TRUE NORTH STRONG was the title of the 2026 World’s Week concert given in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall by the world-famous Canadian pipe band, the 78th Fraser Highlanders.
Under the leadership of P/M Michael Grey and L/D Kyle Wardell the band delivered a feast of musical entertainment presented with a sense of pure theatre – themed, atmospheric and including a backing group, Highland dancers, two superb singers, as well as a full compliment of pipers and drummers.
The opener, ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, set the scene with an evocative song from Ashlyne MacDonald. Her voice was simply stunning. I could be mistaken, but I felt Appalachian influences in the melody. Midway through the pipe corps struck up with a resonant sound and continued to develop the melody with sympathetic percussion from the drummers.
I must mention bass drummer Matt Bellia. The tone he produces is one of the best I have heard in years. It took me back to Strathclyde Police band and our Jimmy McGeachy who delivered an all enveloping bass sound – as Matt did last night.
P/M Grey is an innovative musician and as the evening progressed, he presented a variety of highly original selections. A unique piece I haven’t heard in years, first played by the great Irish trad band Patrick Street, ‘Music for a Found Harmonium’, was very impressive.
There was a suite titled ‘The Legend of the Flying Canoe’, a stylish French-Canadian selection of tunes telling the story of Canadian lumberjacks returning to their loved ones on New Year’s Eve.
As the band performed several French named pieces, all new to me, the Highland dance troupe expertly choreographed the various themes.
Traditional pipe band music was embedded throughout the concert, and included one of the band’s competition medleys and an MSR, both sets presented with confident musical flair. I enjoyed the set of 6/8s, full of lift, up tempo and swinging.
Solo spots by some of the pipers again showcased the high standard of musicianship that this band has within its ranks. I was particularly impressed with the harmonics of Ian K MacDonald’s bagpipe.
The highlight of the evening for me was the piece entitled ‘Gratitude’ which opened the second half. Michael is steeped in Gaelic culture and arranged this piece of music from the plain chant of the Gaelic Psalm. In the programme he says it was ‘inspired by Martyrs’.
It included an introductory Gaelic song followed by the full pipe corps with harmonies, half notes, slur movements, sustained notes, all carefully arranged to achieve the full effect of this haunting style of music. I had hoped they would play it again in the encore, but that was not to be.
The concert ended with a driving selection of jigs with the dancers adding to an exciting finale. A musical journey from start to finish and I congratulate the band and the full ensemble for a great night’s entertainment.
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