Portmanteau
Traditional Balfolk dance tunes with a touch of modernity. Portmanteau's blend of acoustic instruments and subtle synthesizers creates a captivating musical experience that honors tradition while embracing the future.
Portmanteau are a talented and versatile band who are sure to get you dancing. If you're a fan of lively schottisches, exquisite mazurkas, and driving bourrées, then you should definitely check them out.
About
Portmanteau is a breath of fresh air on the balfolk scene. With their unique blend of old and new, they're sure to get you up and dancing.
The genuine connection between the band members shines through in their music, with deep rich harmonies and driving rhythms.
Robin Fairey
From a background in orchestral and folk music, Robin has long enjoyed combining folk-inspired repertoire with synthesised orchestration, adding loopers, grooveboxes and effects pedals to whistles, saxophones and wind synths. He currently plays in a number of local folk and covers bands, and continues to explore new genres.
Caro Appleby
Having grown up with classical music, multi-instrumentalist Caro discovered folk music and dance while at university. She's found her musical home playing for various kinds of folk dancing, and particularly enjoys challenging dancers to interact with and respond to her exciting and rhythmic playing.
James Rhodes
Ever since he discovered balfolk as a young melodeon player, James has wanted to learn all the tunes. Since he began to play for dancers, he's been in great demand as a soloist and member of various groups. He loves taking tunes out of their natural habitat, and finding creative ways to make them fun to dance to.
Music
Laridé Emitting Diodes
Having put together a live electronic balfolk set for IVFDF York 2024, we decided to record it shortly after the gig. We did this in Robin's living room where it all began.
We designed the album to be good for both listening and dancing. It's pretty much the same as how we play these tunes live at bals.
- Longwater (schottishe)
- L'estropié (bourée deux temps)
- Laridé (laridé à huit)
- Polka piquée (polka piquée)
- Very Jeune (gavotte de l'aven)
- An dro (an dro)
- Mazurka à Clément (mazurka)
- Midsommerschottish (schottishe)
Upcoming Events
Don't see an event near you? Get in touch to arrange one!
-
Sat, 22 Feb 2025
Patcham, Brighton, UK
Dancez Français
All-acoustic bal
-
Fri, 23 May 2025 - Mon, 26 May 2025
Chippenham, UK
Chippenham Folk Festival
Fully-synthesised "ElectroBal"
-
Sun, 12 Oct 2025
Ibsley, Hampshire, UK
Eurobal Wessex
All-acoustic bal
Past Events
- 20 Jan 2024 Cam-French Half acoustic, half synthesised bal
- 21 Jan 2024 Les Batons All-acoustic bal
- 07 Feb 2024 Pied à Terre All-acoustic bal
- 16 Feb 2024 IVFDF 2024 Half acoustic, half synthesised bal
- 24 May 2024 Chippenham Folk Festival All-acoustic bal and various workshops
- 15 Sept 2024 Les Batons All-acoustic bal
- 19 Oct 2024 Electric Folk Dance Party All-synthesised bal
- 23 Nov 2024 Balfolk Bristol All-acoustic bal
We hope to see you on the dance floor soon!
Get notified when we’re up to something exciting
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up-to-date on our latest news, get early access to new music and be the first to know about upcoming events.
Portmanteau were perfect for my birthday Bal, providing a clear beat and plenty of energy for those not used to French dancing alongside clever harmonies, interesting rhythms and extra drive for those who had time to think about the music.
Get in touch
We'd love to hear from you, whether you'd like to book us for a bal or workshop, ask a question, or just tell us what your favourite dance is.