Celtic Connections 2027 announced

 

GRIT orchestra

From 14 – 31 January 2027, world renowned Celtic Connections will inspire in 2027, with 18 days of unique events, special collaborations, world premieres, and intimate shows, all celebrating music’s power to transcend borders, cultures, generations and genres.

  - of folk, traditional, roots, world, jazz, orchestral, electronic, Americana and indie music will welcome musicians from 20 countries, across Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada, Spain, Senegal, Australia, Pakistan, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway,  France, Sudan, India and Portugal, for its 34th edition. This forward-thinking festival, embraces tradition as constantly evolving. With 300 events across 25 venues.

 

The festival returns to venues O2 Academy, Glasgow International Arena – formerly the Emirates Arena – best loved venues Old Fruitmarket, SWG3 and Saint Luke’s.

From emerging talent to world-class acts, highlights of the 2027 programme include:

      Scotland's GRIT Orchestra: World Premiere – Celtic Connections’ famed Opening Concert will welcome Scottish traditional music in an orchestral setting,  a homage to Martyn Bennet. This acclaimed ensemble, conducted by Greg Lawson, will perform brand new arrangements of some of the greatest melodies in the folk repertoire, bringing both ancient and contemporary tunes into a symphony setting.

Headliners at Glasgow International Arena – The festival will take over Glasgow International Arena. Friday night, Irish folk-rock giants The Saw Doctors take on one of their biggest headline gigs in the city to date, Saturday night will welcome Indian composer AR Rahman for a spectacular orchestral collaboration, Rangreza with British talents Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa. the first time the show that bridges the gap between Western and Indian classical music has been performed in the UK outside of London’s Royal Albert Hall.

One of the most widely regarded live performers in contemporary music, José González, will play Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The international star is best-known for his cover of Heartbeats, which has earned him over 1 billion streams to date. Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon will play the O2 Academy with her Big Band and some very special guests including Bob Geldof.

Orchestral twist – Celtic Connections will pair folk music with Scotland’s national orchestras. This year Irish collective Ye Vagabonds backed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. King Creosote will partner with Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and experimental small- piper Brìghde Chaimbeul teams up with the Scottish Ensemble.

Tribute to Scottish folk legend Archie Fisher at City Halls; Tribute to songwriting of Joni Mitchell at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum; Fifty years on from his passing, Glasgow’s legendary folk singer Matt McGinn will be honoured at the Tron Theatre; Georgia Rose Lucas presents a special 80th anniversary tribute to her mum, British folk-rock pioneer Sandy Denny.

Trad mad – giants of Scotland and Ireland’s flourishing folk and trad scenes will put on shows across the festival’s three weeks. West coast party starters Trail West, Highland heroes Elephant Sessions, Scots singers Siobhan Miller and Kris Drever, Gaelic artists Julie Fowlis, Breabach, Kim Carnie and Irish trad stars Beoga all have headline slots.

Amazing Americana – A wealth of Americana, country and folk talent will cross the Atlantic for Celtic Connections, with chart-topping bluegrass star Sierra Hull, Seattle’s The Brudi Brothers, LA duo Milk Carton Kids, Grammy award-winning Punch Brothers.

Global beats – Sudanese singer, oud player Sulaf makes her Scottish debut Òran Mór, blending her soaring voice with electronics. Raghu Dixit, one of India's most inventive and charismatic artists brings his trio to the Drygate on the festival’s final night. Mauritanian singer, songwriter griot Noura Mint Seymali will share her exciting trance blue, star of a new generation of West African musicians Momi Maiga performs as part of World Connections at the Tramway.

Platforming new voices – This year’s three exciting young artists commissioned to create an entirely new suite of music through the New Voices initiative 2027 are small pipes player Fionnlagh Mac A' Phiocair, accordionist  Andrew Waite, and fiddle player Madeleine Stewart.

●      Óle for Asturias – the festival welcomes Spanish principality Asturias as its international partner, showcasing music from the rich folk music heritage of the region.

●      Fun for all ages – from dementia-friendly shows and school concerts to late-night, spontaneous sessions at the Festival Club and Late-Night Sessions at Drygate, the usual dynamic mix of events and experiences will be on offer.

Breabach

Julie Fowlis

General tickets go on sale Thursday 8 October at celticconnections.com for the first shows confirmed for 2027, with new gigs on sale each Thursday in October. 

Delivered by Glasgow Life – the charity that leads culture, events and active living in Glasgow – the multi-award-winning festival reflects the UNESCO City of Music itself: international, creative, welcoming, packed with personality and proud of its identity. For 2027, Celtic Connections is embracing its role both as the ultimate winter blues buster. The roll out of New Roots – a £1 membership scheme for under 26s – will allow students and young music lovers to get up to 50% off tickets for selected shows.

Duncan Chisholm

Celtic Connections Creative Director Donald Shaw, who will mark 21 years at the helm of the festival, said: “January is all about embracing musical exploration, uncovering something new that takes you by surprise, and getting out and about regardless of the dark nights. This festival believes in great music, excellent company and the power of connection. That spirit of discovery and optimism runs right through the 2027 programme, with artists people will know and love, new names, unique collaborations and shows that simply won’t happen anywhere else. For 18 days, Celtic Connections will be a meeting place for cultures, ideas and a sprinkling of intangible magic, so come and get curious, we promise you won’t regret it.”

 

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations for Glasgow City Council, said: “Celtic Connections is one of Scotland’s most popular festivals and a shining example of the strength, diversity and global appeal of Glasgow’s iconic music scene. It’s a source of great pride for Glasgow that thousands of visitors make their way to our UNESCO City of Music each year to experience the thrilling sights and sounds of Celtic Connections and be part of the festival’s legendary audiences. We’re looking forward to welcoming new and returning festivalgoers to another spectacular celebration of folk, roots and world music in 2027.”

Celtic Connections is supported by the Scottish Government’s Expanded Festivals Fund and Creative Scotland, and CalMac.