bagad

Bagad is a Breton musical ensemble that functions as a pipe band from Brittany, France. The format brings together bagpipes (biniou koz, the great Breton bagpipe), bombardes, and a percussion section. A typical bagad includes several bagpipe players, several bombard players, and a drum corps that may consist of bass, tenor, and snare drums. Some groups also use petits biniou (smaller bagpipes) or additional wind instruments.

Historically, bagads developed in the first half of the 20th century during the Breton cultural revival, expanding Breton traditional music beyond solo or small-group formats. They have since become a central part of Breton culture, featured in fest-noz dances, regional ceremonies, and major Celtic festivals. The name bagad refers to the ensemble as a band or corps in the Breton language.

Repertoire ranges from traditional Breton tunes—such as gavottes and other dances—arranged for the pipe-and-drum texture, to contemporary compositions written specifically for bagads. Performances emphasize rhythmic drumming, drone-like bagpipe lines, and tight ensembles, with bombard players often carrying melodies or countermelodies.

Competitions and organizations structure the modern bagad scene. Bagads participate in regional and national championships and frequently appear at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient and other Celtic festivals, helping to sustain and evolve Breton music. Notable examples include Bagad Kemper, among the best-known Breton bagads, which has achieved international recognition for its performances and recordings.