Bagpipes are niche cool, the kind of popular that everyone likes, but usually in small amounts. I guess I know of a few people that truly hated bagpipes, but they are also the type to think “Toad in the Hole” is gourmet food, the Highland Games are stupid, and the only dog worth owning is a corgi. 

So, when we learned there was a bagpipe-enhanced rock and roll (cover?) band called Red Hot Chilli Pipers, we thought it had to potential to rock. The question on our minds was if this additional instrument would be memorable, fun, or more of a gimmick. 

The band came out playing in Kilts, a classy nod to the heritage of the instrument’s heritage. Surprisingly, the musicality surpassed our expectations. So much so, that I pulled out my phone and did some research. Four of the bandmates graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Not only that, but they have been touring the world since winning a U.K. Television music competition in 2007. They have released multiple albums, a DVD, and are popular band among celebrities to hire for their private parties. 

The group played a solid playlist of rock classics from AC/DC to Stevie Wonder, some mash-up style folk rock, original pieces, and even brought in locals Liberty High School Pipes and Drums for some collaborations. The guitarist, (Graham?) was a true professional and student of his craft. He dropped a host of face melting riffs all night. The snare drummer Tyler brought the energy, comedy, and a bit of showmanship to bring more than musicality to the performance. 

At one point they asked how many of the audience were at their performance last year. About 1/4 of the hands in the audience went up. That says a lot. 

The State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania is a great venue for this type of performance. The seating is such that everyone in the audience can see the stage without needing a megatron or binoculars, yet it was big enough to house the big sound of the group. I always recommend some ear plugs or cotton at louder concerts to protect one from hearing loss, and the deep bass made this a good choice. 

Bagpipes are cool, but I had not heard what that instrument could do until tonight. They sounded way more clear and crisp than the amateurs I have heard before. Perhaps the quality of the instruments contributed to that, maybe it was their unison and precision, it is hard to tell as I am not an expert on that instrument.

They partnered up with the high school for about a quarter of the performance, with dancers, a drum line, and more bagpipes. The quality took a hit as expected, but the joy of the students, parents, and the band was palpable. 

Overall, it was lots of fun and significantly better than expected! Some of their songs already made my playlists. 

So, if you don’t have some kingdom blood-feud against Scotland based on ancestral  land squabbles, check their tour dates, and enjoy the show! 

Be sure to check out the upcoming lineup of shows, concerts, and other performances at the State Theatre in Easton, there is always great entertainment coming here!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}