From 16 January - 2 February, Celtic Connections brightens the winter months with a creative and collaborative programme of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events in Glasgow.
There is an amazing range of events, spanning an incredible 16 genres and 18 days - we’ve picked some highlights, but view the full programme for even more!
16 January, 7.30pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, GRIT Orchestra is an 80-piece ensemble of folk, jazz and classical musicians. Six of their members were commissioned to create new symphonic compositions inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath, ahead of its 700th anniversary in April, which will be performed at the opening night concert.
17 January, 7.30pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Multi award-winning Scottish contemporary folk band Breabach are joined by an array of past members and special guests, as well as multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan's solo project.
17 - 18 January, 9.30pm
Old Fruitmarket
Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 take inspiration from diverse acts such as Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, Frank Zappa and Bob Marley. At Celtic Connections, they'll be joined by Carla J. Easton, who has been working on a PRS Foundation Women Make Music supported album, and has recently joined Scottish band The Vaselines on live dates.
18 January, 10am
Walking Tour
Edinburgh's Vision Mechanics epic new project will be unveiled on Celtic Connections Coastal Day on 18 January. STORM is a ten metre tall female puppet made in Scotland from woven willow, steel and timber - her purpose is to urge care for the environment she stems from at every step. Her first appearance will be accompanied by a specially commissioned soundscape from award-winning musician Mairi Campbell.
24 January, 7.30pm
City Halls
Gaelic song trio SIAN join together with Breton counterparts EBEN to sing songs in their own and each other's languages, highlighting the intriguing similarities between traditional songs in each. Support comes from the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail, a strand of activity that provides visitors to Scotland with the opportunity to experience authentic traditional Scottish music in a wide range of settings, while providing young musicians with a professional development opportunity.
24 January, 7.30pm
The Glad Cafe
Elaine Lennon's first performance was in 2018. Since then, she has earned comparisons to Carole King, Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt, and was named as one of the Nashville Songwriters' Association International 2019 'One To Watch'. In addition to the album launch, Elaine will also perform on the 19th at the Danny Kyle Winner’s Showcase.
31 January, 7.30pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, New Auditorium
Belhaven Bursary winners Kinnaris Quintet, made up of highly respected Scottish folk scene musicians on three fiddles, a mandolin and a guitar, are joined by Westward The Light, launching their debut album following a number of sold out shows including at 2019's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
1 February, 7.30pm
Platform
Following on from two critically acclaimed solo albums, Alex Rex returns to Celtic Connections for the exclusive launch of his new album Andromeda, joined by singer, songwriter and arranger Lavinia Blackwall and Stilton, Anglo-American folk musicians Cath & Phil Tyler, and all female Morris Dancing Boss Morris.
1 February, 8pm
Old Fruitmarket
Salsa Celtica are an 11 piece band featuring musicians from Scotland, Ireland and Cuba, and celebrate their 25th anniversary with old friends and new, with Project SMOK, who are launching their debut album, Horizons.
https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/salsa-celtica-25th-anniversary-big-band-and-project-smok
2 February, 7.30pm
The Mackintosh Church
365 stems from James Robertson's 2013 project to write a 365 word short story every day of the year (subsequently published by Penguin as 365:Stories). Fiddler, composer and curator Aidan O'Rourke decided to build on the project by writing a song every day in response - listen to the highlights of the albums, performed with Kit Downes on piano and harmonium, Sorren Maclean on guitar and special guests, with readings from James and guests Tam Dean Burn, Gerda Stevenson and Iona Zajac.
2 February, 8pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite
Bogh-fhrois (Rainbow) is a project that gathers LGBT+ folk musicians from all over the country to write, collaborate on and perform songs in the folk tradition, which tell stories about life as a member of the LGBT+ community. It returns to Celtic Connections following a much-lauded inaugural showcase at the 2019 festival.
29 January - 2 February
As part of Celtic Connections, we are proud to be a partner to Scotland's largest international music industry event, Showcase Scotland, annually bringing 200 global delegates to Glasgow during the festival. Find out more about this industry event on the Celtic Connections website:
Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections
Image: The Grit, credit - Mihaela Bodlovic
