Beinn Lee elated to be back on stage at Ceòlas.
Abigail Taylor
Beinn Lee delighted the socially-distanced audience in Southend Hall on Wednesday night (7th July 2021) in what is believed to be one of the first live music events in the islands, with an audience, since the onset of COVID-19.
Ceòlas was forced to cancel its annual summer school and associated events last summer, but has delivered a week of virtual tuition and concerts, plus two live events, a piping recital and the show with Beinn Lee.
Close to 100 students have signed up for online classes this year in song, fiddle, piping, dance and Gaelic.
South Uist singer and special guest, Mairi MacMillan, performed first with the musicians from Beinn Lee to launch her debut album, ‘Gu Deas’.
Beinn Lee is a six-piece band featuring Micheal Steele, Pàdruig Morrison, Mairi Therese Gilfedder, James Stewart, Anna Black, and Seoras Lewis.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was limited capacity and physical distancing was observed by the audience.
Speaking with Am Paipear after the show, accordionist Pàdruig said: “It was great, it was really nice actually. Especially when we were playing with Mairi at the start, it was so good to just enjoy it with the audience. Nothing beats being back and playing in front of a local crowd.”
“Playing live just gives a different perspective to the music,” continued Pàdruig.
“We get so much more response from an audience, for example when playing ceilidhs or weddings and having people up dancing and singing along is so much better than playing online or virtually.”
Dancing was not allowed at the event which was “really missed” by the musicians.
Pàdruig said: “I know there were dancers in the audience and they would have been up on their feet from start to finish and it’s a shame to miss that but hopefully it’s not too much longer until we are back to our best.”
As restrictions are easing more events are expected to be going ahead although some gigs are still being cancelled for the band.
Micheal Steele, who plays the pipes and flute, explained: “Unfortunately some gigs are still being cancelled for us. We’ve just had a festival cancelled in Dunnet which was meant to be in September.
“It’s hard as there are still those barriers being put in front of us and disappointments are still coming up in the road but we are glad to be playing weddings and small gigs like this to be back in front of people again.”
Rescheduled weddings are providing the upcoming gigs that the band have booked in, and those are coming in thick and fast.
Some of the band members appreciated having time off during lockdown to spend at home and on the croft, although, Pàdruig said: “Playing live again really shows you how much you miss it, especially playing at home.”
“We just want to say a massive thank you to Ceòlas for pulling this off, for asking us and for organising this event given the circumstances, so a big well done to them for making the opportunity happen.”
