On Monday 12th August, at 12noon, 150 pipers and drummers 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 2024 the Big Band will follow the same route as in 2023. 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. 

It costs £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 Festival Site with the Centre Stage and Bothy Tent, as our food and drink tents will be on outside here on McPhater Street.

PLEASE BE AWARE

• You will need a Festival Site Day ticket (or Week Pass) to access the events from the 11th -15th of August e.g. you will need a Tuesday Festival Site ticket (or week pass) to access the Tuesday Lunchtime Recital and Learn@Live events. Please only purchase indoor events for the days you have a site ticket or pass for. 
• You DO NOT need a festival site pass for events on the 8th, 9th and 10th of August (eg. MacGregors Gathering events) 
• If you arrive at the Festival Site without a valid day/week entry ticket you will be required to buy one at the door.