‘Peatlemania’ will be in full flow this New Year on BBC ALBA with the popular band Peat & Diesel appearing as one of the headline acts on the channel’s Hogmanay Ceilidh programme, which will broadcast live from Motherwell.
The Stornoway-based band have taken the Highland music scene by storm this year after they went viral on facebook with their Hebridean themed songs and won the award for best Live Act at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019.
Peat & Diesel sold out their upcoming Barrowlands gig in January within hours, leading to a second date announced at the iconic Glasgow venue, as well as their 2020 UK and Ireland tours. A huge feat considering their grassroots origins playing in kitchens, barns and pubs on the Isle of Lewis just last year.
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2019 will be broadcast live from Motherwell Concert Hall in Lanarkshire, and hosted by popular BBC ALBA stalwarts Cathy Macdonald and Niall Iain Macdonald.
Motherwell’s name originates from an ancient water source in the area, ‘Tobar na Màthar’, which translated from Gaelic means the ‘Mother’s Well’.
Lanarkshire has strong links with Gaelic, including Gaelic-medium education provision from nursery all the way to secondary and the Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir is a regular winner at the Royal National Mod.
This year’s Hogmanay programme offers an array of stunning Gaelic singers and musicians providing ceilidh craic to take viewers and listeners through the bells and into 2020.
Also performing live on the night is Mànran, who celebrate 10 years together in 2020 and will be joined by singer – Kim Carnie in her first TV appearance as part of the band.
Other acts include the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, renowned Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart and Scotland’s first ever entry to a Eurovision content, the Alba Choir, conducted by BBC Weather presenter Joy Dunlop.
Hosts Cathy and Niall Iain are popular in Scottish broadcasting. Cathy presents the Royal National Mod coverage and hosts her own radio shows whilst Niall Iain this year presented live from the TRNSMT festival on BBC ALBA and live from Belladrum festival on both BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland on the same nights!
Niall Iain Macdonald said: “We are really looking forward to raising a glass at the bells with the BBC ALBA viewers and Radio nan Gàidheal listeners and bringing in the New Year in style.
“Cathy and I love being in amongst it all and it’s hard not to forget that we are there to work and just join in the dancing with everyone else.
“It’s going to be a great night in Motherwell and we can’t wait to get the ceilidh going.
“Tune in live to the ceilidh and raise a glass with us at the bells as we bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the New Year.”
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2019 airs on BBC ALBA on Tuesday, December 31 from 11.30pm to 1.30am, on Radio nan Gàidheal and is available on BBC iPlayer and worldwide via bbc.co.uk/alba
