Session A9 Celtic Connections

An entertaining night!

Session A9 are a multi-talented band led by fiddler Charlie Mckerron, who played striking music with four top fiddlers.

They played slow airs, songs, reel and jigs, with often times feet dancing rhythms and bows swinging with a powerhouse dynamism! They also played tunes with slow, melancholy, contemplative violin.

Fiddler Adam Sutherland spoke of his tune which was commissioned for New Voices in 2004. The band played a tune by Ross Ainslie, and also new tunes Charlie Mckerron. Meanwhile guitarist Marc Clement sang a couple country folk songs – ‘These Days’, and ‘Take away the Well So deep.’

This band have funny craic and banter with each other. Brian spoke of the 25 years of Celtic tradition and culture, to sell our culture on and how its amazing what the festival has achieved. He offered a big thanks to all involved with putting on the festival and all the work behind the scenes. He spoke of the scope and breadth of the festival and he wondered where the festival might be in another 25 years time!

For their encore the band performed the fitting song ‘One for the Road’ 

The players consisted of – Charlie Mckerron (fiddle), Gordon Gunn (fiddle & Mandolin), Adam Sutherland (fiddle), Kevin Henderson (fiddle), Brian McAlpine (piano), David Robertson (percussion), Marc Clement (guitar & vocals)

Session A9 played a residency at Epcot and celebrated their first decade with the  album Paths That Wind. They were voted 'Best Live Act 2012' at the Scottish Trad Awards

CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2018!!

I am looking forward now to the 25^th 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 Gaughan. There 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 25^th 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 20^th 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/