Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2013 | Page 112

ENTERTAINMENT

Kieron piping hot!
Kieron Cooney is a practicing GP at
St Helens Medical Centre. But when
he lays down his doctor’s bag and puts
away his stethoscope his passion for
bagpipe playing comes to life.
Kieron started piping as a young
boy, influenced by his father, an Irish
Guards drum major. Now a member
of the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band
in Portsmouth, Kieron is also an
accomplished medal winning solo
piper and has competed in Scotland
and at London contests.
In 2010 he decided to build on
his success and reach out to a larger
audience and so the unique and
exciting Island based Celtic Rock
group Wight Hot Pipes was born,
performing a unique blend of
contemporary and traditional style
music with vocals and bagpipes.
The music is aimed to appeal to
young and older audiences, from
traditional Scottish pieces such as
Highland Cathedral and Amazing
Grace to Status Quo and Snow Patrol.
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The band performs a high energy
stage show and in their kilted gothic
style costumes leave a memorable
impression on their audiences.
Wight Hot Pipes is a six-piece band
with lead singer Tori Blain; Chris
Austen on drums; Katie Wainwright
lead guitarist; Tony Blewett on
bass and Andrea Millband on keys.
With an invitation to perform on
the Beach Stage of the Isle of Wight
Festival in 2012 and at the Hausgaen
Celtic festival in France they have
earned their credentials as a respected
professional band.
The band plays a prominent role in
fundraising for the Earl Mountbatten
Hospice and with Kieron’s vision the
Island now has the annual Medina
Tattoo in Newport, a sell-out concert
featuring Wight Hot Pipes, Rose and
Thistle Pipe Band, Medina Marching
Band and a variety of entertainers.
With support from Robin Hill
managers, the Hospice fundraising
manager Karen Eeles and his wife

Vicky, Kieron has produced the
successful Island Highland Gathering,
which will be held again this year
on August 11. It is an authentic
style Highland Games with sword
dancers, caber-tossing events, piping
competitions and displays and this
year will feature the 42nd Highland
Regiment of Foot in all their regalia.
Wight Hot Pipes heads the main
stage entertainment and is a major
contributor to the success of these
events.
Wight Hot Pipes have just released a
new CD ‘Evolution’ named to reflect
the progressive change in the band’s
repertoire and style over the past few
years. It is available for download
on iTunes or from band members.
The band will be back at the Isle of
Wight Festival this year and at many
other venues throughout the summer.
Followers can keep up to date with
Kieron and the band at website www.
wighthotpipes.co.uk and on Facebook
and twitter.