celtic connections

Declan O’Rourke talks about “Oceanic”, his eighth studio album, recorded in Sydney with Jim Moginie of Midnight Oil. Give an artist a palette of colours, he says, and “you can’t expect them to stick with yellow or red.” He also talks about finding his old classical guitar teacher after about ten years.

Dave McNally shares his Celtic Connections highlights, covering The Transatlantic Sessions, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Frances Morton, Michael McGoldrick, Tim Edey and Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves and Brian Finnegan.

During their Celtic Connections performance, Catrin Finch’s mastery of the Welsh harp intertwined seamlessly with Aoife Ní Bhriain’s deft fiddle playing, creating a rich tapestry of sound that thoroughly captivated the audience.

Celebrating its 32nd year, Celtic Connections has made its first lineup announcement for its 2025 festival. It will be held across 25 venues in Glasgow from Thursday, 16 January to Sunday, 2 February 2025.

Michael McGoldrick and Family put on a great show at Celtic Connections for the launch of their debut album, One For The Road. The passion, talent, and exceptional versatility meant they all had much to be proud of.

Transatlantic Sessions never fails to deliver, and with Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves now members of the house band, alongside guests that included Lindsay Lou, Kim Carnie, Joshua Burnside and Carlene Carter, it was another unforgettable evening.

An exceptional and quite mesmerising performance by Amy Laurenson, a pianist from the Shetland Isles, followed by Celtic Fiddle Festival’s top-class musicianship, all made for a highly engaging and enjoyable evening of music.

For Damien O’Kane and Ron Block’s Celtic Connections set, the dividing line between band and guests was appropriately blurred at this highly anticipated banjo-fest gig at the magnificent Barony Hall.

Hannah Rarity delivered a composed and confident excellent set before Galician musician Carlos Nuñez delivered what can only be described as an unforgettable top-class performance and jubilant extravaganza.

Angélique Kidjo proved to be a force of nature at Celtic Connections with a powerful stage presence throughout, gripping, insistent vocals and almost always a beat that had to be danced to.

Allison Russell’s highly anticipated Celtic Connections show exceeded all expectations – supported by her powerhouse Rainbow Coalition, it was an unforgettable evening of first-rate music and songs inspiring resilience and hope.

Julie Fowlis delivered a compelling and entertaining Celtic Connections set, supported by Duncan Chisholm, Éamon Doorley, Innes White, Alice Allen, Patsy Reid and Binneas, a Gaelic harmony collective.

Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble delivered a captivating concert, shifting in tempo and intensity, stretching the melodies, with ever-innovative accompaniment – the standing ovation more than deserved.

In what was a landmark moment in the history of Celtic Connections, one that will leave a resounding echo for many years to come, The Bothy Band smashed all dizzyingly elevated expectations.

As Celtic Connections 2024 grows nearer and Glasgow gets set to come to life with music from around the world, festival performers Su-a Lee, Low Lily, Alison Brown, Sarah Jarosz, RANT, and Project Smok share their top picks.

Celtic Connections shares details of their expansive 2024 lineup spanning acoustic, traditional, indie, Americana, Jazz, blues, orchestral, experimental and more. Plus some of Folk Radio’s picks.

Talking about “Carrying”, Sally Anne Morgan says: “So much of what we accumulate and carry around with us burdens us, but we also can’t or don’t know how to let go.” Through her music, she leaves you feeling that, in a world full of perils, love can surely overcome all.

James Duncan Mackenzie provided a rousing finale to a fabulous set of mostly original compositions, with top-drawer playing all around; I imagine anyone who didn’t already have a copy of James’s album Fìbhig didn’t leave the building without one.