16 years rocking Sussex
Folk-rock
at its finest.
Electric violin, big harmonies and covers you won't hear anywhere else. Pubs, clubs, festivals, weddings and birthdays — fast, loud and always lively.
Next up: Sat, 24 Oct 2026 · The Boot, Seaford
Come and see us
Upcoming gigs
Formed before Game of Thrones...
No two nights the same.
Back when the newest iPhone was a 3GS, folk and rock loving musicians came together to blend the two genres into the upbeat phenomenon that is Buckler's Reel. We don't play the covers everyone else does — and the great British public loves it.
Recently filmed by the BBC for The Great Staycation at The Mac's Farm.
"Nobody can be told what Buckler's Reel are like, you have to see them for yourself." — Morpheus
Buckler's Reel — the band
The full-on four-piece rockin' sensation, for when you want your evening hi-energy, fast and loud.
Buckler's Lite — the duo
When space is tight and a lighter sound is needed, Sue and Paul bring their own quirky set and witty banter.
Meet the band
The usual suspects
Sue Buckler
Electric violin & vocals
Paul Vaughan
Guitar & vocals
Chris Phare
Bass & vocals
Jules Smith
Drums, percussion & vocals
Caught on camera
Videos
Live clips from pubs, festivals and parties.
What you'll hear
The set list
Folk-rock, traditional, pop and covers — from Irish reels to 80s classics, all featuring the electric Viper violin.
- 01Fairytale of New YorkThe Pogues & Kirsty MacColl — The Christmas favourite — only for December.
- 02Fisherman's BluesThe Waterboys — 1980s Irish folk-rock.
- 03Beautiful DayThe Levellers — Our version of the Brighton rockers' favourite.
- 04A Horse with No NameAmerica — The American folk-rockers' anthem.
- 05Just Can't Get EnoughDepeche Mode — Part of our 80s homage.
- 06Love Will Tear Us ApartJoy Division — 80s sadness but enduring.
- 07Shetland MedleyTraditional — Lament, hornpipe and frantic reel to finish.
- 08Streams of WhiskyThe Pogues — We like songs about drinking.
- 09Take On MeA-ha — Norwegian folk done Buckler's Reel style.
- 10Copperhead RoadSteve Earle — One of our favourite artists.
- 11Og's Eye ManFaustus — Our own take on a mysterious song and lyric.
- 12Weather With YouCrowded House — Our Australian offering to world music.
- 13Wake Me UpAvicii — One of our more modern songs.
- 14Galway GirlSteve Earle — Trad Irish version rather than Ed Sheeran's.
- 15Should I Stay or Should I GoThe Clash — Our punk offering.
- 16Boys from the BluehillTraditional — A medley of violin jigs and reels.
- 17500 MilesThe Proclaimers — Sing-a-long favourite from our Scottish friends.
- 18Drowsy MaggieTraditional — Scottish reel.
- 19Don't You Want Me BabyHuman League — A bluegrass imagining.
- 20Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles — Think Latin — but we're not changing that iconic guitar solo.
- 21Star of MunsterTraditional — Nothing traditional about the way we play this Irish jig.
- 22Young at HeartThe Bluebells — A hit in 1984, then again in 1993.
- 23Mad TomTraditional — The story of a psychopathic inmate of London's Bedlam hospital.
- 24The ChainFleetwood Mac — The famous hit kept alive by F1 and yours truly.
- 25Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners — Dungarees and Northern soul from the 80s.
- 26The Devil Went Down to GeorgiaCharlie Daniels — A violin duel between Sue Buckler and the Devil.
- 27If I Should Fall from GraceThe Pogues — More moshing material from the Celtic punks.
- 28Irish RoverTraditional — The tale of that wondrous sailing ship with 27 masts.
- 29New York GirlsTraditional — A sea shanty and timely warning about certain ladies of the night.
- 30Come Up and See MeCockney Rebel — 70s fun.
- 31Mr Blue SkyELO — They needed a stageful of musicians; we do it with 4.
- 32DixielandSteve Earle — A tale of Irish immigrants in the US civil war.
- 33It Must Be LoveLabi Siffre — More Labi Siffre than Madness.
- 34South AustraliaTraditional — Sea shanty, Pogues style.
- 35End of the LineTraveling Wilburys — Our tribute to the supergroup.
- 36Boys from Ballycastle / Lannigan's Ball / Soldier's JoyTraditional — Dance tunes.
- 37Wishful ThinkingChina Crisis — Our new-wave tribute.
- 38How Long Will I Love YouThe Waterboys — A love song with an awesome violin finale.
- 39I Used to Love HerThe Saw Doctors — A rollickin' Irish tale of love gone bad.
- 40Sally MacLennaneThe Pogues — One of a long line of songs about booze and boozers.
- 41Whiskey in the JarTraditional — Our version of the Irish classic highwayman's tale.
- 42Mason's ApronTraditional — A Celtic reel.
- 43Walk of LifeDire Straits — Their biggest UK hit, and a great dance number.
- 44Yarmouth TownTraditional — A sea shanty about a young lady who loved sailors.
- 45Tam LinTraditional — Also known as Glasgow Reel — a great gig starter.
- 46Rose TattooDropkick Murphys — A 2012 Celtic punk song about the many reasons for getting a tattoo.
- 47Johnny Come LatelySteve Earle — A tribute to those who fought and sacrificed in the Vietnam war.
- 48Folsom Prison BluesJohnny Cash — A 50s rock'n'roll classic.
- 49Going HomeMark Knopfler — A cracking theme tune from a cracking film.
- 50In a Big CountryBig Country — Scottish rock classic from 1983, with the Viper doing the bagpipe impression.
- 51Pearl & DeanTraditional — Energetic violin instrumental with a familiar start and finish.
- 52The RoadThe Levellers — Another nostalgic song from our local folk/punk heroes.
- 53Dancing in the DarkBruce Springsteen — The 1984 classic, only featuring violin.
- 54Something in the AirThunderclap Newman — With a surprise in the middle.
- 55Shipping Up to BostonDropkick Murphys — Featured in the film The Departed, done our own special way.
On the road
Gallery
Photos from recent gigs.
From the tour van
News & blog
Fri, 23 Oct 2026
Merchandise! Coming soon...
We have taken delivery of 2 prototype Buckler's Reel tee shirts (men's and women's fit) and are very pleased with the results. Watch this space for more news about how you can get your hands on one (or two) , and do drop…
Make it a night to remember
Book the band
Pubs, clubs, festivals, weddings, birthdays and private parties across Sussex and beyond. Tell us about your event and we'll get back to you.
- ✦ Full four-piece band — loud & lively
- ✦ Buckler's Lite duo — for smaller spaces
- ✦ Festivals, weddings & private parties