The Pict’s Biography: 2005

Formed in February 1997, The Picts have quickly become one of the most popular live bands on the folk rock and concert scene. They have reached out with their unique brand of Celtic Rock and captivated hundreds of audiences both at home and abroad. There is a considerable influence of original material combined with the traditional. The sets are upbeat and irresistible for dancing. The songs (both original and traditional) are powerful and rocky, yet retain their original sentiment, feeling and intimacy.

The story so far...

These days the band are never far from the limelight. In 1997/98 they headlined the Hogmanay bash at George Square, Glasgow in front of 40,000 people. In July 2004 they played at Scotland's biggest music festival ‘T in the Park’ for the eighth consecutive year. They have appeared twice at the famous Interceltique Festival in Lorient, Brittany to great acclaim from the French press and enthusiastic appreciation from the audiences. This led to a considerable amount of interest in the band throughout Europe. Amongst countless Festivals, concerts and ceilidhs they played at the James Bond Ball in Aberdeen (Britain’s biggest ever student event) for two years running, headlined the Celtic Stage of the Stirling Millenium Hogmanay celebrations, took part in the Gael 2000 concert in Coventry with comedian Roy Walker and returned to France to headline ‘Celtifolies’ the first ever Celtic Festival in Lyon. More recently the band have had a number of sell out concerts in Glasgow’s Cottier Theatre and played at the  wedding of Dougie Payne (Travis) and Kelly MacDonald (Trainspotting). Among their many radio interviews  and appearances The Picts were on BBC Radio Scotland’s program ‘The Lemontree’ bringing their music to a wider audience and they took part in BBC Radio nan Gaidheal’s live broadcast ‘Tiompan’ for BBC music  live. The Picts have also played live on breakfast TV and appeared on a live Millenium Hogmanay show for LTV. In October 2000 they were filmed for a Gaelic music program ‘@ Ire’ for the BBC which was televised in May 2001.

Discography....

At present the band have two CDs available. The first is their highly acclaimed album ‘The Island’ and the second is their latest and equally acclaimed album ‘Moving Sands’ released in July 2002. Both albums are available from most major outlets and are enjoying extensive radio air play, brilliant reviews and helping to increase the bands ever growing following at home and abroad. Both albums have been used by BBC Scotland for Gaelic television programmes and 45,600
copies of ‘The Island’s‘ opening track ‘The Peak’ was put on a new French compilation CD. Recently the  band have been the subject of great interest in Argentina and as a result all the songs from the albums have been translated into Spanish!
Plans for a third album are indeed in the ‘pipeline ‘.

“In the end we always have a lot of fun and this comes through in our playing. The more we enjoy ourselves the more our audiences will.”