The Wild Murphys

The Wild Murphys

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Location Durham
Starting from £1302
48 Reviews

Purveyors of fine Irish music and quality hangovers since 2005!

  • Highlights
  • Unique 4-piece with fiddle player, based in Durham
  • Available UK-wide
  • Fully self-contained with PAT-tested PA system and lighting

Incredible act, great night with Middi and the gang and worth every penny.

Joe Barton, Caernarvonshire

Really nice guys. Lots of compliments saying how good the Wild Murphys were. 

Paul Tracey, Manchester

About


The Wild Murphys are a very lively Irish covers group based in the north east of England. Over the last 15 years Middi and his group of raggle taggle misfits have unquestionably become one of the most popular Irish music tribute groups in the UK. The band started as a duo in 2005 with one simple goal in mind, to play Irish music that was impossible to not like. From humble beginnings playing in small pubs and clubs they quickly moved on to playing private events like garden parties and weddings. In 2010 they started playing corporate events and were soon picked up to headline Irish theme days on racecourses, they have to date played all but 6 of the racecourses in England, Scotland and Wales and have played multiple times on some of the most famous racecourses.

Despite none of the members of the group being from Ireland, The Wild Murphys have played at some of the biggest and most prestigious events not just in the UK but all over the world and have been accepted as a true Irish tribute act purely through their clear love and passion for performing that type of music, they have performed in Benidorm, Greece, Dubai, Germany and in 2010 they competed in the international Irish band competition in Las Vegas coming 3rd out of 38 acts.

They are one of the most popular and busiest Irish tribute bands in the UK playing up and down the country at private events and racecourse. They are also currently touring 2 theatre productions "One night in Dublin" which features and all live 8 piece band playing classic lively Irish songs and "One night in Texas" a wow-factor packed country music extravaganza with a full live band a 3 singers.  

If you're having a Wedding, Birthday party, Anniversary bash, Funeral Wake or general all round knees up and your taste in music lies on the lively side of Irish, The Pogues, The Dubliners, The Saw Doctors, Flogging Molly, The Dropkick Murphys, Brendan Shine, Nathan Carter, The Fureys, etc. then this is the group for you! - They're not a folk band, they're not a ceilidh band, they're not even a rock band, they are an out and out Irish music group, playing some of the greatest Irish classics in their own inimitable style, no-one is doing this selection of songs in this lively a style anywhere in the UK today!

Listen

Repertoire


Sample Set List

  • Whiskey In The Jar - Wild Murphys version
  • Wild Rover - Dropkick Murphys
  • Sally Maclennanne - Pogues
  • Black Velvet Band - Wild Murphys version
  • Las Vegas - Goats don't shave
  • Galway Girl - Wild Murphys version
  • I'll Tell Me Ma - Wild Murphys version
  • Streams of Whiskey - Pogues
  • I Usta Love Her - Saw Doctors
  • American Land - Bruce Springsteen
  • Fall from grace with God - Pogues
  • Mollys Bar - Wild Murphys version
  • Dirty Auld Town - Wild Murphys version
  • Irish Rover - Pogues
  • Holloway Boulevard - The Popes
  • Irish Post - Saw Doctors
  • Ferrymen - Wild Murphys version
  • R U Looking at me - Ricky Tomlinson
  • Whiskey You're the Devil - Wild Murphys version
  • Small Bit of Love - Saw Doctors
  • When you were Sweet Sixteen - Wild Murphys version
  • Holy Ground (Fine girl you are) - Wild Murphys version
  • Paddy Murphy - Wild Murphys version
  • Body of an American - Pogues
  • Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
  • Molly Malone (Cockles and Muscles) - Wild Murphys version
  • Seven Drunken nights - Wild Murphys version
  • Nancy Whiskey - The Popes
  • Bould O Donaghue - Brendan Shine
Line-Up

  • Middi - Lead Vocals/Accordion/Guitar
  • Sarah - Flute/Vocals
  • Tony - Piano
  • Sophy - Fiddle

45 Reviews

Award Winner Top Act 100 Events
Top reviews

Christina Georgallis

Event: Private Party
Location: Yorkshire
5/5

I cannot say how AMAZING this band were when they came to play at our CEO's leaving do (who's Irish) You need to book them to understand. They were FABULOUS and got the party started. Get them to play The Gambler! AMAZING, LOVED HEARING THEM AND WILL BOOK AGAIN FOR FORTHCOMING DOS.


Vikki Krzyzaniak

Event: Private Party
Location: Derbyshire
5/5

Absolutely amazing band from start to finish. Great communication and had everyone up dancing. I will definitely re-book in future.


Jenny O'Reilly

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Devon
5/5

The Wild Murphys played at my husband's surprise 40th birthday party this weekend and were amazing. (They also played at our wedding 5 years ago!) They embraced the woodland venue having travelled the length of the country to be with us. We can't thank or recommend them highly enough.


Richard Allen - West Haddon Cricket Club

Event: Festival
Location: Northamptonshire
5/5

Awesome, enough said! See you next year!


Sam Tulip

Event: Wedding
Location: Tyne and Wear
5/5

The band were excellent! They definitely were everything and more of what we expected. All of our guests loved them and they got the party started. Would recommend them for any event!


Paul Blanchard

Event: Wedding
Location: Cheshire
5/5

Absolutely great bunch of guys who really made the night. Wouldn't hesitate to re-book!!


Lisa Connellan

Event: Wedding
Location: Northumberland
5/5

Absolutely fabulous! The dance floor was full and everyone has said how great they were.


Teresa Maguire

Event: Wedding
Location: Cumbria
5/5

The guys were incredible. They had everyone dancing. They were full of energy and filled the marquee with Irish gold classics. Thank you so much.


Jules Watts

Event:
Location: Norfolk
5/5

So glad we booked The Wild Murphys for our do. These guys are absolute pros and went down a storm with our guests. Thanks guys, you're the cat's pyjamas!! ;)


Linda Foord

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Cambridgeshire
5/5

Excellent in every way from the booking through to the performance. Cannot recommend highly enough. A great bunch of guys, very friendly, talented and professional. Truly made The Anchor rock!! Thank you Middi and the boys and Jodie at Warble too.


David Gardener

Event: Wedding
Location: Durham
5/5

First class - Everyone said the band made the night, thanks again.


David Gardener

Event: Wedding
Location: Durham
5/5

Top band, everyone loved them.


Donna Carhart

Event: Wedding
Location: Surrey
5/5

We had The Wild Murphys play at our wedding and were not disappointed. We knew they were good but having them live was something else! Great fun guys that put everything into their performance! Both our Irish and English family had an amazing night and were up dancing. Highly recommend for a wedding or any celebration!


Peter Berkley

Event: Private Party
Location: Buckinghamshire
5/5

A very big thank you for a fantastic performance. You made all the difference to our party and completely lived up to expectations. Everybody thought you were wonderful. Well done. Incidentally I was also so pleased that you came and went so quietly, without any interference, problems, questions etc, you all just got on with it! A fantastic show. I hope some bookings for you arise from our grateful guests. We have to thank you for the recommendation Matt. It worked out so well. Hope to see you again soon. Pat and Peter Berkley.


Joe Barton

Event: Venue Club
Location: Caernarvonshire
5/5

Incredible act, great night with Middi and the gang and worth every penny. Irish music was incredible! Thank you, will see you again in the new year.


Marc Blair

Event: Wedding
Location: Lincolnshire
5/5

Fantastic band and had everybody on their feet! Also very happy and flexible on the day, we were running an hour and a half late all day, this didn't cause them a problem and they just moved thier set timings for us.


Elaine Mulhall

Event: Wedding
Location: Lancashire
5/5

Absolutely fantastic night and would recommend The Wild Murphys! Couldn't have asked for a better night, got everyone on their feet and lots of family and friends were asking where we had got the band from. We all had a good old knees up, Thank you all so much.


Kayleigh Conlon

Event: Wedding
Location: Nottinghamshire
5/5

What can I say about The Wild Murphys? They are amazingly talented men, with so much charisma! They had everyone up, dancing and jigging along! Very professional but relaxed at the same time, they had such a laugh with our guests and just a joy to have there! Couldn't have picked a better band! They arrived with plenty of time and confirmed everything well in advance on the event so it all ran smoothly. Thank you so much for making the night what it was! I honestly can't recommend them enough!


Sonia Reynolds

Event: Birthday Party
Location: North Yorkshire
5/5

We and our guests loved having The Wild Murphies as they were catchy, different and everyone was up for a good bit of dancing !! Great band and nice guys! Thanks


Martin Van Aalst

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Lancashire
5/5

Morning Nicola, I would like to say what a fantastic night was had by all at Lynn’s birthday with the band. They have been brilliant and very professional and I would recommend them to anybody who was having a function. The club where they played on Saturday would also recommend them. But, the most important thing was that Lynn was over the moon. So once again many thanks for all your assistance in arranging the band and please pass on our thanks to the band for making it a very special night for Lynn.


Martin Van Aalst

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Lancashire
5/5

The band were absolutely brilliant and went down a treat with all the different age groups and I would recommend them to play at any function, and the club will also recommend them to future functions. Please pass on my thanks to the band and once again thank you for a great night.


Cheryl Bailey and Stuart Bunce

Event: Wedding
Location: Northamptonshire
5/5

Loved The Wild Murphys! Great musicians playing fun and entertaining music, and all-round nice guys! Very engaging with the audience between songs. Very responsive to emails prior to the event, which made us both feel at ease. All the feedback from our guests has been very positive, everyone in attendance really enjoyed both sets. My only regret is getting these guys to play 2x45 min sets instead of 2x60 min (which they did offer)! For anyone looking for a band for any event, I would highly recommend The Wild Murphys. Gentlemen - it was a perfect day for my bride and I, we can't thank you enough for your contribution to it! Stuart & Cheryl.


Diane Robinson

Event: Wedding
Location: Lancashire
5/5

Amazing band everyone at the wedding loved them. Every single person was up dancing, thank you so much and apologies that I didn't get chance to thank them personally before they left.


Ross Hodgson & Alison Anderson

Event: Wedding
Location: Durham
5/5

The band was great, great guys, great music. I'm really glad we booked them, they made our wedding very special. I would highly recommend them. Thanks guys :) :)


James Murray

Event: Wedding
Location: Lanarkshire
5/5

The band were amazing and everyone who attended had a superb night. Will certainly look to get the band for any further functions at a later date


Chris O\'Reilly

Event: Wedding
Location: North Yorkshire
5/5

Absolutely perfect! Fantastic communication prior to our wedding then on the day itself they were amazing. So much fun and every guest commented on how good they were. Thank you for being the icing on the cake for our special day!


Ian Chanin

Event: Wedding
Location: Devon
5/5

Found us easily! Very happy and enthusiastic beforehand, despite their seven hour drive! Music wise - brilliant, interacted with crowd and kept them amused, Everyone got up and danced and commented on how great they were. Really pleased I booked the Wild Murphys through Warble Entertainment.


Kevin Scott

Event: Private Party
Location: Cumbria
5/5

Great band & we would recommend them to anyone - 10/10.


Tracey Keogh

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Kent
5/5

A great great night - thank you to The Wild Murphys. Only wished you could have played all night!


Ailsa Mitchell

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Tyne and Wear
5/5

The band was amazing. Turned up on time and everyone at the party said they made the party. I will recommend this band to everyone. I am going to book again for a few months for my leaving the UK party!


Paul Tracey

Event: Funeral
Location: Manchester
5/5

Excellent performance. Really nice guys. Lots of compliments saying how good the Wild Murphys were. No hesitation in recommending the band for any function - great new album as well! Thanks Paul


Daniel Rowan

Event: Wedding
Location: Essex
5/5

We would just like to thank The Wild Murphy's and Warble for a great service. The Wild Murphys were absolutely brilliant, we knew from the first note played that it was going to be an excellent set, and really helped make our wedding so special. Brilliant, brilliant band would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a fast paced, fun Irish filled evening. Thank you for everything. Lots of love Laura and Daniel Rowan.


Liz Furey

Event: Private Party
Location: Manchester
5/5

Thanks very much to the Wild Murphy's for helping to make our party a great night.


Kieran McCrumlish - Village Store

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Sussex
5/5

Not having ever heard The Wild Murphys I took a punt, and I can tell you we were not disappointed. The whole day for my wife's 60th birthday was brilliant, and the icing on the cake was Middi & Co. together with the local Irish dancers, who had only ever danced to CD's and never to a live band before. They were so excited, especially when Middi told them they were the best ever. We were excited and word has spread around the village of what a good time we had. I hope we will be able to do it all over again. BRILLIANT!!! BRILLIANT!!! BRILLIANT!!! Kieran & Geraldine McCrumlish


Alan Portman

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Yorkshire
5/5

The best band we could have hoped for. We had a family party and you guys made it. Fabulous singers, great fun and so much attention to detail. We cant wait to see you again 10/10!!! You made the night. Thanks so much!


Donna and James

Event: Wedding
Location: Durham
5/5

Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you so much for providing the entertainment for our wedding at Redworth Hall. Most of our guests were Irish and the night before they were all complaining that the band we booked weren't from Ireland but you certainly proved them wrong. You've all been made honorary Irish men. See you at our anniversary bash.


Elizabeth

Event: Funeral
Location: Yorkshire
5/5

Can't thank you enough for playing the wake after my Dad's funeral, everyone commented on how much they enjoyed your music and how it lifted the mood of the occasion. My Dad took me to see The Pogues every year when he was alive, he would have loved what you did.


Kerry Parsons - The Hare and Hounds

Event: Hotel
Location: Cumbria
5/5

First time we have ever had live music in our pub, and we could not have had a better night! The Wild Murphys were absolutely fantastic! Brilliant music, great guys and hilarious too! They got our place rocking!! We will definitely be booking The Wild Murphys again! And everyone at Warble was so friendly and helpful, I cant thank you all enough!


Sarah Vale

Event: Wedding
Location: Caithness
5/5

They were absolutely outstanding, they made our wedding dance!! And nice guys as well. Would completely recommend them.


Kelly Cummings

Event: Wedding
Location: Carmarthen
5/5

The Wild Murphys were amazing, EVERYONE enjoyed the music and said how great they were. Would 100% recommend them. Thank you very much.


Kevin Knight

Event: Venue Club
Location: Buckinghamshire
5/5

Warble were great in every way acted very fast with any info etc. Contact with the act was great the band were outstanding in every way and I had very good feedback from people on the night and still getting it. Once a again a big thank you to you and your team.


Lucy Sanderson

Event: Private Party
Location: Lancashire
5/5

Fabulous! Made the christening goes with a bang.


Jo Waterfield

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Leicestershire
5/5

What a brilliant night we had with The Wild Murphys. They were such fun and brought the whole event to life. The music was amazing and the boy's were so accommodating and could not do enough to please. I will definitely book them again, and again and again!


Gill Rayney

Event: Birthday Party
Location: Lincolnshire
5/5

Wow what a fantastic night! They were more than our expectations as we had listened to the sound bites on the website and in person they were fantastic. Loads of feedback from our friends and family saying how good they were and even the bar staff wanted the number to book for a later date. They just did not sing (and sing very well) they were the whole package and really made our night one to remember. What entertainment! Booking through Warble Entertainment was so easy and any queries quickly answered and nothing was too much trouble I would definitely recommend them and Wild Murphy's - thanks guys for just being so blooming brilliant. Thank you thank you xxxx Gill


Jennifer Gough

Event: Wedding
Location: Dumfries and Galloway
5/5

The Wild Murphys played at my wedding in Gretna Green on the 21st June 2013 & were absolutely fantastic, very friendly and flexible! Their music was great and practically all of my 40 guests commented on how good they were. The music was perfect for our wedding and made the night. I would highly recommend this band if you want a lively dancing knees up! Brilliant, thanks so much to Middi & the group.


    Pricing

    We give you a bespoke price based on the exact location of your event. The pricing below is based on a central location for your area so you have an idea of what your price will be. The exact price will be given in the booking process after you’ve provided the location details.

    East
    • Cambridgeshire £1,302
    • Norfolk £1,302
    • Norwich £1,302
    • Suffolk £1,302
    East Midlands
    • Derbyshire £1,302
    • Leicestershire £1,302
    • Lincolnshire £1,302
    • Northamptonshire £1,302
    • Nottinghamshire £1,302
    • Rutland £1,302
    Foreign Locations
    • Europe £2,728
    • Rest of the world £3,968
    North East
    • Durham £1,302
    • East Yorkshire £1,302
    • Leeds £1,302
    • North Yorkshire £1,302
    • Northumberland £1,302
    • South Yorkshire £1,302
    • Tyne and Wear £1,302
    • West Yorkshire £1,302
    • Yorkshire £1,302
    North West
    • Cheshire £1,302
    • Cumbria £1,302
    • Lancashire £1,302
    • Liverpool £1,302
    • Manchester £1,302
    • Merseyside £1,302
    Scotland
    • Aberdeen £1,302
    • Ayrshire £1,302
    • Dumfriesshire £1,302
    • Dundee £1,302
    • East Lothian £1,302
    • Edinburgh £1,302
    • Fife £1,302
    • Glasgow £1,302
    • Inverness £1,426
    • Lanarkshire £1,302
    • Midlothian £1,302
    • Perth £1,302
    • Stirlingshire £1,302
    • Sutherland £1,302
    • West Lothian £1,302
    South East
    • Bedfordshire £1,302
    • Berkshire £1,302
    • Buckinghamshire £1,302
    • East Sussex £1,302
    • Essex £1,302
    • Hampshire £1,302
    • Hertfordshire £1,302
    • Isle of Wight £1,302
    • Kent £1,302
    • London £1,798
    • Middlesex £1,302
    • Oxfordshire £1,302
    • Surrey £1,302
    • Sussex £1,302
    • West Sussex £1,302
    South West
    • Bath £1,302
    • Bristol £1,302
    • Cornwall £1,426
    • Devon £1,302
    • Dorset £1,302
    • Somerset £1,302
    • Wiltshire £1,302
    Wales
    • Anglesey £1,302
    • Brecon £1,302
    • Caernarvonshire £1,302
    • Cardiff £1,302
    • Cardigan £1,302
    • Carmarthen £1,302
    • Denbigh £1,302
    • Flint £1,302
    • Glamorgan £1,302
    • Monmouth £1,302
    • Pembroke £1,302
    • Powys £1,302
    • Wrexham £1,302
    West Midlands
    • Birmingham £1,302
    • Gloucestershire £1,302
    • Herefordshire £1,302
    • Shropshire £1,302
    • Staffordshire £1,302
    • Warwickshire £1,302
    • Worcestershire £1,302

    Ready to book
    The Wild Murphys?

    The Wild Murphys
    Or call 01270 501 164

    FAQs

    How many of you are in the group?
    This lineup of the Wild Murphys is by far the most popular - featuring the 4 core members of the 'One night in Dublin' show. The remaining members of the band are recorded onto backing track to give that 8 piece band sound at a fraction of the 8 piece price.

    Can we book Middi as a solo act?
    Due to contractual obligations Middi only performs as part of The Wild Murphys.

    How much do The Wild Murphys cost to hire?
    Please ask Warble for a quote.

    What time do you arrive and how long does it take you to set up?
    For a typical evening event, we'll arrive at 6.30pm to be set up and sound checked by 7pm. Our standard performance time is 2 x 45 minute sets or 1 x 90 minute set and singing our last song no later than 10.30pm.

    What if we only want you for an hour, would that be cheaper?
    It makes no difference, we'd still have the same costs getting to and from the venue and we'd still be booked out for the night so you have to pay full fee, some people like just 1 hour of full on lively stuff cause it suits their evening but we always offer the full 2 x 45 mins option!

    Can you do 3 x 30 mins instead?
    Yes, but it doesn't work very well, the show gets too broken up that way, as always it's your choice on the day but we wouldn't recommend it.

    Who won the world cup in 1974?
    Germany.

    Can we also hire the musicians who are on the backing tracks?
    Yes, just ask Warble Entertainement for a quote.

    What's the biggest place you've played?
    We have played at and sold out many of the UK's most prestigious theatres. The Biggest venue so far has been Arenas in Grimsby and St. Albans at around 1450 seats.

    How much space do you need?
    Our dream space is a 4m wide x 3m deep raised stage, however, we can pretty much play anywhere, we've played in living rooms, garages and smoking shelters before.

    Can you play outside?
    Weather permitting, yes, however, you must provide us with some kind of shelter, a gazebo or similar in case of rain and to stop us getting sunburned (Remember, our guitarist is Scottish which means he can get sunburned watching a firework display).

    Which celebrity do you fancy?
    It's a toss up between Sandra Bullock and Rachael Reilly from countdown.

    Do you have your own sound and light system?
    Yes, we're fully self contained with our own PA and basic lighting.

    What do you need from us on the night?
    Not much, a plug socket, somewhere to stand, somewhere to change clothes and our payment.

    Can we choose which songs you play?
    Good God No! You book us to do "our show" if you want to choose the songs and the order they're played in start your own band!

    What songs do you play?
    Our setlist is top secret, it's kept in a safe at Murphy HQ guarded by that Sparta security guy off the rent a cop TV show!

    But expect classics such as Whiskey in the jar, Galway Girl, Wild Rover, Irish Rover, Dirty old town, Molly Malone, Tell me ma, etc.

    by the likes of The Pogues, The Dubliners, The Saw Doctors, Nathan Carter, The Fureys, Flogging Molly and many many more.

    Along with some lesser known songs but all of them have that great toe tapping, hand claping, dancefloor filling beat.

    Can you play background music between sets?
    No, sorry, we only do our sets, we always recommend having a DJ or mobile disco service along side of us for the evening. Warble have many options for this.

    Do you offer a 'Disco' Option?
    No, sorry, we only do our music, we always recommend having a DJ or mobile disco service along side of us for the evening. Warble have many options for this.

    Can we hook our iPod or laptop to your PA system?
    No sorry, it's too impractical with the sound system we use, we always recommend having a DJ or mobile disco service along side of us for the evening. Warble have many options for this.

    What were B*witched's other UK number one singles after Ces’t La Vie?
    Rollercoaster, Blame It On The Weatherman and To You I Belong.

    Do you do any of those?
    Are you mental?!

    Have you ever not turned up for a booking?
    Only three times in 20 years, Once when Middi got a punctured lung from a fight with a cow, once due to severe weather conditions and once due to the (brand new van) blowing up.

    Who would win in a fight between Godzilla and King Kong?
    Probably Godzilla.

    Do you do any rebel songs?
    No, we don't do anything political.

    Do you do any Scottish/Celtic songs?
    No, we're an Irish group.

    How far do you travel?
    We cover the whole of the UK and Mainland Europe providing our own transport and equipment, for other worldwide locations (USA, Middle East, Etc.) you have to provide transport, accommodation, food, drink and all sound/light equipment.

    Can you sing our first dance at our wedding?
    If it's a song we already do in our show we are happy to perform an acoustic version of it for your first dance but otherwise you'll have to get the disco or the venue to play it for you.

    Do you work for the armed forces?
    No, I work for the Wild Murphys - but we play on army, navy and RAF bases on many occasions entertaining the troops.

    If you're unavailable for the date I want can you recommend anyone else who does what you do?
    Nobody does quite what we do, that's why we're busy, but our agents have other fantastic Irish acts on their roster.

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