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Anna violinist from Emerald Thieves

What is a Showband?

The Emerald Thieves are a modern day Irish Showband - Back in the 50's, 60's and 70's Irish musicians touring the country performing on the hotel, dancehall and ballroom circuit had to adapt to big changes happening on the music scene by adding rock'n'roll standards, country & western music and 70's pop & rock hits to their ever-growing repertoire. Irish audiences still loved folk songs, but the bands could see new generations were going out especially to dance to radio hits and new popular genres that were happening all around the world at that time. The dancehall era of 'The Irish Showband' provided valuable income for working musicians, and a perfect platform for future stars such as Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher, Horslips and Thin Lizzy to hone their performance skills.

Originating in Belfast, the Emerald Thieves now deliver a uniquely modern spin on the Irish Showband format from their home in the North East of England. Every showband set incudes a diverse mixture of popular Irish sing-alongs, country music classics and folk-rock anthems, fused with worldwide pop & rock chart hits from the 1960’s to present day. Our love for playing all styles of music has wide appeal and helps create the perfect party band for every generation of live music lovers.

Emerald Thieves Drummer Gary Prior
Emerald Thieves keyboard player Andrew Hart

Emerald Thieves are the consummate professional party band. Five trained musicians, including a qualified sound engineer, a tour-grade sound system and a wealth of performance skills perfected at over a decade of wedding, corporate and festival appearances. All equipment is PAT safety tested annually and the band carry £10,000,000 of Public Liability Insurance as standard. These important factors are in place to assure our clients their money is being spent wisely.

The band offer bespoke song services and all-inclusive band + DJ packages which cover the whole evening, A wide range of music genres, and eras have been carefully considered specifically to cater for all age groups. Thrill your guests with Mumford-style Indie acoustic hits, electric rock, pop, Irish, folk, country, Britpop, modern anthems and sing-alongs, all delivered with a unique and captivating twist of electric fiddle. You are hiring perfect live party music, from an experienced band which has performed for thousands of clients in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Middle East.

Just ask around, Emerald Thieves are the real deal

  We strongly advise couples to view potential wedding bands in person, don't be wooed by slick HD promo videos that have been produced in a recording studio.  An honest live performance will tell you so much more about a bands ability, stagecraft, professionalism and personality.

Although many Emerald Thieves shows are private events, you can view the band once a month at your local family-friendly Stack venue.  It's a great place to hang-out, enjoy live music, drinks and street food.

I  In 2022 the band were proudly asked to perform at a wedding party in the Lake District for the daughter of Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone. UK Rock Legends Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent invited the Emerald Thieves onstage to perform their 1964 hit single 'She's not there' - we are huge fans, so that really was an incredible moment we will never forget it, here's what they had to say... 'm

Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone from the Zombies

Rod Argent & Colin Blunstone
The Zombies - UK Rock Band
Askham Hall - June 2022

 

"Emerald Thieves are a fantastic band. Great players, with a very cool sound" 

"We really enjoyed watching, and performing with you.

I know you saw us dancing, but listen...I've been in a band with Rod for over sixty years and I had never seen him dance before tonight! That really says something"    

Colin Blunstone

Fun Facts...

The

C0-founder Anna Millar performed violin for Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal visit to Durham Castle in 2012

 

The band have shared stages with Heather Small (M-People), BoysLife, Rick Astley, The Zombies, Gabrielle, LibertyX and 911

 

Emerald Thieves have appeared at countless high-profile corporate events and have performed headline sets at Lindisfarne Festival, Stormin' the Castle, Keswick Beer Festival, Gateshead Festival, Hardwick Oyster Festival, Little Lindi and Blyth Live in addition to a variety of VW camper enthusiast events and biker rally appearances all around the United Kingdom.

Testimonials

Dan and Siobhàn Benson
North East Wedding Clients
Durham Castle - April 2022

"Job very well done at Durham Castle everyone 
👏👏👏


Robert and the Emerald Thieves absolutely made our wedding... especially considering we took a gamble by booking a band we had never heard live. They were absolutely fantastic!

 

Soooo many guests have said you were brilliant, outstanding!

The mix of Irish and modern music was quality. We had the best day and were never off the dance-floor!!... that's because of you and the rest of the band.

You surpassed all expectations.

From the new Mr and Mrs Benson we want to send out heartfelt thanks for making our day the most wonderful day we could have ever asked for."

Slainté!!!

Lorraine Weightman, Author
Junior VP - Consett Rotary
St. Patrick's Hall - May 2022

"I booked this amazing band for an event in Consett. They are brilliant musicians and lovely, friendly people, who accommodated our needs, going out of their way to make the night special and one to remember. 

I highly recommend Emerald Thieves to anyone who wants the best fun dancing to lively, exceptional music.

Our folks were on the dance floor from beginning to end and I can’t wait for the next event.

Emerald Thieves bring the party to the party!"

Will Greenwell
Wedding Client - Edinburgh

Barnbougle Castle - April 2023

 

What can we say? Rob, Anna, Gary, Jon and Andrew...not just truly lovely people, but an absolutely phenomenal band.
We felt very lucky to have them play at our wedding at Barnbougle Castle just outside of Edinburgh in April of this year (2023). A thoughtful set list, expertly delivered, which kept the dance floor full all night!

 

Thanks for being so easy to deal with, and for delivering an unforgettable party.

Bookings and Cancellations

Emerald Thieves have a superb booking system which allows our clients the convenience of planning ahead and securing our services for upcoming special events. An advance date reservation fee of £100 is all that is required to ensure your event is safely secured in the band diary. All verbal and written agreements between us as a supplier and you as our client are legally binding. Clients agree to pay the reasonable compensation fees outlined in our terms should cancellation occur 90-days or less from the date reserved for their event.
 
Cancellation requests must be notified & acknowledged in writing.
 

If you need to discuss any aspect of bookings, cancellations or postponements please get in touch, we are always here to help. 

Terms & Conditions

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