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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.

Alan Brunier
Folk Dance Manager, Chippenham Folk Festival

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.

Cover art for Laridé Emitting Diodes album
  1. Longwater (schottishe)
  2. L'estropié (bourée deux temps)
  3. Laridé (laridé à huit)
  4. Polka piquée (polka piquée)
  5. Very Jeune (gavotte de l'aven)
  6. An dro (an dro)
  7. Mazurka à Clément (mazurka)
  8. Midsommerschottish (schottishe)

Upcoming Events

Don't see an event near you? Get in touch to arrange one!

  1. Sat, 19 Oct 2024

    Hope, Derbyshire

    Electric Folk Dance Party

    All-synthesised bal

  2. Sat, 22 Feb 2025

    Patcham, Brighton, UK

    Dancez Français

    All-acoustic bal

  3. Sun, 12 Oct 2025

    Ibsley, Hampshire, UK

    Eurobal Wessex

    All-acoustic bal

Past Events

We hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

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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.

Alison Giles

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.