Neil McFadyen

In addition to proving herself a versatile and accomplished songwriter; in Siren Serenade Emily Mae Winters also confirms her ability, and willingness, to revisit traditional sources. Enthralling evidence of the breadth of talent she has to offer.

After a tantalising introduction to Curse of Lono last year, their debut album ‘Severed’ is finally here. It plays like an album from a band who have been developing their performance for many years and it’s one they can be immensely proud of.

Cracks in the Room makes the most impressive use yet of Twelfth Day’s winning way with a lyrical hook and their quite exceptional instrumental skills. It is one of the most rewarding listening experiences to be placed before an audience this year.

Éilís Kennedy, our Artist of the Month, discusses her new album ‘Westward,’ a collection of traditional and contemporary songs that display the kind of elegance and grace that can only come from Ireland, especially when the songs feature a voice as pure and soothing as hers.

With ‘Making Waves,’ Luke Daniels bridges the gap between traditional music and its contemporary descendants (ft. John Doyle, Mike McGoldrick and Aidan O’Rourke) and emerges with his reputation as an instrumentalist, a composer and an innovator considerably enhanced. An outstanding album.

Copenhagen fulfils the promise of Benjamin Folke Thomas’s live shows and his two earlier albums. It also represents a bold step forward as a song writer and an important progression as a studio artist. It is, without a doubt, his best album yet.

Éilís Kennedy’s new solo album ‘Westward’ features the finest songs from all over the British Isles and from across the Atlantic. The connections Éilís enjoys with her collaborators have helped her share those songs in a memorable and truly enjoyable setting. An exceptional album from one of Ireland’s finest voices.

Our Song of the Day comes from Gaelic singer Kim Carnie. Watch her performing Brendan Graham’s heartbreaking lament Crucán na bPáiste (The Burial Place of the Children) at the final of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of 2017.

Multi-instrumentalist, singer, song writer Amy Duncan announces her sixth studio album, Antidote. Antidote promises to be even more remarkable than Undercurrents, with Amy finding new freedom to write and record. Help support the release via her Pledge Campaign.

Renata Rosa cuts a colourful figure from the very beginning as she sweeps onto the stage at Glasgow City Halls to perform with her three-piece band…a thrilling and enchanting taste of Brazil.

The very nature of Celtic Connections means there are a wealth of exciting collaborations, formed without much time for rehearsal, and they can be all the more exciting for it. However, when something as carefully planned, and as perfectly executed, as Duncan Chisholm’s The Gathering takes place the results are captivating and memorable.

Featuring Karen Matheson, Julie Fowlis, The Kaela Rowan Band and more, Paul McGeechan presented Celtic Connections with a unique and captivating performance, successfully bringing the splendour of Starless to a live, and thoroughly appreciative, audience.

A perfect blend of styles delivered with assured mastery by a group of highly accomplished musicians; The Kaela Rowan Band provided another example of the genuinely outstanding quality of performance on offer at Celtic Connections.

It takes quite a performer to move a packed auditorium from a hand clapping, foot-stomping frenzy to a rapt, silent hush on the turn of a sixpence. Tommy Emmanuel, though, with his mix of guitar and people skills, is the very man for the job. An outright charmer.

Hamish Napier and Adam Sutherland’s brought their off-the-cuff musical musings, Nae Plans, to a packed and enthusiastic house. Together with Jenn Butterworth, Laura-Beth Salter and Steve Foreman they also brought a flavour of those famous late night sessions to an early-evening Glasgow audience.

Derek Gripper walked onto the Celtic Connections stage with a cheery nod, acknowledging the welcome from the audience, took a seat, relaxed with one ankle resting on the other knee, and proceeded to play the most beautiful, enchanting guitar music you will ever hear.

Glasgow-based trio Wildings (Jennifer Austin, Sarah Hayes and Fiona MacAskill) charmed the Celtic Connections audience from the outset and was a testament to the creative relationship enjoyed by this trio.

Joined by special guests, including Chris Wood, fiddle player Catriona Price and harpist Esther Swift, better known as Twelfth Day, gave a remarkable performance at Celtic Connections. True originals who sound like nothing you’ve ever heard.