Skipinnish

Skipinnish bring their Highlands-and-Islands folk to The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on 4 December 2026. Formed in 1999 in the city by accordionist Angus MacPhail and piper Andrew Stevenson, the band has grown from a founding duo into a collective that welcomes singers and musicians from across the Scottish folk scene. Their core sound is anchored in accordion, Highland pipes, whistles and fiddle, with arrangements that keep a clear line to the ceilidh tradition and melodies shaped by the Hebrides.

On stage, Skipinnish balance chorus-led songs, mostly in English with a constant Gaelic thread, and driving instrumental sets built for dance. The music shifts between tight tune sets and broader, melodic writing, keeping the focus on ensemble interplay rather than solo showmanship. Their catalogue, from early recordings through The Seventh Wave and Steer by the Stars, feeds a live set that draws on tradition without freezing it in place. It’s a straightforward, high-energy folk sound with room for voices to rise and tunes to lift, carried by pipes and accordion up front and a rhythm that stays close to the floor.