Over 16,000 pipers and performers, along with 50,000 visitors from sixteen different countries, will descend on Glasgow during the week of 10th – 16th August for two of the most important events in the traditional music calendar; Piping Live! - the Glasgow International Piping Festival - and The World Pipe Band Championships.
Both events are bigger and better this year and are being supported by Homecoming Scotland 2009 as many pipers and visitors from as far afield as Canada, Pakistan and New Zealand prepare to return to Scotland during this special year of celebration.
Glasgow has long been one of the UK’s premier music destinations, as recently confirmed with the city being awarded UNESCO City of Music status but Piping Live! and The Worlds’ are still real highlights.
Now in its sixth year, Piping Live! is a week-long festival packed with events taking place at venues across the city, as well as free concerts and displays in George Square daily – including a special Homecoming Scotland “Music of the Clans” presentation.
Piping Live will open with a bang with the platinum selling Red Hot Chilli Pipers performing at the opening night concert along with Bodega.
Says Roddy McLeod, Director of Piping Live! “Glasgow is a hub of musical talent and Piping Live! is a great opportunity to experience the best names in traditional music and everything from the pipes to fiddles to a bit of rock ‘n’ roll and dancing. I would encourage people from across the UK to come and enjoy a couple of days at both events and to take advantage of the free events in George Square daily which make a great day out during the summer holidays”.
'The festival leads up to the amazing spectacle that is the World Pipe Band Championships, organised by Culture and Sport Glasgow on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), at Glasgow Green on Saturday 15th August. ‘The Worlds’ have been associated with Glasgow since 1948 and this year’s event will see more than 8,000 pipers and drummers from as far afield as Australia, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Pakistan and the USA competing for the coveted title of World Champions 2009.
Ian Embelton, the Chief Executive of the RSPBA, said: "There's little that can match the sight and sound of 8,000 pipers and drummers assembled on Glasgow Green as they battle it out to be crowned world champions. We have no doubt that this year the competition will be fierce and the entertainment spectacular."
The now legendary After Worlds Shindig on Saturday 15th August will take place at the Old Fruitmarket and is the perfect after-show party following the World Pipe Band Championships. Prepare to dance your socks off to the Peatbog Faeries, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson, The Finlay MacDonald Band and Skerryvore.
