CELTIC CONNECTIONS highlights 2022

 

Covid has given us time and also new appreciation of those crucial human connections. 

In-person performances at Europe’s premier winter music festival Celtic Connections came to a close last night (Sunday 6 February) after almost three weeks of world-class concerts, exhibitions and screenings.

The 29th edition of the UK’s premiere celebration of roots music was hybrid this year with both in-person and online concerts.  For the 18-day festival and staged around 60 in-person concerts, a number of intimate filming sessions and a quality digital offering.

More than 500 artists were involved across the festival in shows that brought in more than 23,000 attendees to 18 venues right across Glasgow - from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and The Old Fruitmarket, the Mackintosh Church, Tramway.

The online programme, which runs until 16th February, has enjoyed thousands of viewers from 31 countries - Japan, South Africa and Israel, with more than 700 minutes of exclusive programming to be enjoyed.

The Showcase Scotland international partner for Celtic Connections 2022 was Wales, with leading musicians performances over the closing weekend. Showcase Scotland took place online for a second year, so Wales will return in 2023 for a full in-person partnership, alongside Brittany. Both leading and emerging talents. 

Old Fruitmarket

Rura

Siobhan Miller

Anoushka Shankar 

The 2022 highlights included a torch-lit Shetland viking march through the streets of Glasgow, a spell-binding performance from Anoushka Shankar accompanied by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, several foot-stomping sell-out trad gigs and a unique strand of shows celebrating Scotland’s Year of Stories.

Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “Having been faced with such uncertainty at the turn of the year, we feel very fortunate to have preserved an 18-day festival and to have met disruption with innovation and creative solutions at every turn. It’s been a joy to provide a global platform for musicians and performers and to share our love and passion for performance with the world, while keeping those involved safe.  “We have showcased uplifting performances from some of folk’s brightest talent and brought that hugely sought after live-gig experience to thousands of festival attendees - all with a renewed sense of optimism and vigour. Thank you to everyone who stuck with us to make this year’s festival possible. We look forward to returning bigger and better again for our 30th year in 2023.”

John McCusker, Phil Cunningham, Ali Bain

N’famady Kouyaté

Paul Brady

Sarah Jarosz

**Selected Celtic Connection shows are available to enjoy as part of an online pass until Wednesday 16 February.

Rescheduled concerts – Niteworks  Isle of Skye electronic Celtic fusion band - 22nd June / Scottish folk favourites Capercaillie - 23rd June, plus the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Celtic Connections will return for its 30th anniversary  - 19th January to 5th February 2023.  

Celtic Connections began in 1994 when it offered 66 events at one venue. It has since grown more adventurous, experimental and diverse each year, with an unwavering ambition to showcase the very best traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, indie and world music and nurture unique local, national and international cultural partnerships.

 www.celticconnections.com.

Viking Torchlit parade to open Celtic Connections

Celtic Connections welcome return!

 

Alligan String Octet

 Celtic Connections brought light and joy to Glasgow’s iconic venues

Glasgow came to life over the weekend with the welcome return of the winter Celtic Connections festival. Audiences enjoyed a busy weekend of performances as part of the 29th offering of Europe’s premiere winter festival took place at the Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, Tramway, the Mackintosh Church, Old Fruitmarket, and St Luke’s.

Stand-out events included the renowned British-Indian sitar player Anoushka Shankar performing her father Ravi Shankar’s iconic Concerto No.3 with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, foot-stomping gigs from festival favourites Mànran and Mec Lir and a sell out show with the energy of Talisk. 

Scottish singer songwriter Kathryn Joseph was joined by the 20-strong Tinderbox Collective - an exciting cross-genre line-up of young musical talent with professional collaborators, 

 

While the festival’s partnership with BEMIS Scotland culminated in a stunning 

Tramway show, headlined by young energetic Guinean artist N’famady Kouyaté.

Hannah Rarity

I'm looking forward to the second Celtic Connections weekend!

- 3^rd February at St Luke’s the ever popular Blue Rose Code and at the historic Macintosh church Gnoss

- 4th February, Adam Holmes at Drygate and Sharon Shannon New Auditorium Concert hall.

- 5th February, Rura Theatre Royal, Old Blind Dogs at St Lukes.

- 6th February, Transatlantic Sessions, Royal Concert hall

Anoushka Shankar

 

*Celtic Connections 2022 both in-person and ONLINE!

For the second consecutive year Celtic Connections has had to cancel concerts due to the Coivd pandemic, while some of the festival has been able to go ahead. At the last minute I’ve had messages to tell me that 2 concerts have been re-scheduled for June, I’ve also had tickets refunded, for the opening concert and Vent du Nord, and Rura and Transatlantic Sessions (Feb. 5^th and 6^th) concerts are going ahead!

Every January its always such a boost to look forward to CC, and gets me through those chill winter nights with concerts full of warmth and joy, poignant ballads, energetic accomplished musicianship and unique collaborations!

 

Its good some concerts have been rescheduled for June though. 

CELTIC CONNECTIONS festival Pass - 

 - https://www.glasgowlifetv.com/products/celtic-connections-2022-festival-pass

 

Celtic Connections is Europe’s biggest winter festival and as well as celebrating Scotland’s rich music traditions, also welcomes international musicians and the strong Celtic links between Breton, Nova Scotia, Ireland, Tennessee, Scandinavia. 

In todays mono-culture of globalization its more important than ever to celebrate our diversities and uniqueness while also enjoying our interconnections. 

Music is our most powerful universal language. 

 

 

FOLK music & Sandy Bells

The extended gatherings of those who celebrate live traditional music – that warm special folk magic –with its

musical intimacy, the surprise of unexpected collaborations, the joy of a larger collective all appreciating musical traditions  and heritage, the bringing together of all ages, all walks of life, and from all corners of the globe, the appreciation of the common language and connections and the intense joy live music brings us. 

 

Music is our first and last memory and is in inherently, deeply instinctive.

Abiding memories. The release and hopes. Live folk music makes me see warm wood and golden glows. With the range and quality of the artists.

 

I first came across live folk music, in my early twenties, in the folk clubs of Edinburgh and at Sandy Bells bar. I’ll never forget that experience and the impact of live traditional instruments and the poignant, expression of  a live ballad singer. Up to then I had enjoyed playing piano and listening to recorded cassettes – the Beatles, the Stones, Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan and Mozart!. But the live traditional music was on a different level altogether with the impact of its vibrant immediacy, its heart and soul.

And for anyone who thinks folk music is our-dated or dull - there are many top names in music today who began with the folk song - Gerry Rafferty, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Proclaimers, Laura Marling, Neil Young, Eagles and many many more.

The melody and song is the heart.

 

I sincerely hope the live traditions will live on for many reasons. The folk song has so many deeper meanings an depth, tell stories across the divides. 

Julie Fowlis

Edinburgh is now full of international students. In fact I read that both St Andrews and Edinburgh universities are only 30% are now scots. And with Air B&Bs and globalization and tourism, it is crucial Scotland’s rich musical heritage can survive.

 

This is a reason people today are fighting for their sense of identity. A fight between individuality, independence, diversity, uniqueness, - and the mono-culture of blandness of global culture? Who wants a MacDonald’s on every street corner? I want to visit Italy for its art, it special and unique stories. 

Sandy Bells Bar Edinburgh

**Sandy Bells bar on Forrest road. Back in the 60s folklorists Hamish Henderson and Margaret Bennet used to attend the bar. Many musicians have been inspired by playing at Sandy Bells. 

**MY PHOTOS include fiddle player Alasdair White at Sandy Bells. 

Celtic Connection folk and roots festival hosts live Sessions at the Festival club and at the Late night sessions (although not in 2022 due to the Covid restrictions)

Celtic Connections 2022 cancelled events due to Covid

 

It's sad about Celtic Connections having to cancel some concerts, but they are now offering a Digital festival from 26th January.

THE ORGANISERS Celtic Connections music festival have announced that several shows will be cancelled due to the uncertainty around Covid.

FM Nicola Sturgeon announced that she hopes to be able to lift the current restrictions on indoor events on January 24 2022, so hopes are growing that this month's Celtic Connections festival, January 20, can go ahead to some extent, while some events have already been cancelled.

Celtic Connections  have announced it was with "a heavy heart" that they were confirming a number of shows within the programme are no longer able to go ahead. They are in the process of contacting impacted artists regarding cancellations and expect the majority of shows to be affected by restrictions in some way.

 "Our ambition for the 29th edition of the festival was to bring everyone together once again, however the uncertainty and disruption caused by the Omicron variant has meant it is not feasible for us to continue with our existing plans on the scale we had originally hoped.

"Artists and ticketholders for the shows affected so far are being contacted directly and we would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and patience.  We have not come to these decisions lightly and are committed to presenting a form of the festival which brings the connection and joy of Celtic Connections to audiences, while being both feasible and safe for all involved.

"We are currently working through many different scenarios and options and reviewing all shows in line with existing event restrictions. We will continue to keep our audiences up to date as the plans for Celtic Connections 2022 evolve."

The opening concert, ‘Neath The Gloamin’ Star, was to feature younger musicians and songwriters.

Cara Dillon

Before Christmas organisers said restrictions and the timeline against future reviews presented significant challenges for the festival. However, with restrictions placed onaudience numbers for indoor events at just 200 for all-seater shows and 100 for standing, and one-metre distancing, shows have sadly been cancelled.

The event, promoted by Glasgow Life, the charitable trust which runs the city's culture and leisure services, was due to be held in Glasgow from January 20 to February 6, with an 18-day programme featuring traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music. More than 1,000 musicians were due to take part in the 29th edition of the concert series.

The online version of the festival in 2021 sold more than 27,000 tickets and attracted audiences from over 60 different countries, with more than 10.5 million minutes of musical entertainment viewed over a 19-day programme.  Previous festivals have featured Robert Plant, Laura Marling, the Chieftains, Bobby Womack to name a few - and more than 100,000 attendances.

https://www.celticconnections.com

Adam Holmes

 **Some events have already been cancelled, however. Below is a list of the affected performances.

Roaming Roots, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, January 23

Dean Owen at CCA, January 28

Geraint Watkins Band and Emma Jane, Drygate Brewery, January 21

 

 

Shetland 550, The Mackintosh Church, January 21

Ceilidh With The Peter Wood Band, National Piping Centre, January 22

The Lonesome Ace Stringband & The Magpies, Mitchell theatre January 22

Elephant Sessions 10th Anniversary Special, Glasgow Barrowland, January 22 (re-scheduled for September 23)

The Conundrum: International Piping Night, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (New Auditorium), January 22

Neal Francis and Unoma Okudo, Drygate Brewery, January 22

 

An Tobar: 25 Years, Drygate Brewery, January 23

Megan Henderson with Ainsley Hamill: Not Just Ship Land, Mitchell Theatre, January 23

Frankie Gavin and Màirtìn Ò Connor and Stundom, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (New Auditorium), January 23

Le Vent Du Nord, Old Fruitmarket, January 28

Ian Fraser with Josie Duncan, Mitchell Theatre, January 28

Spiers & Boden, Òran Mór, January 28

Astrid and Ewan Macfarlane, Drygate Brewery, January 27

Lera Lynn and Donovan Woods, CCA, January 27

Allison Russell and Ala de Liona and Emily Scott Robinson, Saint Luke’s, January 26

Breabach with Beòlach, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, January 26

Jason Wilson’s Ashara, CCA, January 29

Leventime: A Tribute To Jackie Leven, Òran Mór, January 29

Stina Marie Claire, CCA, January 30

Andrew Wasylyk and Twelfth Day, Mitchell Theatre, January 30

Hamish Henderson Night: Ballad Of The Banffies, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, January 30

Jill Jackson and Lady Nade, Old Fruitmarket, January 30

 

Annabelle Chvostek and Elaine Lennon, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Strathclyde Suite), January 31

Kate Rusby, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, February 1

Rachel Baiman and Cahalen Morrison, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Strathclyde Suite), February 1

Catriona Price, Mitchell Theatre, February 2

Amadou & Mariam, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, February 2

Darlingside, Saint Luke’s, February 2

Dervish, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, February 3

Tom Oakes, National Piping Centre, February 3

The Mastersons and Julia Taylor, CCA, February 4

Ryan Young and Chris Amer with Janice Burns and Jon Doran, National Piping Centre, February 4

Roddy Hart And The Lonesome Fire, Saint Luke’s, February 6

MUSIC and creative industries badly effected by Brexit & Covid

Attending live concerts is so important to many of us – nothing beats the thrill, togetherness, emotional releases and well-being of an excellent, engrossing concerts -  either the energetic large stadium, music festival or the intimacy of the characterful smaller venues.

I’m very concerned, as are many others, over the destruction of many of our crucial industries due to this foolhardy and reckless Brexit. The Creative industries and music is a massive industry for the UK, and this is all a disaster. 

Brexit failings

The EU is by far the biggest touring market in the world–  in 2019 - with EU 20K tour dates, America 5K, and other countries much fewer. Plus it costs a fortune to tour say Australia with a much smaller population 

 

To tour the EU after Brexit now requires - Visa regulation and lots of red tape, instruments, lighting, sound equipment, rules on transportation, And only 3 stops in the EU!!  All the uncertainty now for mid-tier artists makes touring practically unviable, and there are no crews or tour managers. Devastating for artists. 

 

On top of the destructive Brexit there have also been the Covid restrictions on us all. However Covid Insurance won’t cover festivals or musicians. There is a Covid relief fund – and Festivals have been offered 35 million.

 

Sadly many artists are now quitting and leaving the industry. 

Among my hopes are that we might be able to return to the EU single market and customs union. Apart form our crucial cultural, economic and scientific connections the biggest benefit the EU has brought is “peace and prosperity”! 

 

I’m excited to have two concerts now booked for August – its 18months since my last concert at Celtic connections 2020!  - Tideines 8th August,Edinburgh Festival 2021 and Chrissie Hynde 24^th August, Queens Hall Edinburgh!

 

 

Edinburgh festivals RETURNS 2021!

We’ve had tough times, so hard for many. What will all the costs be?

One thing for sure is that the arts will be essential for our recovery. 

 

Scottish Festivals ... Seek to engage, challenge, entertain and to ensure quality of standard, musicianship, writing, diversity, colour and more.

Every August is a highlight to venture on Edinburgh’s historic streets and to culturally recharge my batteries at the world’s largest arts festival. There’s a special freedom of creativity, where nearly anything goes – a vast melting pot of colour, comedy, dance, song. 

 

August means Edinburgh and in particular its International book festival. I grew up in this northern capital, dominated by its castle, Arthur seat and historic Royal mile. I have been taking photos at the Edinburgh Festival since 2007. 

This is a year to renew our attitudes and ideas or make a change of direction: this is much needed reflections and contemplations.

 

**EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2021 will be happening on a smaller scale.

Last year 2020 the festivals, for the first time had to be cancelled since 1947, due to the worldwide Covid pandemic. I visited the high street, it was very odd. 

 

This year the festival is planning 3 large outdoor marquees. While the fringe may take over some of the newly empty shops in town. Edinburgh is also planning to pedestrianise George street. Stars such as Alan Cumming and violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Edinburgh festival is the world largest arts festival, begun in 1945 to bring rejuvenation after the devastation of war. 

There is the main international festival along side the Fringe comedy: plus dance, opera, musicals, drama, concerts, mime, art, debates, books and of course the performers in the high street..

There’s also the high water marks of the main festival – with opera, classical, ballet, drama, and more. .

TICKETS NOW ON SALE - https://www.eif.co.uk

 Edinburgh FRINGE - https://www.edfringe.com

The Edinburgh festival has been taking place each August since 1947. After the devastation of war Austrian Rudolf Bing, decided Europe could be brought together to heal by a large scale cultural festival. He decided on Edina, as it reminded him of Salzburg, and it became the worlds biggest cultural arts event. 2020 was the first year for 73 years the Edinburgh festival has not been held.

Edinburgh is ideal to see on foot with the Royal mile, the Mound and over to the new town.

 

Art is crucial

Art is how we move forward, broaden horizons, question and exchange ideas, culture and heritage ultimately matters more – more than any political rhetoric! 

CELTIC Connections 2021 review

Celtic Connections 2021 offered hope, renewals and light in dark times. 

This was such a treat to enjoy so many quality concerts in the comfort of our own homes! Variety is a key word at Celtic, and one of its strengths. 

 

The festival celebrates different cultures and the range and quality of talent. It also showcases Glasgow impressive, historic venues - Mackintosh church, Kelvingrove galleries, Barrowlands, City Chambers, old Fruimarket, 

 

The digital festival aired over 30 concerts showcasing over 100 musicians. It has been a huge success with sales (tickets and passes) surpassing expectations with 27,000 sold to audiences from over 60 countries. Over 10.5 million minutes of musical entertainment have been enjoyed by viewers over the last 19 days. 

 

I particularly enjoyed concerts with – Duncan Chishom, Elephant Sessions, Vent Du Nord, Blue Rose Code, The Opening concert, Karen Matheson, Karine Polwart. Other Highlights – Fara, Breabach, Dreamers Circus, Admiral Fallow, Jose Gonzalez (Sweden), The Staves, Molly Tuttle, more. And the Roaming Roots revue with Songs of survival,  

The ‘Farewell concert‘ ended the festival with a lone piper at the Glasgow SEE Hydro, the first performance there for a year - will we ever see it packed again? Also included was haunting Gaelic singer Darren MacLean and a poignant poem by Edwin Morgan, The Release. While the pure tones of Rachel Sermanni sang her song ‘Lay my Heart’ the video showed highlight moments from this years online Celtic Connections. And I highly recommend for a finale showcase of the breadth and quality range of talent. 

The festival overs the whole range of emotions with expressive melodies, reassuring vocal harmonies, and energetic rhythms. The festival is a platform for folk traditions and new talent.

While a scaled down festival this was an impressive line up! Here’s hoping to be actually at the concert hall in 2022! https://www.celticconnections.com  

Strange times indeed. Music gives us a voice,

Brings us together,

Offers new horizons,

New hopes,

New dawns, 

That we can dream again, hope again, 

Touch again.