The Weird Sisters

The Weird Sisters are an exceptionally popular wizarding musical group within Great Britain and the wider wizarding world. They are known for their high-energy rock performances and distinctive appearance. Their most notable appearance in the series is as the featured entertainment for the Hogwarts Yule Ball during the 1994-1995 school year.

The Weird Sisters were already a famous band by 1994, as Harry Potter recognised their name when Professor McGonagall announced they would be playing at the Yule Ball. Their most well-documented performance occurred on 25 December 1994, in the Great Hall at Hogwarts Castle. They performed on a specially erected stage for the ball, an event celebrating the Triwizard Tournament. Their music was described as “incredibly loud,” and it successfully animated the crowd, inspiring even reserved individuals like Percy Weasley to dance. The performance was so well-received that Albus Dumbledore himself requested an encore from the band, which they happily provided. During the concert, an enthusiastic Professor Flitwick was seen being passed over the heads of the crowd.

The members of The Weird Sisters cultivate a distinct image appropriate for their musical genre. During their Yule Ball performance, all the band members had long, shaggy hair and wore artfully-ripped black robes. Their music is a loud, energetic form of wizard rock that compels listeners to dance. The powerful beat and volume are defining characteristics of their sound.

The original novels do not mention the names or specific number of band members. However, supplementary official materials have provided a full lineup.

• Myron Wagtail (Lead Singer) (Pottermore)
• Heathcote Barbary (Rhythm Guitar) (Pottermore)
• Kirley Duke (Lead Guitar) (Pottermore)
• Merton Graves (Cello) (Pottermore)
• Orsino Thruston (Drums) (Pottermore)
• Donaghan Tremlett (Bass) (Pottermore)
• Gideon Crumb (Bagpipes) (Pottermore)
• Herman Wintringham (Lute) (Pottermore)

The name “Weird Sisters” is a direct reference to the three witches in William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. In the play, the “weird sisters” (from the Old English word wyrd, meaning fate) deliver prophecies that drive the plot. This allusion connects the band to both famous Muggle literature and the theme of magic.

Film Adaptation In the film adaptation of `Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)`, The Weird Sisters are portrayed by an ensemble of real-world musicians from prominent British bands. The lineup included:

• Jarvis Cocker (of Pulp) as the lead singer
• Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway (of Radiohead)
• Steve Mackey (of Pulp)
• Jason Buckle (of All Seeing I)
• Steven Claydon (of Add N to (X))

The band performs three original songs in the film: “Do the Hippogriff,” “Magic Works,” and “This Is the Night.” Naming Controversy The name of the band became the subject of a real-world legal issue prior to the release of the `Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)`. A Canadian folk band named The Wyrd Sisters filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. for use of the name. As a result of the dispute, the band is never referred to by name in the dialogue of the film and is simply credited as “The Band” in the North American version of the film's credits (film).