celtic connections

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.

Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall witnessed over 60 musicians, who have been inspired by and shared Angus R Grant’s vision, spend an energetic, soulful, exuberant and, at times, emotional four hours celebrating his music, his humour, his unmitigated love of a good tune, and of a good time.

On the first weekend of this year’s Celtic Connections, Scottish fiddle quartet Rant introduced 4/4, A Project for Projection, in which the band work with a group of twelve young fiddlers from across Central Scotland to create a performance with a full-on fiddle sound.

The programme for Celtic Connections 2017 has been announced which features concerts from Laura Marling, Karine Polwart, Shirley Collins, a special tribute to Angus R Grant, a star-studded folk orchestra with La Banda Europa led by Jim Sutherland and lots more.

The first names for Celtic Connections 2017 are announced with tickets going on sale for Billy Bragg and Joe Henry, The Felice Brothers, Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and Joanne Shaw Taylor.

Her fiddle playing is peerless; her voice soft, warm and soothing; and her rapport with the audience as easy and sincere as if she was chatting with a neighbour. With a surprise guest slot from Siobhan Miller the full house at the Tron Theatre would clearly welcome Rayna back to Celtic Connections again and again.

Mischa MacPherson talks to Folk Radio UK about what she’s been up to including her new 7-piece band which will debut at Celtic Connections on 29 January ft: Mike Vass, Innes White, Ali Levack, James Lindsay and more.

Read our Live Review of The Shee’s launch of their Continuum Project at Celtic Connections also featuring Karine Polwart, Chris Wood, Andy Cutting, Kathryn Tickell and Martin Simpson.

In our ongoing ‘Guest Feature’ The Shee tell us all about their tenth anniversary Continuum project and their nominated collaborators. For their latest post Shona Mooney tells us about her choice – Kathryn Tickell.