Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts

Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Hoolie in the Hydro 2024!

 

Rare Rabbie fiddle to take centre stage at groundbreaking shows in Scotland and the States

Duncan Chisholm Burns fiddle
 Celebrated musician Duncan Chisholm will perform on the special fiddle  at Carnegie Hall for "Hoolie in New York" April 2025. 

In its third year, Hoolie 100 Saturday 7th December 2024,has become a world-renowned event, commemorating 100 years of Scottish music. Hosted by Gary Innes, the events seek to preserve and promote Scotland’s rich cultural heritage. Partnered with the National Trust, Hoolie 100’s official, and a shared commitment to honouring Scotland’s rich musical history and celebrating the incredible talent that defines our modern and traditional music scene.

 

The Gregg fiddle 

An 18th century fiddle thought to be played by Robert Burns will be played on two of the world’s biggest stages for the first time. The ancient, decorated baroque fiddle is kept on display in the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Alloway. Thanks to partnership between Hoolie in the Hydro and National Trust ScotlandPlayed by Burns’ dance teacher William Gregg, 250 years ago, will be played by two of Scotland’s accomplished players. in some of the grandest music venues – the OVO Hydro Glasgow and Carnegie Hall New York.


History will be made when Lochaber multi-instrumentalist Ewen Henderson plays the Gregg fiddle at "Hoolie in the Hydro Glasgow", Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music, December. 7th


Constructed around 1750, the fiddle was thought to have been played at the Bachelor's Club in Tarbolton where Burns was learning dance steps, and was named among the 25 Objects That Shaped Scotland’s History by VisitScotland. The Gregg fiddle is only played a handful of times a year and has never been played in front of audiences of this size and in arenas of this scale before.

 

The line up Hoolie in the Hydro hosts forward-thinking talent on the folk scene, and celebrating landmark years of Scottish music - pioneers Capercaillie, iconic Skerryvoreaward-winning group Mànran, leading lights RURA and exhilarating Talisk.  Plus the prestigious The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo joined the star-studded line-up to celebrate its 75th birthday. The event will pay tribute to the late Fergie MacDonald MBE, with special guests performing some of his most-loved songs.

 

Hoolie in the Hydro Glasgow 2024, Saturday 7th December 2024. Tickets –- www.sec.co.uk/events/detail/hoolie-in-the-hydro-2024.


"Hoolie New York!" The cultural extravaganza will cross the Atlantic for an unprecedented event at  Carnegie Hall New York, part of NYC Tartan Week - which promises an evening of vibrant Scottish music and culture, showcasing talent from Scotland. Celtic supergroup Mànran along with renowned vocalist Julie Fowlis and legendary Dougie MacLean.The evening will be compered by the Alan Cumming. Both events will feature on BBC ALBA.

  

Hoolie New York, 5th April 2025. Tickets  - www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2025/04/05/scotlands-hoolie-in-new-york-0800pm.

 

Hoolie in the Hydro organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said: “Robert Burns is an unparalleled figure within Scotland’s culture, so to be able to bring part of his legacy to the Hoolie stages, both at home and across the Atlantic, is remarkable. With the Hoolie brand, I am always looking to break new ground and create memories, reflecting the excitement, energy and heritage of Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene. To be able to work with the National Trust for Scotland on something as special as this feels like a landmark occasion – I hope it will create a moment of magic for both the musicians and our audiences.”


Friday, 25 October 2024

Celtic Connections 2025!




 Europe’s biggest winter festival celebrates 32nd year Celtic Connections Glasgow 16th Jan to 2nd Feb

The world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections has unveiled its ambitious program 2025. Glasgow UNESCO City of Music-  25 venues, 300 events across 18 days, anticipating 110,000 visitors and 1,200 musicians and artists

The premiere winter festival will illuminate stages across Glasgow. Eclipsing dark winter nights with a kaleidoscope of internationally-renowned music, exciting new performances, unique showcases and one-off collaborations. Around 1,200 musicians from 20 countries will descend on Glasgow for the international celebration of Celtic music. 

 

*Celtic is about the most unique and inspired collaborations, emotional tribute concerts, beautiful Gaelic song, traditional ballads and instruments, exciting ceilidh bands, and accomplished musicianship. Plus international and Celtic music. 

 

Highlights include – Grammy-award winner Lyle Lovett, Katie Tunstall, 

**Opening concert – celebrates Glasgow 850, “Let Glasgow Flourish”  the city’s Coat of Arms, to pay tribute to the city’s rich artistic heritage of music, art, poetry, dance and film. How this has fed into Celtic Connections. With unique collaborations, from well-kent faces and emerging talent.  

 



Bluebells Barrowlands; Peat & Diesel Emirate; Braebach with Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO); 

celebrated Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis will undertake her first orchestral commission at the festival with the Scottish Orchestra and her Scots-Irish quartet Allt, alongside Zoe Conway, Eamon Doorley and John Mcintyre. 

Malinky 25th anniversary concert.  Frigg, Finnish band, Scandi folk with BBC Symphony Orchestra. Old Fruitmaket – Glasgow trad scene TRIP headline show; Gaelic song and Hebridean music with Ceolos @30 from South Uist. 

 

New Voices Commissions – BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021 pianist Michael Biggins, Skye born harpist Clorstaidh Beaton and promising banjo talent Ciaran Ryan.

Showcase Scotland partners with Ireland, with Niamh Bury Trio, Nuala Kennedy and Eamonn O’Leary, Corar Trio, Florock, Grainne Hunt and Leonard Barry Trio.

 

The SNJO hosts Nu-Age Sounds: PLANET WORLD, The Old Fruitmarket, with Mercury Prize nominated pianist Fergus McCreadie and jazz singer kitti. And SAY Award shortlisted corto.alto folk-infused jazz Barrowlands, with Scots jazz talent Bemz, Pippa Blundell, Becky Sikasa and JSPHYNX.

 

Canntaireachd with Gaelic singers Kathleen MacInnes, Kim Carnie, and pipes.

Celebrated Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis will undertake her first orchestral commission at the festival with the Scottish Chamber Orhestra and her scots-Irish quartet Allt which, alongside Zoe Conway, Eamon Doorley and John McInytre. 




*Transatlantic Sessions celebrates 30 years of the roots of Americana, with popular house band led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas - and featuring vocalists Loudon Wainwright III, Julie Fowlis, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams and Ireland’s Niall McCabe. Plus American folk-roots pop singer-songwriter Josh Rouse celebrates the 10th birthday of his famous album Nashville, Bluegrass sensations Hawktail, Boston’s Lake Street Dive share their avant-garde Americana sound. 

 

Tradition series, plus ceilidhs, late night sessions, Festival Club, screenings, workshops, the Scottish National Whisky Festival and education program. 

Duncan Chisholm

The very best in world music acts will once again be welcomed to the Celtic Connections line up. Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine will play the Tramway. A clash of African and electronic elements, the outfit is inspired by the golden era of West-African funk and disco and modern post-punk and electro. Femi Kuti & The Positive Force will also bring their iconic live show to Scotland. The eldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Femi will showcase his jubilant energy and distinctive voice to a Glasgow Royal Concert Hall audience.

From small beginnings in 1994, the festival now attracts international artists, and this year will welcome artists from 20 countries - Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, France, Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Wales, Ireland, Republic of the Congo and more. This year will see the launch of under-26s pass, and ensuring the magic of the festival continues to be accessible.

 

Ceiran  Ryan


Glasgow’s much-loved venues, famous for having the “best fans in the world”, are set to give artists a warm welcome -  The Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Celtic Connections and Peat and Diesel will become the first band to play at the Emirates Arena in the city’s east end.

 

TICKETS -  Wednesday 16 October 2024 at www.celticconnections.com.


This year the festival will focus on several High-profile women – Madison Cunningham,  Lady Blackbird, Beth Malcolm, Abi Sompa, (Orchestral Qowwali Project). PLUS award-winning Karine Polwart headline show and 300 choir, Julie Fowlis and Allt and the Scottish chamber Orchestra. 

Karine Polwart

Julie Fowlis




Sunday, 31 January 2021

Visas for Musicians after Brexit



This hard Brexit is proving a disaster for the Creative Industries.  A young band will require a cost of an extra £3,000 for visa expense and a major band about £10,000. Plus a pile of paperwork – Bank statements, proof of taxes, and more. Europe was the place for cultural exchange. These costs are impossible and will mean younger artists unable to tour in Europe. 

 But stopping freedom of movement is all the Brexiteers care about.  

After Brexit touring musicians require visas for everyone on their tour, hugely increasing costs with a £500 charge on each country. A petition is calling for visa free travel across the EU – a free cultural work permit for bands , musicians, artists, film makers and sports stars.

PETITION - https://petition.parliament.uk.Europe-wideVisa-freepermitTouringprofessionals Artists

“The DCMS has told musicians to deal with each country individual. I’m not getting clear answers.” musician The Anchoress. “Culture is absolute a class issue.” Look at where the arts council emergency finding went.”  There are however exceptions within the trade agreement – for miners, tour guides, spin doctors!

 

The UK music industry is worth £5.8 billions and one of our most popular international exports.  The creative industries as a whole is worth £111 billion. The EU rejected an agreement on temporary movement of business travellers.

 

Composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall, “There is clearly something not functioning in the current government DNA, that we have in this instance a successful and important industry for our country’s exports, which has been warning for five years now of the negative impacts of the withdrawal from freedom of movement. 

 

“It has been obvious to me from the start of the negotiations that because of the point blank rejection of freedom of movement, the creative industries were going to be at car-park basement level on the list of priorities. 

At a stroke the rights of pop singers, bands, orchestras, chamber groups, tour managers, stage managers and more to seamlessly travel within the 27 EU member states  come to an end. “


 The creative  industries are worth – theatre 112 Billion, (football 8 billion). After this hard Brexit so many hurdles for young actors, artist and musicians. 

 The Arts are fundamental to our well being.


Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Scots Top Ten!



According to the Sunday Times recently - 

Top Ten Films
Local Hero
Gregory’s girl
Whisky Galore
Prime o miss Jean Brodie
Trainspotting
Wicker Man
Braveheart
Shallow Grave
Geordie
Restless Heart
Del Amitri

Top Ten bands 
Proclaimers
Simple minds
Deacon Blue
The Blue Nile
Travis
The Waterboys
Runrig
Belle & Sebastian
Del Amitri
Iain Banks & Alex Salmond
William MclLivanney
Top Ten authors
Robert Louis Stevenson
JK Rowling
Walter Scott
Iain Banks
William MclLivanney
Muriel Sparks
Irvine Welsh
Alasdair Gray
John Buchan
Lewis Grassic Gibbons
Top Ten Artists
Charles Rennie Macintosh
Henry Raeburn
SJ Peploe
JD Fergusson
Joan Eardley
Jack Vitrianno
Eduardo Paolozzi
Alison Watt
Margaret Macdonald
John Lawrie Morrison

Top Ten Scots Songwriters
Robert Burns
Gerry Rafferty
Annie Lennox
Lewis Capaldi
Ricky Ross
Lulu
Fran Healy
Proclaimers

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2018!!

I am looking forward now to the 25th Celtic Connections 2018 Glasgow!

Each January Celtic Connections brightens up the lull and short days after Christmas  -
with a festival brim full of musical cheer, talent and boasting top quality musicianship, perfect singers, unique collaborations and artists worldwide –who will all descend on Glasgow s many fine venues –
from the Hub at Glasgow Concert hall, Ceilidh nights at the Old Fruitmarket, to intimate smaller venues such as the Old Mackintosh church, St Andrews in the Square, Oran Mor Westend, fun evenings O2 ABC. 

Rab Noakes & Kathleen McInnes

Altan
GRIT orchestra

Enjoy day sessions or late night sessions or open mic, of stomping fiddle tunes, Gaelic songs, soul-filled blues, energetic banjo,

This years festival celebrations include the impressive line up of  the late composer and piper Martyn Bennet’s Bothy Culture at the Hydro, led by Greg Lawson. Also tribute nights to Scottish legends Michael Marra, concert, Arrest This moment and also for Dick GaughanThere will be New Voices and well loved folk Traditions; perfect harmonies, gifted guitar playing, atmospheric pipes, moving flutes, tight basslines. One of the highlights of Glasgow's calendar.  

Photography by Pauline Keightley. Last year I was delighted to exhibit my 10 years of Celtic Connections photo at the Old Fruitmarket venue! 

Blazin Fidles

Cara Dillon
The 18 days of the festival will brighten up the winter nights of January with one-off musical collaborations, talks, workshops, film screenings, ceilidhs, art exhibitions, free events and late night sessions. Celtic Connections festival now has over 300 events across 26 stages and an attendance figure of over 100,000.
Highlights of the 25th Festival
Following its stand out opening concert at the Celtic Connections 2015, the GRIT Orchestra of folk, jazz and classical musicians, will world premier Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture at the Hydro, arranged by Greg Lawson. They will be joined by stunt cyclist Danny MacAskill (55m views YouTube). The GRIT Orchestra is a unique ensemble of Scotland’s diverse contemporary music scene, a scene that Bennett himself helped pave the way for.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS - Shetland’s Fiddler’s Bid, Finnish seven-piece Frigg, award-winning Kate Rusby, punk folk band the Levellers, Sharon Shannon, Skerryvore, The Mavericks, Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer, Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean.  

PLUS Highlanders Blazin’ Fiddles, have their 20th anniversary show, with Jenna Reid, Rua MacMillan, Kristan Harvey, Anna Massie and Angus Lyon – PLUS Duncan Chisholm, Aidan O’Rourke, Catriona Macdonald, Iain MacFarlane, Allan Henderson, Marc Clement and Andy Thorburn. 

Celtic Connections is one of the worlds major folk, world, and roots music winter festivals.  This year the festival twins with Ireland.  My highlights for this year are the Opening concert, Shawn Colvin, Session A9, Bothy Culture and Beyond, Beth Orton, Transatlantic Sessions and many more! 
TICKETS now on sale - https://www.celticconnections.com/




Thursday, 21 July 2016

Mugstock festival 2016

MUSTOCK Festival at Mugdock Country park – 29th – 31st July.
A festival of Music and merriment! -  ‘Scotland’s friendliest wee festival’  
Mugstock returns this year after the debut festival last year was a great success. The Line up ranges from indie, folk, soul, blues, hip hop - to an electronica tent.  Plus there is theatre, art, spoken word and plenty of food and drink.


Headliners this year includes some of the best of Scottish contemporary  music with - Stanley Odd, Emma Pollock, Silicone Soul, BMX Bandits,  Wolves, Siobhan Wilson, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5,  

I enjoyed my visit last year and got some fun photos as an accredited photographer.

 

10 miles from Glasgow city centre, in one of Scotland's most beautiful locations, with acres of ancient woodlands, a Victorian walled garden and 2 castles. Tickets are cheaper than most similar festivals, there are no booking fees and camping is free with every ticket, even if you're just coming for one night.

There will be real ale and fruit cider cheaper than most pubs. There will be family activities which offer opportunities to get creative and get your hands dirty, and there will be hidden art in the forest and a treasure hunt.  Get your tickets now at