On Monday 14th August, at 12noon, 150 pipers will gather, ranging from young learners playing their chanters, to seasoned professionals playing the pipes in their retirement. The Big Band will walk the streets of Glasgow performing 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. Past events welcomed musicians aged 8-86. 

For 2023 there is a new route for the Big Band. The muster point will be in Mansefield Park in Partick, where players will meet from 11.30am. Step off at 12noon will see the Big Band head along Dumbarton Road, on to Argyle Street and then finish on the concourse outside the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery, where there will be a salute to the Chieftain and then the band will disperse. 

This new route has been implemented as our usual dispersal area was unavailable this year. 

It is £15 to register to play with the band. This includes your Big Band t-shirt, and a donation to this year's nominated charity - Versus Arthritis. 

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 Versus Arthritis, a charity that was nominated by a Big Band member last year. 

Find out more and register here

The Venue

The centre serves as a national and international centre of excellence for the great Highland Bagpipe and its music.

The Street Cafe is just outside on McPhater Street, so join us there.