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The legend

All magical creatures, such as witches, elves, demons…have always searched for suitable places to carry out their magical arts. To see without being seen, to surprise without being surprised, black magic, giving the evil eye, covens or any other forbidden acts. All such arts require places in which human presence is absent, where villages and towns are sparse. Thus, these creatures have always tended to shelter in the deep of the forest, within any of the old North Western European forests which are covered in fog many hours a day.
Galicia is the quintessential land of sorcery. The Galician mouros and mouras, mythical dwellers of forts and treasure gatherers; the fadas, fairies that, on the days of rough weather and storm, fatally attract the ships to the rocky seashore of A Costa da Morte (The Coast of Death) with their singing. Bruxas and Meigas, Galician witches and female wizards known for organising covens in the glades of the forest and also responsible for causing individual and collective misfortune to the good folk by means of their dark arts. Elfos and trasgos (elves and gnomes) many times accused of mere mischief and apparitions but also pointed out as adulterous culprits of pregnancies of many lasses who claimed to have been assaulted by them on isolated paths.

The Demo, Lucifer that many have said to have encountered amongst the mist (there is a tale of a peasant who was found by a neighbour at dawn, having his cape stuck in a bramble. The peasant was petrified, completely terrorized and, when the neighbour asked him about his situation, the peasant just made use of his last breath, before dying of fear, to tell how the Demo had kept him prisoner all night long trapping his cape with his claws). The lobishomes, the Galician name for werewolves: men during the day to become werewolves at night. And La Santa Compaña (The Holy Company), the nocturnal procession of souls in sorrow roaming the forests while ringing their small bells, trying to catch  someone unawares and force that person to join the Company in its eternal pitiful ramble.

Galicians, as any other inhabitants of this world, are people whose collective character has been largely influenced by the land in which they live: the mist and the rain have modelled a reserved and conservative character, easily tending to melancholy and with a trademark resigned pessimism; the greenness of the abundant paddocks and the charm of the rías (Galician sea inlets present all along the coast) have originated one of the most lovable accents with which pronounce any language; its closeness to so many magical creatures in which, of course, no one believes but that everyone knows that are out there, have shaped a superstitious character in which individuals have been looking for different means to counteract the magical threats that have been constantly hanging over their heads. Traditionally women in these lands have searched for shelter in religious beliefs, giving themselves to all Christian Saints to chase away evil ghosts, although this was not always the most practical solution to the perils they encounter daily. Hence, other simpler remedies had to be found to shoo away such evil creatures. But, were they to shoo away evil creatures or their own fears? In any case it is said that the sound of the knife-grinder’s whistle is an effective way to shoo away the dark creatures dwelling in the forests of Ourense. It is also said that the sound of bagpipes scares the evil ghosts (this must be true since everywhere else where magical creatures are supposed to dwell – Ireland, Scotland, Asturias… – bagpipes are a traditional instrument). Another remedy is the queimada, a magical -and alcoholic- beverage that after having been conjured and drunk abundantly – the latter is very important – protects anyone from all manners of evil apparitions. Of course, the LUME DE BIQUEIRA, the fire of the toe: sparks generated when the ironworks reinforcing the toes of the old rural clogs where hit against the rocks in rural paths.

The passage of an old tale says (in Galician):

…and hearing far away the sound of the bagpipes, the lads were coming back by the paths making sparks with the ironwork of their clogs against the stones on the path to shoo away goblins, witches, wizards and other demons”

Fernando Molpeceres

Who we are

Lume de Biqueira Pipe Band is the artistic expression of the Not-For-Profit Association Albedro, developed to teach and spread Celtic-rooted music and, particularly, traditional Galician music.
The Galician Centre of Madrid saw the birth of the Band back in 1998. By then, a reduced group of pipers and percussionists set the foundations of what today has become one of the most solid performing band and learning school in Spain, bases on its quality, number of performances and the range and originality of its repertory.
After performing at a local level during the band’s first years, the whole band members’ enthusiasm and devotion finally led to the band’s take-off and their first major gigs and success: Dublin’s Saint Patrick’s Festival in 2003, 2004 and 2010 (Best Overall Band 2003, Spirit of Parade 2004, Best Adult Band 2010); Bézier’s Festival (France, 2002); Montbison’s Festival (France, 2003); Agrigento’s Festival (Sicily, Italy, 2010); performing with The Chieftains (Valladolid, Spain, 2005); SaulelèRaudona (Lituania, 2016);The Filets Bleu Festival (Concarneau, France, 2016); Interceltic Festival of Lorient (France, 2016);The Belfast Tattoo (Northern Ireland, 2014 and 2017); The Glasgow Tattoo (Scotland, 2017); performing with Carlos Núñez in numerous occasions … apart from festivals, the band has been required to perform for various official authorities or figures, such as:  Their Majesties the Monarchs of Spain, The Pope John Paul II and various Spanish ministers and  mayors…In addition to the above, the band has also performed on TV, most remarkably in a tribute to internationally renowned Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.   Also, the band featured in Milos Forman’s film Goya’s Ghosts (2008) as a Scottish pipe band.
Lume de Biqueira Pipe Band has been the first pipe band at participating in the solemn processions of the Semana Santa in Andalucía (the Andalusian Easter feast): in 2006 the band was invited to participate in the Madrugá of Antequera.

Lume de Biqueira

As a non-profesional band its composition is very diverse, workers and students, as many women as men and all age ranges are present, but with a common and unconditional love for music.
It is fair to stand out the educational activity we carry out by means of bagpipe and percussion lessons. From this breeding ground many musicians have arisen to participate actively in public performances and concerts.
Within the teaching activities, our teachers carry out talks, conferences and educational activities in music conservatories, cultural associations and schools.
Last but not least, it is just fair to mention that responsible for the band’s success is his director Darío Nogueira, bagpipe master educated at the “Real Banda de Gaitas de la Diputación de Orense” (The Royal Pipe Band of the Orense Council). His musical and instrumental skills, his contagious confidence, his directive style and love for improvisation and his close and friendly relationship with the other band members have been instrumental to achieve the goals set by the band.

  • 3

    2023

    • International Pipe Band Festival “Villa de Gijón” (Gijón, Asturias, Spain 2023).
    • International Celtic Music Festival (Alcalá de Henares, Spain, 2023).
    • Mictlán International Festival (Puebla, Mexico, 2023).
    • 25th Anniversary Concert (Teatro Barceló, Madrid, Spain, 2023).
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    2022

    • Concert at the Segontia Folk Festival. Sigüenza. March 2022.
    • Participation in the parade of Galician pipe bands in the Community of Madrid as part of Xacobeo21-22. April 2022 .
    • Participation in the parade at the festival of the Burial of the Sardine. Murcia. April 2022.
    • Inauguration of the Aluche festivities. Madrid. May 2022.
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    2021

    • Parade and concert. Marcilla, Navarra, May 2021.
    • Meeting of Galician folklore groups in Madrid. June 2021.
    • Concert at the Folk Segovia festival. Segovia. July 2021.
    • Concert “Otoño Xacobeo” Madrid. October 2021.
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    2020

    • Three Kings Parade Boadilla del Monte, Madrid January 2020.
    • Guadalajara Concert. Theatre – Auditorio Buero Vallejo January 2020.
    • Fernando Molpeceres in “El gaiteiro de la catedral” July 2020. Ourense Cathedral.
    • Concert at the Magicéltica Festival. Entrevías. October 2020
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    2019

    • Parades, choreographies, dance and carnival parade carnaband’s show and carnival Chalon-sur-Saône. Burgundy (France) February 2019.
    • Parade and concert at the San Isidro festivities. Madrid, May 2019.concert at Festimalabar. Pinto. Madrid June 2019
    • Parade celebrating Galicia Day in the Almudena Cathedral and streets of Madrid July 2019.
    • Participation in the Avilés Intercélticu Festival July 2019.
    • Concert at the Magicéltica Festival. Vallecas. Madrid October 2019.
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    2018

    • 20th Anniversary Concert “Fuego Celta”. Sala La Riviera (Madrid, October 2018).
    • China International Wind Music Festival (People’s Republic of China, Beijing and Dalian, August 2018).
    • Inauguration of the Fiestas de Aluche, Madrid, May 2018.
    • Madrid Carnival Parade 2018.
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    2017

    • The Belfast Tattoo (Belfast, Northern Ireland).
    • The Glasgow Tattoo (Glasgow, Scotland).
    • Carnival Parade (Madrid, Spain).
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    2016

    • Lorient Interceltic Festival (Lorient, France).
    • The Filets Bleu Festival (Concarneau, France).
    • SaulelèRaudona (Lituania).
    • Folk Segovia (Segovia, Spain).
  • 3

    2014

    The Belfast Tattoo (Belfast, Northern Ireland).

  • 3

    2013

    Galician Christmast Festival (Madrid, Spain).

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    2012

    • Madrid’s The Three Wise Men Great Parade (Madrid, Spain).
    • Folk Segovia (Segovia, Spain).
  • 3

    2011

    • Carnival parade (Madrid, Spain).
    • Solsticio Folk (Guadalajara, Spain. Sharing the bill with Gaelic Storm).
    • William Kennedy Piping Festival (Armagh, Northern Ireland.Sharing the bill with Lúnasa, Liam O’Flynn, Anxo Lorenzo Band, etc).
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    2010

    • Agrigento’s Festival (Sicily, Italy).
    • Saint Patrick’s Festival (Dublin, Ireland. The band was awarded with “Best Adult Band” prize).
  • 3

    2009

    • Internation Folk Festival of Getxo (Vizcaya, Spain).
    • International Folk Festival (Granada, Spain).
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    2008

    Algeciras Festival (Cádiz, Spain).

  • 3

    2007

    Alcázar Theater of Madrid. Presentation of band’s new album “Mañana Más” (Madrid, Spain).

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    2006

    “Madrugá de Antequera”, Antequera (Málaga, Spain). First band participating in the solemn Andalusian Eastern celebrations (Semana Santa).

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    2005

    • Shooting of American/Spanish film “Los Fantasmas de Goya”(Goya’s Ghosts) by Milos Forman. Featuring in as the Scottish Army’s pipe band.
    • Performance with Carlos Núñez and The Chieftains (Valladolid, Spain).
    • 2 shows performing together with Carlos Núñez at Albéniz Theater of Madrid (Madrid, Spain).
  • 3

    2004

    • Saint Patrick’s Festival (Dublin, Ireland. Lume De Biqueira was awarded with the “Spirit of Parade” prize).
    • Performance with Carlos Núñez at the gala dinner “Me Olvidé de Vivir” presided over Their Royal Majesties of Spain.
  • 3

    2003

    • Foire de Montbrison (Montbrison, France).
    • Reception for His Holiness The Pope John Paul II in his fifth visit to Spain (Madrid, Spain).
    • Performances with Carlos Núñez in Villalba and Rivas Vaciamadrid (Madrid region, Spain).
    • Cuenca City Celtic Music Festival (Cuenca, Spain. Sharing the stage with bands Luar Na Lubre and Hevia).
    • Saint Patrick’s Festival (Dublin, Ireland. Lume De Biqueira was awarded with the “Best Overall Band” prize in the parade).
  • 3

    2002

    • Bèziers’ Festival (Bèziers, France).
    • European Day of Music (Madrid, Spain).
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    2000

    • Bertin Osbornes’s tribute on A3 TV channel.
    • Julio Iglesias’ tribute on A3 TV channel at the TV show “Sabor a ti”.
  • 3

    1999

    Madrid’s The Three Wise Men Great Parade (Madrid, Spain).