Called Bushdances, Barndances & Line Dances | Iconic Australian Music | American Roadhouse & Country | Party Favourites | Blues & Roots | Trio, Four Piece, Full Stage Band
Swamp Dawkins is Diverse and Flexible.
We do an incredible array of gigs for all different kinds of clients, in all different kinds of settings, with all different purposes in mind, to create something unique for you, and we draw on different musicians offering a wide repertoire to make your event a success.
Swamp Dawkins is totally unique in seamlessly combining traditional called barn, bush, square and line dances with a repertoire of iconic Australia music, American Roadhouse & Country music, blues & roots and party favourites. We are work with you prior to the event, and on the evening, to tailor the mix of music to suit exactly what you and your guests need. Click here to download our Repertoire PDF.
Called Bushdances, Barndances & Linedances
Calling dances is a dark art I’ve been doing it for many many years, playing hundreds of gigs, for crowds as small as 20 and to well over 1,000 people. All the dances are taught & called on the night and are a truckload of fun.
And YES– people will dance. The biggest question I get asked is “Will people dance?” and “How do you get them dancing?”. Without fail we get people dancing and after years of experience, working with all kinds of crowds– I just know how to make it happen. And our favourite reviews, which we hear a lot, is “even the people who said they’d never ever dance were dancing!”.
The called dances generally are the key to the events that we do and is what most people want to make happen. We work with you to make sure that this happens with wild success, and we work with you in selecting the other music to be played to keep everyone entertained, on the dance floor and enjoying your event to its fullest.
The events where we do the called dances are normally themed as either an “Australian Country Bush Dance” or an “American Wild West Hoedown”. There’s a lot of commonality between the two, but differences in our repertoire and instrumentation of the band that give each night a distinct flavour.
Some people only want one or two called dances and want the party to take off once people have got that under their belts. Others want the called dancing all night and very little other music. Whatever it is– whatever your preference is– we tailor the night with you, to make sure it’s what you want.
American Roadhouse & Country
We have a great repertoire of classic music that is at home in any mid-west American bar or roadhouse. Everything from the country music Johnny Cash Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, to the music of John Cougar Mellancamp, The Georgia Satellites & Tom Petty.
Iconic Australian Music
For many events, the theme is distinctly Australian and we play iconic music from the likes of Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly, Hunters & Collectors, The Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels, Powerderfinger, Jet, Goanna, INXS, The Choirboys, AC/DC, Men At Work and others.
Party Favourites
Once the called dancing is done- sometime just one, two or three dances- and people have had their taste of the country, it’s time to let loose with music that keeps the dance floor occupied. Our repertoire is varied, with something for everyone– ABBA, Adele, The Black Keys, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Queen– even KISS if you’re keen.
Blues & Roots
Blues & Roots has it’s place for many of the events we do and can often set the scene in a relaxed manner. The classic blues of BB King, through to Clapton and to the Texas blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan– it’s great music and comes alive in a unique way with the fiddle, harmonica, pedal steel or electric lead guitar.
Felixble Lineup
The Four Piece Band | Guitar, Bass, Drums, Fiddle
Most of the events we do are as a four-piece of guitar, drums, bass & violin with male vocals/ dance calling. This lineup suits most events well and is provides flexibility across the repertoire.
Swamp Dawkins Trio | Guitar, Drums and Bass, Harmonica or Violin
For events that want a more relaxed & intimate feel, we regularly play as a trio. The trio is guitar, drums and then depending on the repertoire and type of event we’ll include bass, harmonica or violin.
Duos – “Picks & Fiddles” | “Stomp & Holl’r”
For smaller bars & clubs we’ll play as a duo. “Picks & Fiddles” is a duo of guitar & violin; and “Stomp & Holl’r” is guitar & stripped back drums.
Full Stage Band | Additional Soloists | Violin, Pedal Steel, Harmonica, Piano Accordion, Female Vocalist
For larger events, we play as a 5 or six piece full stage band by adding additional soloists to the four piece lineup. For longer events with bigger crowds the 5 or six piece carries the atmosphere and creates another level of energy to the performance.
