The Occasionals are widely regarded as one of the foremost Scottish ceilidh dance bands, and have been playing for dancing the length and breadth of Europe since 1986. Accordionist Freeland Barbour initially joined forces with fellow ex-Wallochmor Ceilidh Band drummer Gus Millar, to “occasionally” play for dances at festivals, and when Freeland invited banjo/mandolin player Kevin Macleod to join that year, the basis of the current band line up was secured.
However, since then, many fine musicians such as fiddlers Mairi Campbell, Jim Barrie, Angie Smith, Charlie Soane, Iain Fraser, Rebecca Hunter, pianists Neil MacMillan and Gill Simpson, guitarist Brian Millar, Runrig guitarist Malcolm Jones, and drummer Ally MacIntyre have “occasionally” performed with the band.
The current line up comprises Freeland on accordion and midi bass, Gus on drums, Kevin on electric tenor banjo, fiddler Ian Hardie, and dance caller Sheila McCutcheon.
Over the past 16 years, the band have performed at many large and prestigious events, including the Cambridge Folk Festival, Glasgow’s Mayfest and Celtic Connections, BBC TVs “Talla Bhaille”, Tonder Festival Denmark, Jakarta Highland Society, Orkney Folk Festival, Feis Tiree, Deutsche Bank Conferences, RSNO Viennese Balls, Aberdeen’s Millennium celebrations, The Mod, Shetland Accordion Festival, even an International Conference on Prosthetics, and a thousand other public and private functions all over Scotland.
Their 3 popular cd recordings, “Footnotes”, “Back In Step” and “Live From Aberdeen”, have been augmented by BBC Radio Scotland “Take The Floor” Live broadcasts, and other radio and TV work. The band members have many other recordings, interests and projects on the go, and further information is available on the next web page “The Musicians”. A fourth album "Reel of Four' is now also available.
The Occasionals are available for all types of bookings; ceilidh dances, concerts, conferences, festivals, weddings, parties, and old time dances, and are fully equipped with the latest sound system designed to give the best sound in any venue. The band will travel far and wide, and we look forward to hearing from you! |
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