On November 12, 2025, members from Eastern District Pipe Bands were amongst the 374 bagpipers that gathered at Melbourne’s Federation Square to smash the world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble. Playing AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll),” they honored the 1976 music video, surpassing the previous 2012 record of 333 players.
Key Facts About The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash 2025:
- The Record: 374 official pipers participated, exceeding the 350-player goal.
- The Song: The ensemble performed a thunderous version of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”.
- Location: The performance took place at Fed Square, in the heart of Melbourne, near where the original 1976 video was filmed.
- Significance: The event was a massive tribute to Bon Scott and AC/DC, organized by Fed Square and supported by City of Melbourne and ABC Radio Melbourne.
- Previous Record: The previous record was set in Bulgaria in 2012 with 333 players.
The event saw musicians of all ages, many in traditional Scottish attire, turn the city center into a massive musical tribute, which was documented by ABC News and covered by the SMH.