RuMac Turns “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” Into an Unexpected Accordion Performance
An accordion might not be the first instrument people associate with disco music, but Scottish musician RuMac brought a different idea to the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2025. His audition featured “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie,” the well-known disco hit by Baccara, performed with his accordion and vocals.
The unusual combination made the performance stand out from a conventional singing audition. Rather than choosing a typical pop arrangement, RuMac built his act around an instrument that gave the familiar song a completely different sound.
Who Is RuMac?
RuMac is the stage name of Scottish musician Ruairidh MacLean, a singer and accordionist. He appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2025, bringing his distinctive musical style to a national television audience.
According to ITV’s official BGT coverage, RuMac opened the new series with a disco classic and attempted to win over the judges using an accordion—an unexpected instrument choice for the song. Source: ITV
His act combines playing and singing, making the accordion more than a background instrument. It is central to the sound and personality of his performance.
A Disco Classic With a Different Sound
“Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” was originally recorded by Baccara, the Spanish vocal duo whose disco hit became widely recognized. Its upbeat character makes it a memorable song, but an accordion-led arrangement is far from the sound many listeners expect.
RuMac uses the accordion to carry the melody and rhythm while singing along. That combination gives the performance a distinctive texture: the instrument provides the musical foundation while his vocals preserve the familiar identity of the song.
The choice also creates a contrast between the classic disco style and the traditional associations many people have with the accordion. That contrast is a big part of the audition’s appeal.
From an Unusual Instrument Choice to a Lively Performance
When a performer walks onto a talent-show stage with an unexpected instrument, the audience may need a moment to understand what is coming. RuMac’s audition uses that curiosity as part of the experience.
As the familiar song develops, the accordion becomes the focus rather than an oddity. The recognizable melody gives viewers something to connect with, while the arrangement creates a fresh way to hear it.
The performance shows how an artist can change the feel of a well-known song without losing its identity. Instead of relying on elaborate staging, RuMac puts his instrument, vocals, and musical personality at the center of the act.
How the Judges Reacted
The audition was designed to win over the judges with a musical approach they might not have expected. The official BGT description specifically highlights the accordion as RuMac’s controversial instrument of choice and frames the performance as an attempt to impress the panel.
The audience’s experience is part of what makes talent-show auditions engaging: a performance can begin with uncertainty and develop as the music becomes familiar. Viewers can watch the judges’ expressions and reactions change as they discover the act’s style.
For this audition, the main attraction is the unusual combination of a disco hit, accordion playing, and singing—not simply the choice of instrument alone.
Why Accordion Performances Can Surprise Audiences
The accordion can play melody and harmony while producing a distinctive rhythmic sound. Although it is used in many musical traditions, it is not the instrument most people expect to hear leading a disco song.
That makes RuMac’s arrangement a reminder that music often depends on how an instrument is used rather than on its usual genre associations. A familiar song can sound very different when the instrumentation changes, especially when the performer brings their own energy and interpretation.
For viewers, the appeal is straightforward: it is recognizable music presented in a way they may never have considered before.
Watch RuMac’s Full BGT Audition
Want to hear the accordion version for yourself? Watch RuMac’s performance of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” on Britain’s Got Talent.
Watch the original video here:
A Different Kind of Disco Performance
RuMac’s BGT audition stands out because it combines a familiar disco classic with an unexpected instrument. His accordion and vocals give “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” a distinctive character while keeping the song recognizable.
The performance is a good example of how musicians can bring a fresh perspective to well-known material. Sometimes, all it takes is a different instrument and a willingness to try something unusual.
What do you think of RuMac’s accordion version? Would you listen to more disco classics played this way? Share your thoughts after watching the performance.
Other iconic AGT auditions and singers: America's Got Talent Other iconic BGT auditions and singers: British's Got Talent
