Review: Red Hot Chilli Pipers
By Max Murray
On Sept. 29, the Ellen Eccles Theatre hosted one of the most unlikely rock shows Logan has seen: a fusion of bagpipes, kilts and rock anthems that all somehow worked. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers — yes, Pipers — brought their signature “bagrock” sound to a nearly sold-out crowd that could best be described as your mom and dad’s perfect date night. The audience was filled with middle-aged couples, grandparents and the occasional kid dragged along for “family culture night.”
The band, made up of Scottish rockers dressed head to toe in matching black jumpsuits and kilts, looked like Green Day goes Scottish. Long red socks, black and white Converse and bright red pouches, traditionally called a sporran, completed the look. The stage itself was simple: a traditional drum kit, guitars, bagpipes and a standing drummer who twirled his mallets dramatically between beats like a marching band showman. It was funny and over the top but never boring.
Before this show, I would’ve imagined bagpipes in a band to be like banana in a smoothie — “I added in all these other ingredients. Why do I only taste banana?” However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Pipers balanced the bagpipes fairly well with the rest of the instruments. The bagpipes were the melodic core of the performance, carrying a drone-style synth sound throughout songs and even replacing guitar solos entirely in some instances.
The Pipers played a variety of covers including songs from Stevie Wonder, Journey and Avicii. Most covers turned familiar favorites into something new — some songs were actually unrecognizable until the chorus came in, showing the band was more about reimagining songs than covering them.
Three songs in, there had still been no vocals, as everything was purely instrumental up to that point. That is, until the singer strutted on stage in a shiny, sparkly red shirt that could’ve doubled as a disco ball. The singer Chris Judge was notably impressive and received multiple ovations throughout the night. Between songs, he cracked family-friendly jokes and got the crowd involved, showing off the kind of stage presence usually found on cruise ships.
Judge also took a jab at the mainstream music industry, announcing their upcoming album would not be available on streaming platforms.
“They’ve had enough of our money, haven’t they?” Judge said, earning a mix of laughter and approving cheers from the crowd.
For an Eccles show, the audience was surprisingly active or at least trying to be. While it felt odd for everyone to stay seated during a rock concert, the Pipers encouraged sing-alongs, clapping and swaying, which people did with varying enthusiasm. One especially funny moment came when the band asked everyone to pull out their phone lights for a slow song. Within seconds, the theater transformed into a sea of home screens — dogs, grandchildren and family selfies shining brightly toward the audience as people struggled to figure out how to turn on their flashlights.
At one point, the band’s lead bagpiper caught his breath between songs and laughed, saying, “I absolutely love being in Utah — your mountains, views, all gorgeous… I will say… I definitely am feeling the difference of being so above sea level.” The crowd laughed, and the line only added to the sense that the group was genuinely enjoying themselves as much as the audience was.
The musical highlight came just before intermission, when the guitarist launched into a Jimi Hendrix-style rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” complete with a patriotic bagpipe harmony that led straight into AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock.” The majority of audience members stood with hands over their hearts, unsure whether to salute or rock out. It was funny, different and wholesome — a good overall snapshot of what the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are all about.
Despite the constant energy early on, the novelty of the bagpipes did begin to wear off after intermission. Even the band seemed aware of it, giving the pipes breaks so the guitars and drums could carry a few songs alone. The shift in sound was refreshing and reminded everyone just how musically skilled the rest of the performers were. The guitarist, in particular, stole several moments throughout the night with solos that would make any classic rock fan proud.
When the final bag was piped and the crowd rose for a standing ovation, it was clear the Red Hot Chilli Pipers had done something special by making bagpipes cool, if only for a night. Bagpipe-led rock music may sound like a gimmick, but surprisingly, the execution tells another story. The Pipers bring humor, talent and pure showmanship to the stage, turning what could be a bit into a genuinely impressive concert experience.
The night was ultimately a celebration of music as opposed to just bagpipes. Judging by the smiles, claps and glowing home screens, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers turned Logan’s quiet Monday night into something loud, proud and memorable.