A musician well-known on the Forres circuit will play the best of the ‘wurst’ as he adds a German beer festival twist to his accordion set.
Graeme Mackay, an accordionist with Tweed, was due to play a gig with the band in the Mosset Tavern on Friday, but had to cancel due to the Covid-19 measures.
And now, in a bizarre twist of lockdown craziness, his online show ‘The Ceilidh Cabin’ is reaching more than 100,000 people in the far corners of the world.
And with news just in today that the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich has been cancelled, Graeme’s ‘Loktoberfest’ will definitely be going ahead this week.
Graeme said: “I’ve been requested a lot for German drinking songs as people tend to associate the accordion with it. I’ve had a couple of theme nights now and it seems to be popular.
International flavour
“We also tour Germany a fair bit and I have a close affinity with their culture through my experience. I play a German instrument, speak a bit of the language.
“My shows are going out at an international level, it isn’t just locals who are tuning in. I regularly have Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, one chap was even an ex-pat living in Mongolia!
“There are even suggestions of a Ceilidh Cabin World Tour once we can move again!”
Following a couple of live shows from his summer house in the back garden, Graeme started a Facebook page and website calling it ‘The Ceilidh Cabin’. He now does regular shows with themes like ‘well-dressed Saturdays’ and a ‘Jimmy Shand Special’, the latter of which has already inspired an album.
Fantastic atmosphere
Graeme added: “As Tweed, we play in the Mosset Tavern on a regular basis, the crowd are always up for a good time and it is a fantastic atmosphere.
“I grew up going to the Forres Accordion and Fiddle Club and we have attended a lot of the events in Forres like the European Pipe Band Championships.
“The online concerts have attracted interest all over the world and have reached 160,000 people and gathered more than 2000 followers in just a few weeks.
People enjoying the concerts have also given generously to help Graeme through this tough economical time.
Graeme’s ‘Loktoberfest’ will go live at 3pm UK time on 25 April and will be an online celebration of all things related to German beer and food. Sing-songs will be arranged and local pubs who are doing deliveries are being welcomed take part and supply what is necessary for folk to have a bit of fun on a Saturday afternoon during the lockdown.
Follow The Ceilidh Cabin on Facebook
