International piping festival set to return to Glasgow

Glasgow's International Piping Festival, Piping Live, is returning to the city in August.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Apr 2016, 11:53 BST
Updated 27th Apr 2016, 12:57 BST

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Glasgow to host the biggest ever week of piping and traditional music from Piping Live Picture: Robert PerryGlasgow to host the biggest ever week of piping and traditional music from Piping Live Picture: Robert Perry
Glasgow to host the biggest ever week of piping and traditional music from Piping Live Picture: Robert Perry

The festival headliners will be unveiled today, for the world’s biggest week of piping, at the National Piping Centre.

Now in its 13th year, Piping Live! is expected to attract over 40,000 people from around the world, as well as over 5,000 international pipers to perform at 150 events across the city.

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Some of the biggest names in traditional music will be performing this year, including RURA, Anxo Lorenzo, Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton and the world famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

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Band performances will take place in George Square and on the steps of The Royal Concert Hall. The annual Pipe Idol competition and fan favourite, the International Quartets competition will return to the festival, while the Pipers Market’ will be back in George Square, providing the best fresh and local food and drink from across Scotland.

Roddy MacLeod, Festival Director of Piping Live!, said: “Bagpipes strike an emotional chord with people all over the world. There’s no other instrument that can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck quite like the pipes. From major historical events, to personal moments like weddings and graduations, to shared moments of triumph like the Commonwealth Games or a cup final – bagpipes have set the scene for so many powerful memories at home and throughout the world.

“This year’s line-up is all about celebrating the rich history and international diversity of the bagpipes while heralding the future with some of the most exciting new players in the traditional music scene.”

Ross Ainslie, performing at this year’s Piping Live!, said: “Piping has allowed me to travel all over the world and make a career out of something I love. Some of my earliest memories in piping were listening to Gordon Duncan’s “Just for Seumas” album on the way to practices with the the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band in Pitlochry and I’ve been completely inspired in the music since. Piping Live! is a great week for catching up with pals old and new.”

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Related topics:George Square