Pipe band’s star turn in Glasgow
INVERARAY takes Glasgow by storm for Celtic Connections.
THERE was a buzz of anticipation as the audience - largely from Argyll - gathered in the foyer of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Inveraray and District Pipe Band was playing as part of Celtic Connections and there was a real sense of pride.
First to take the stage at the afternoon concert on Saturday January 28 was Bagad Kemper, one of the oldest Breton pipe bands.
At times the sound levels weren’t quite right and the bombard - an oboe-like instrument - sometimes drowned out the singers. But that did not stop this award-winning band from giving it their all.
Enthusiasm
They performed with great enthusiasm and singing collaborators Marthe Vassallo and Sylvain Girault were determined to get the audience to join in.
Then, with great excitement, Inveraray born and bred fear an tigh James Beaton introduced Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
Teasing the audience, band members took their time coming on but, after a second introduction and as encouraging cheers of
‘Inverara’!’ ran round the crowd, they finally took to the stage, making their presence known with an atmospheric drone from the pipes.
The band entertained with full band arrangements, solos, small ensembles and, on occasion, accompaniment from a guitar, keyboard, double bass and mandolin.
Introducing a set of 2/4 marches - Carradale Bay and Father
John McMillan - Pipe Major Stuart Liddell joked with the audience: ‘If you would like to take your partners for a Canadian barn dance’ and you could see many itching to - if only there had been space.
Band members were almost dancing along as they got in the swing of things and seemed completely unfazed, showing exactly why they are the reigning pipe band champion of champions.
With neon green sticks, it was hard not to notice the mesmerising flourishes from the tenor drum players and you could not help but join in with the rhythmic head bobbing the snare drum players and bass drum player Mark Stark were demonstrating.
Alasdair Henderson’s slight tuning issues provided a little comedy as he disappeared off stage before his solo, leaving Stuart Liddell to ask if there were any requests from the audience and a sudden change to the set list had members who had snuck off rushing back on stage to join in.
Rounding off its performance with its
Thunderhead set of 9/8 jigs, the audience was clapping along and dancing in their seats and after taking a bow the band began to make its exit.
But before they all made it off stage, James Beaton was asking the audience if they would like to hear more.
The crowd cheered and the band was quick to turn on its heels, much to the audience’s delight.
The drums began, the pipes gradually joined in before the accompaniment added to the crescendo of instruments for an effortless encore of Mason’s Apron and Skye.