Scotland favourite sons, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers blew the roof off a Queenstown Memorial Hall packed with 400 party people on Sunday night.
The nine-strong troupe delivered a bagpipe-wailing, drum-pounding, hand-clapping and foot-stomping two-hour set with an infectious joy, polished showmanship and a cheeky sense of humour.
The ensemble of three pipers, lead guitar player, bass guitar player, keyboard player and three drummer-percussionists gave their renditions of such rock hits as Let Me Entertain You, Baba O'Riley, You're the Voice and Rockin' All Over the World, along with energetic detours into calypso and reggae.
Tears welled in several pairs of eyes and women hugged when the band started Chasing Cars, but as the Snow Patrol hit built to a crescendo, so did the mosh pit, led by the bouncing pipers.
Patrons queued from the box office, out the doors and around to almost the back of the hall to get in.
Although chairs were set out, the audience of all ages were soon on their feet and on the dance floor.
Old country residents, visitors and descendants especially made the night their own, with several wearing tartan, waving the cross of St Andrew flag and getting into the celebratory spirit.
Band leader and co-founder Kevin "Big Mac" MacDonald commiserated with Scotland's Rugby World Cup supporters, after the team's close loss to ancient rival England in Auckland.
The piper also thanked everyone associated with the memorial hall for providing the venue at the eleventh hour.
"We were supposed to be playing Revolver, but some idiot banned us from playing there," he said.
The band played in Christchurch yesterday and continue their debut New Zealand tour in Hamilton tomorrow, Hastings on Friday and Wellington on Saturday.
