Piping Live! Big Band set to return for 2022

The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its 5th showcase at this year's festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event.

Article Source: Piping Live!
Last Updated: 17 June 2022 11:34

On Monday 8th August 150 pipers will gather, ranging from little learners playing their chanters to seasoned professionals playing the pipes in their retirement. The bespoke big band will walk the streets of Glasgow as they perform a repertoire of tunes that everyone can play.

The Piping Live! Big Band is open to anyone who plays a practice chanter, bagpipes, snare, bass or tenor drum, or is a drum major! All ages are welcome, with past events welcoming people aged 8-86. Players can sign up to be part of the Piping Live! Big Band at www.pipinglive.co.uk

The Big Band is a way of bringing pipers who are not otherwise taking part in the festival together and lets them be a part of the prestigious Piping Live! line-up. Leading the parade this year will be Piping Live! Artistic Director and the Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre, Finlay MacDonald, as well as some of the National Piping Centre’s world-renowned teaching team.

The Piping Live! Big Band will set off from Blythswood Square at 12noon and make its way to George Square via West George Street. The event will last for around an hour.

This year will be the first Big Band event since 2019, due to the covid restrictions that were in place in 2020 and 2021. However, now with the festival back to its full in-person offering, organisers can’t wait to welcome everyone back to take part in this fantastic event.

Finlay MacDonald, Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre, said: “The Piping Live! Big Band is such a special moment for me at each year’s festival. I have really missed it these last two years as I love seeing all the age ranges and abilities come together to perform and collaborate. As a player and a teacher, events such as this that bring everyone together because of their love of piping are heart-warming. I’ll be leading the 150-strong band with so much pride this August.”

Since its inception in 2016, the Piping Live! Big Band has worked in partnership with a chosen charity and this year the festival is delighted to be working with Beatson Cancer Charity. Everyone who registers to be part of the big band will make a donation as the majority of the entry fee is donated, aside from the cost to cover the very eye-catching event t-shirt! On the Piping Live! website there is also QR code and link to donate specifically from this event if individuals would like to contribute more.

Beatson Cancer Charity’s aim is to try and ensure no-one faces cancer on their own. Over 14,000 patients have received therapies at the Wellbeing Centre Beatson Cancer Charity. The Beatson is an internationally renowned cancer centre and the busiest in the UK in terms of clinical activity and patient numbers as well as being the second largest cancer centre in the UK delivering all of the radiotherapy and much of the chemotherapy to the population of the West of Scotland, with a catchment area of 2.5 million people, which is around 60% of Scotland’s population. Each year The Beatson sees more than 8,000 new patients and delivers more than 25,000 courses of chemotherapy and 6,500 courses of radiotherapy.

Charlene Low, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are so grateful for the fantastic support we’ve received from The National Piping Centre. It always inspires us when our supporters come up with new fundraising ideas that haven’t been done before, and that’s why we’re particularly excited about working with The National Piping Centre on this event. We can’t wait to watch a sea of yellow marching in August and we hope everyone gets behind the organisation to support them.”

The Big Band will officially launch the Piping live! pipe band performances that will be taking place in Glasgow city centre this summer. Between Monday 8th – Thursday 11th August the festival’s flagship pipe band performances will take over Buchanan Street at 12noon each day as some of the best pipe bands in the country showcase their talents on this iconic street.

Piping Live! will celebrate its 20th event this summer with a calendar of in-person and virtual events taking place in Glasgow from Saturday 6th - Sunday 14th August.

Annually the festival typically attracts over 30,000 attendees to Glasgow, and the line-up this year includes world-class performances, music sessions, recitals, talks, competitions, book launches, workshops and so much more.

The world’s biggest piping festival celebrates its return to in-person events for the first time since 2019, offering a blended showcase of in-person gigs and online events, so both local and international audiences can enjoy the array of world-class performances. Virtual audiences from around the world can enjoy around 40 hours of live stream content which is all included in one Livestream Festival Pass. Content that will be included in this online festival pass will include The Silver Chanter, The Masters Solo Piping Competition, the Lowland & Borders Pipers' Society Showcase, The Pipe Idol Final, The Gordon Duncan Memorial Competition and the closing concert with Fred Morrison and Paddy Keenan. Several daytime events and the Learn at Live! workshops will also be streamed.

More information and tickets for all events taking place at Piping Live! 2022 are available at www.pipinglive.co.uk

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

16.5 million visits make 2025 best year yet for Silverburn

Silverburn has welcomed a record 16.5 million visits over the past year, marking 2025 as its busiest year to date and underlining its status as Scotland's leading shopping and leisure destination.

Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters

Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.

Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!

Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi

Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.

Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!

Glasgow Film Festival 2026 to open with UK Premiere of Everybody To Kenmure Street

A documentary about one of Scotland's most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory will open Glasgow Film Festival's 22nd edition on 25th February!

Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club

If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!

Calling all Gingers!

The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a bonus ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 11th January!

Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026

The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.

Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot

Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!

Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026

Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!

Full casting announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical

Full casting has been announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical which will have its Scottish premiere at The King's Theatre Glasgow in April!

Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.

Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary

Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.

Silverburn expands leisure offering with new Pilates studio

Silverburn guests can kick-start their 2026 wellness journey with the arrival of the first Haus of Pilates studio.

Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot

Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!

Christmas has come early! Glasgow youngster wins the entire DreamToys list in national competition

One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.

Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year

Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!

The River Inn launches dream wedding reception giveaway worth thousands

One lucky couple to win a luxury wedding reception for up to 100 guests... completely free!

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong crashes into the Kings Theatre Glasgow

Multi-award winning company Mischief return to the King's Theatre Glasgow with their new stage show – Christmas Carol Goes Wrong!

Christmas drawing by 11 year old Glasgow schoolgirl lights up the city

An 11-year-old Glasgow schoolgirl has seen her Christmas drawing light up the city after it was transformed into a glowing display as part of this year’s festive light trail.

Scottish Doctor Who actor to lead The Woman in Black at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, as it returns to the Theatre Royal Glasgow.

Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow

The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.

Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas

Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!

Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative

Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026

The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.

Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn

Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.

90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls

Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!