A NEW BBC programme will document the rise of Peat & Diesel, a band from the Western Isles who found nationwide success after going viral on Facebook.
The programme, to air on BBC Alba at 9pm on Friday, follows their unlikely, meteoric rise to fame from playing in their front rooms and Stornoway’s Lewis Bar to selling out a UK tour.
Viewers will be able to get an exclusive insight into the lives of fisherman Calum “Boydie” Macleod, delivery driver Uilleam “Uilly” Macleod and electrician Innes Scott, which have become increasingly hectic as “Peatlemania” has spread across the UK. The unlikely trio – a toothless frontman, a drummer, and an accordion player – who sing about life in the Western Isles, wild parties on the moors and crofting, say that they’ve hardly had time to enjoy their newfound fame because they have been so busy since.
However, that’s all changed now because they, like everyone else, have been caught up in the coronavirus crisis. Before the pandemic, Peat & Diesel had almost sold out tickets for an Irish tour, as well as several summer festivals and an end-of-year tour to look forward to. Now most of their gigs have been cancelled, and it remains to be seen whether they can pick up where they left off.
“I don’t think the band will lose momentum,” said Scott. “We’re a bit behind with making videos and this will be time to recharge.”
Just before the lockdown Peat & Diesel explained to fans on their Facebook page why they hadn’t been playing gigs online, like so many other bands have during the lockdown.
The comment read: “We are all facing difficult times ahead with self-isolation and social distancing happening all around us which MUST be taken very serious!
“Musicians are playing tunes online to cheer people up and we just want to say the reason we haven’t is due to Boydie being at sea gathering his thoughts, and without Boydie there is no Peat & Diesel We met up quickly tonight and it will be the last time we probably get together until this all blows over and we will be back to give it laldy!”
However, on Friday, the band met up to test a streaming service, only to end up playing to an online audience of more than 1000 people.
The group’s documentary will be followed on BBC Alba at 10.30pm by From The Barrow to the Barrowlands, which shows musical highlights from one of the band’s biggest gigs yet at the iconic Glasgow music venue.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here