurturing Tutor: BA (Hons) Psychology. BBC2 Young Traditional Musician of the Year (1994 -5). All-Ireland Fiddle Champion (1992). Havering Young Musican of the Year (1991) Carlene learnt both Classical and Irish Traditional Music from age 6 and went on to win Traditional Irish music 'Fleadh Ceol' competitions. She gained classical grades up to grade 8, studied violin at Guildhall School of Music and became professional at age 17. Since then Carlene has crossed many genres, played on many albums as a session musician and toured extensively. She plays Irish, folk, classical and Jazz music, and is a exceptionally talented lead soloist and improvisor on violin. The tradition was passed down to Carlene from her mother, Goretti Anglim who plays Irish Traditional flute with Wraggle Taggle and from Goretti’s father who played fiddle and back through the generations of musicians. Carlene played at Kensington Palace next door to where Princess Diana used to live and also performed to Price Charles at a street party in London. She has toured extensively with Martin Furey of The High Kings. Carlene also teaches fiddle / violin using Suzuki Method, and the ABRSM classical curriculum as well as Jazz, and Traditional Music from Brittany, Scotland, Hungary, Italy and Eastern Europe.

Caroline Regan (Concertina / whistles / vocals)

Caroline Regan is a professional, experienced singer and musician who has played with Wraggle Taggle since January 2006 and is available to book for private and public events across London and the surrounding areas.

She has a vast repertoire which includes songs from the Irish and folk tradition, religious hymns, country, pop and contemporary ballads. As an instrumentalist she also plays Irish traditional music on the concertina and tin-whistle.

Caroline has a wealth of experience and has performed across the world at venues in the UK, Ireland, America, Qatar, Switzerland and Germany.

She holds a Masters Degree in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick and a Diploma in Contemporary Vocal Performance from the ICMP in London.

Song for Ireland

Kathy Walton (Flute)

Kathy Walton (Flute) is aa exceptionally talented traditional flute payer and a lead tutor at Meitheal Cheoil, a community group, which aims to promote the learning of Irish Traditional Music for children and adults in North London. Classes are held weekly in the London Irish Centre (Camden) and St Gabriel's Community Centre (Holloway), providing affordable lessons on the tin whistle, flute, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, uilleann pipes, concertina, accordion and harp. All ages and abilities are catered for, ranging from those who have never played music before to those who wish to expand their repertoire in an informal group setting. The group is lead by Kathy and colleague Karen Ryan (Fiddle) who have been teaching in London for more than 25 years.

In London we are privileged to be part of a vibrant music community, historically renowned for playing host to and producing some of the finest players the world has known. London is distinctive, diverse and yet close-knit. Over the past few years, dozens of London musicians and mentors have supported Meitheal Cheoil, whether dropping in as guests to pass on a tune, helping out as teachers, assisting with competitions or in the Irish language, putting source material on tape, teaching a dance or two and joining in at the ceili, coming in to mingle, chat and answer questions, or just simply welcoming our students into sessions, making them feel valued as musicians at a most formative stage. Kathy has been a regular member of Wraggle Taggle since 2022.

Mick Bailey (Guitar/ vocals)

Mick Bailey : Guitar, Vocals is the founder and lynch-pin of Wraggle Taggle which he founded in 1998 following many successful years organizing gigs in and around his home in North London. He carefully selected the band members for outstanding talent on their individual instruments and as a bunch of good friends.

Born in Yorkshire in 1954, Mick trained as a classical pianist and taught himself the guitar. He was always interested in folk music and helped run Knebworth Folk Club in Hertfordshire when he was just a teenager. He was turned on to traditional Irish music during the seventies "revival" by groundbreaking bands such as Planxty, The Bothy Band, and The Chieftains. After studying music at Goldsmith's college, London and developing as a jazz pianist, Mick has worked in a variety of musical areas, composing and arranging for theatre as well as jazz, rock and folk groups. Previous projects include "The Tollpuddle Players", "Take Two", "Yellow Bell"and "Northern Celts". Having explored an extensive range of musical genres Mick always returned to his first love: traditional music, and has built a successful career leading Wraggle Taggle

Mick Bailey (Guitar / vocals & bandleader) Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band

Mick O'Connor (Tenor Banjo) Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band

Mick O'Connor (Tenor Banjo / Mandolin)

Mick O'Connor: Tenor Banjo, Mandolin inherited a love of Irish music from his parents who came from County Kerry & Roscommon in Ireland. "The Dubliners" banjo player, Barry McKenna, inspired Mick to learn the Banjo in 1967. He learned tunes from the great London Irish musicians, including John Bowe, Bobby Casey, Tommy McCarthy, and Roger Sherlock, and is particularly influenced by Clare, Galway and Kerry styles of playing.

Mick won the all-Ireland tenor banjo championship in 1971 and two all-Ireland ceili band medals in 1986 and 1987 as a member of "Thatch Ceili Band". He toured the USA & Ireland in 1975 and the UK in 1976 with Jo Burke, Paddy Glakin on a tour organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann the Irish Traditional Music Association. Mick has played in countless concerts and ceili's over the years, and toured in the U.S.A, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ireland and elsewhere. He has recorded with some of the greats of Irish music including Tommy Makem, Kevin Burke, Brendon Shine, Donal Lunny and Noel Murphy. In 1992 Mick backed Elvis Costello on stage and he performed with Ronnie Drew of "The Dubliners" in 1998.

Mick was invited to meet Irish President Mary McAleese at a special reception for traditional Irish musicians at her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Phoenix Park, Dublin April 2004. He received a Bardic Award at the All Ireland Fleadh in Derry Aug 2013 given by Comhaltas in recognition of Mick's exceptional contribution to the promotion of Ireland's cultural traditions.

Mick was one of four Jig Of Life Award winners at a special concert hosted by NYAH Comhaltas Cavan Irish Music in Cavan Town Library 8th March 2019. Mick joined Wraggle Taggle in 1997.

Mick teaches banjo and mandolin in London and would welcome enquiries from prospective pupils. Tel: 020 8450 2750 e-mail: mickbanjooconnor@hotmail.com

Mary Panton (Caller)

Mary Panton: Caller is a rare combination of expert country dance caller and crowd psychologist. Her knowledge of dance steps from the UK and beyond is based on decades of professional involvement and a true passion for her art. Her outgoing and friendly personality puts everyone immediately at their ease. She caters for all ages and levels of experience, and is sensitive to the fitness levels of the dancers she is working with. Mary is an extremely personable performer with an encyclopedic knowledge of dance steps, which she is able to communicate simply yet effectively to all participants.

Mary's fans say...

"Our guests loved you, and the dancing was great fun thanks to your excellent caller who was perfect I thought – teaching the steps without being to 'bossy' or making people feel singled out" Kate

"Thank you very much for your wonderful expert, encouraging and enticing calling. Everyone absolutely loved the band , the dancing and especially your calling. All of Chislehurst is talking about the day and telling all their friends what a wonderful time they had. You really helped to make the day a tremendous, happy success" Donna

"Just wanted to say thank you so much for playing at Rebecca's party on Friday. You were a huge success and everyone is raving about how much they enjoyed the ceilidh. Please thank all the band and of course the caller, who were all just perfect. I shall be letting everyone know just what a wonderful group of people you are. With very best wishes" Julie

"Thanks for calling brilliantly on Saturday. I think they danced well thanks to you, and everyone seemed to appreciate the evening. And they fireworks finished things off nicely - eventually" Stewart

Mary joined Wraggle Taggle in 2012.

Musical friends and influences

An equally talented musician will be provided if any of our band members are not available. We are influenced by various artists and bands such as The Chieftains, The Pogues, Van Morrison and The Dubliners and Christy Moore to name a few. We have met many talented musical friends who can join our band for special performances, when required.

Call us on
020 7267 7737
or
07906 470991
for specific queries about the band.