Winter Storm Weekend 2024 – The Pipes and Drums Event – is all over now but it has left us with a classic concert recording available online.
The concert was opened by Fred Morrison giving a blistering set of tunes on Highland pipes, and goes on to feature many top pipers giving short solo sets. These solo pipers – Roddy MacLeod, Jack Lee, Willie McCallum, Stuart Liddell and Callum Beaumont all combine in one piobaireachd performance, backed by Craig Muirhead on keyboards and Matt MacIsaac on whistle and guitar, and give a rendition of The Desperate Battle of the Birds which is simply stunning!
There are plenty more highlights in the concert and features a drummers’ showcase featuring J Reid Maxwell and Stephen Creighton and piping from Stuart Liddell. Fred Morrison comes back on to bring the concert to a close with a longer set featuring his well known Kansas City Hornpipe, and promises a surprise to finish the evening. That surprise is the ensemble cast of pipers and drummers giving a rousing version of The Bloody Fields of Flanders.
The Winter Storm competitions and concert were live streamed by The Pipers Dojo University’s and is free to watch on Facebook here. Although it is free to watch the organisers, MidWest Highland Arts Fund, are asking for donations to support the livestream costs. Donations can be made through this facebook page here.