Chameleons

Chameleons is an experienced barn dance / English ceilidh band based in the Oxford area.

What's an "English Ceilidh"? - check out the description on the Webfeet website.

Chameleons has a flexible line-up, drawn from the membership of top Festival dance band Geckoes, plus other local musicians.

The five-piece Geckoes line-up (plus caller and sound engineer) is often too much for smaller local events where space for the band, time to set up, and perhaps money, are at a premium. Chameleons evolved to fill this gap. Typically with just three musicians plus caller, and a small, quickly assembled PA system, Chameleons is the perfect choice for Weddings, PTAs, Scouts, Guides, Tennis Clubs, Birthday parties etc. etc.

Chameleons is designed to be a flexible band, and the personnel varies from gig to gig. However the instrumentalists who play with Chameleons are all experienced dance band musicians, and share a common repertoire, and a common approach to playing for dancing.

The line-up is drawn from members of Geckoes:

Andy Cheyne - fiddle, guitar, mandolin
Andy Turner - anglo-concertina
Caroline Butler - fiddle, caller
Heather Horsley - keyboard

plus

Jonathan Leach - fiddle, mandolin, melodeon
Dave Townsend (Mellstock Band) - accordion

Other musicians who have played with Chameleons include

Joe Turner, Mat Green (Woodpecker Band, Magpie Lane), Paul Burgess (Old Swan Band), Nina Hansell (Polkaworks, Oxford NAGS) - fiddle
Sandy Shallis (Oxford NAGS) - melodeon
Gareth Kiddier (Polkaworks, Oxford NAGS), Dick Wolff - piano

Regular callers include Caroline Butler, Alan Simpson, Jane Bird and Pete North.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Not organised a ceilidh or barn dance before? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

If your booking requires a smaller, more flexible band than the full Geckoes line-up - but still eminently danceable - Chameleons could be just what you're looking for.

Testimonials

"I just wanted to get in touch to thank the band for playing at my wedding last Saturday. We had lots of comments from our guests as to how much they enjoyed the ceilidh - everybody had a really good time and we enjoyed learning some dances we hadn't come across before. We particularly liked the train one (can't remember the name!). We thought the band we really professional and would definitely recommend them to others".

"A big thank you to you and your whole group for a fantastic barn dance last night. It was great fun and everyone had such a fantastic time! Before the party, all our friends were quite sceptical (and even a bit nervous) about this idea. But it was a huge success. Some family and friends who warned us in advance that they would not be dancing were right out there joining in like pros (well, almost like pros!!) Your music and calling really helped make our wedding anniversary celebrations most memorable."

"You played at our wedding last April, and were absolutely fantastic."

"Thanks for contributing to a really enjoyable evening. The band & calling was first class & fully engaged with all our guests. We will certainly recommend you to all who ask."

"I just wanted to send a quick email to say thank you for playing for my party on Friday! My friends and family and I had the most wonderful evening and we enormously enjoyed your playing. Thanks also to Caroline for being a wonderfully patient and fun caller for a group of slightly rowdy students! You got us really involved and it allowed lots of different groups of my friends to get to know each other which was a lovely thing to see. You are such a great band and you make a brilliant traditional sound - the real McCoys!"