Showing posts with label gigs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gigs. Show all posts

Tuesday 12 October 2021

Celtic Connections 2022 RETURNS!

 

Transatlantic Sessions


Thrilling to hear that CELTIC CONNECTIONS will return January 20th to 6th Feb, to celebrate its 29th year,  as the world premier winter roots, folk and world music festival. It will be held in Glasgow’s iconic venues.  With over a thousand musicians, and events over 18 days. And is famous for its unique collaborations and connections. The focus this year is on young talent with "Tradovation". 

A bright light of emerging talent with a series of concerts from young acts that seek to find innovation, inspiration and exploration within traditional music.  New commissions from musicians at the forefront of the roots, folk, jazz and orchestral scene in Scotland.


Grit Orchestra


New Talent. The opening concert Neath the Gloaming Star – will mean a great deal , after the lockdown months of this Pandemic.“Celtic Connections 2022’s opening concert is a statement of the festival’s commitment to present and hold up emerging acts, recognising what is being done by young musicians in Scotland and internationally to carry the torch for Scots folk song into the future”, Creative Producer, Donald Shaw, “there’s no doubt that this year’s festival has an added significance to it, and in the context of the last couple of years, we’re eager to capture the collective human experience that is at the heart of what’s been missing for people – the sharing of experiences, songs, music and stories.”

Orchestra. 21 January Skye electronic Celtic fusion band Niteworks joined by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, with Gaelic singers Kathleen MacInnes and Sian, night of commissioned orchestrations.  Capercaillie will be joined by Scottish Symphony Orchestra, led by Greg Lawson in a world premiere of orchestrations of the band’s illustrious back catalogue.

Anniversaries. English folk singer-songwriter Kate Rusby, will celebrate 30 years at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall  1 February.   Plus the 20-year anniversary for Quebecois folk quintet Le Vent du Nord, who will bring The Old Fruitmarket to life 28th January with their raucously blend of guitar, fiddle, hurdy gurdy and lusty French vocals. They blend a modern sound, rooted in Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany, and showcase the festival’s cross-cultural spirit

Indie bands will showcase several gigs, including Twilight Sad at the Old Fruitmarket. Plus the ever popular concerts of the Transatlantic Session and the Roaming Roots Revue.


The festival line up will include Fergus McCreadie, Matt Carmichael, RANT & The Ledger, Kim Carnie, Westward The Light, Hamish Napier & Adam Sutherland, Mairearad Green, Jenn Butterworth, Mike Vass and Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach.

 

** Celtic provides a place of warm cheer with the energy of eclectic, accomplished and enriching roots music for those long, chill January nights and days – that challenge as well as being inspired by the past. Last year the festival was online only which saw over   30K fans worldwide tune in. 

Braebach

 
*Celtic Connections began in 1994, when it offered 66 events at one venue. Since then it’s grown more adventurous, experimental and diverse each year and now offers thousands of events in locations across Glasgow.  Funded by - The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund by Caledonian MacBrayne, La Bonne Auberge and Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland. The BBC has supported Celtic Connections since its first year and the festival is pleased to collaborate once again with them for 2022.

Rachel Sermanni


Sunday 31 May 2020

MUSIC in Pandemic times




Music in the UK is a 5 billion industry, with 1 billion in live music. Music supports 200K jobs – who will need longer term support.

For concerts to return – we must protect the workforce along with medical advice. There is a risk of loosing small venues. If we loose small venues, we will loose the talent pipelines. Glasgow boast world beating small venues, I hope they can survive – King Tuts, Barrowlands, Oran Mor, more.

Yet we are listening to more and more music.
Online concerts, sometimes from venues are happening.
Also drive in concerts!

Music Broth -  Is delivering musical instruments and repairing instruments: to give access to music for many who would no be able to afford to. Plus repairing second hand instruments. 


PLEASE SUPPORT - 
Music Broth is Scotland’s Musical Instrument and Equipment Library. Our mission is to make music more accessible to all. We do this through sharing our 1000+ item library of musical instruments and equipment accessible to anyone seeking support for your musical ventures and adventures! We support individuals, bands, families, and organisations. 


Music is an act of self-care. To keep in touch with creative abilities and skills. To express ourselves and communicate.

" People expressing themselves will be there long after the Covid crisis is over." 





Monday 24 December 2018

2018 Signs of Hope


GRIT orchestra performed Bothy Culture
It is crucial, we look for signs of hope!

V & A Dundee - Impressive
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has designed a dramatic sculpted building that looks like the hull of a ship, and he says, the cliffs on Scotland’s east coast. The outside is hard but inside there is a softer feel. – and by contrast there is a huge flow of light and dramatic views over the Tay river and bridge. Kuma studied Mackintosh as part of his training and has clearly been influenced by Mackintosh clean lines, simplicity, and subtle use of light and drama. 


Wonderful to hear that he only surviving Mackintosh Willow tearoom, has been newly restored  over four years and opened in July 2018, 217 Sauchiehall St. Glasgow, first opened in 1903. 
https://www.glasgowmackintosh.com/attraction/mackintosh-at-the-willow

*Journalism. Quality investigative journalism works within strict boundaries. Also, content is king today. More have signed up for quality press since Trumps election. 
Huge congratulations to the National newspaper for high quality reporting, commentary, journalism and community – includes
Channel Four newscontinues to produce quality reporting.
Plus their new culture office in Glasgow.
New Scottish BBC channel – I live in hope!??
Nicola Sturgeon– continues to try to steer an informed sensible and caring course through the unchartered chaotic ignorant shambles of Brexit I wish her good luck!

**Music 2018
This year I attended wonderful concerts with music legends - 
Paul Simon, and Ry Cooder. Plus Blue Rose Code, aka Ross Wilson. 

CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2018
CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2018
*Highlights for me this year were – the impressive large scale concert at the Hydro Bothy Culture and Beyond; a tribute concert Old Fruitmarket for Dick Gaughan, with an excellent line-up;  
Session A9; the unique Blue Rose Code and his top band;
The quality line up of the Transatlantic Sessions; 
The Milngavie Folk club is now located at the Baljaffry church and welcomed big names such as – Donovan, Kiki Dee, Peggy Seeger, Cara Dillon and more this year. 
Threat to festivals
Major international arts festival are extremely concerned over the negative effects of Brexit.. Nick Barley of EIBF believes the damage of Brexit is already done. Its way past time that one of the pundits did a TV documentary explaining what the EU is and isn’t . It appears not only that most people have no idea, but the UK leaders and politicians have no idea wither! What a mess. Who in this crazy country, really understands what “being in the EU” really  means?? It is highly complex, and even after tow years still hasn’t been properly explained. If the UK doesn’t pay the 39 billion we owe the EU. It will be devastating for investment here.

*Quality Scottish websites – 
Mass rallies All Under One Banner; a more established Yes Movement; Indy supporting daily newspaper The National; Commonweal; SIC organization (Scottish Independence Convention); Yes Groups; mass SNP membership.  
While England dismisses the 2014 vote (you had your vote) there is a far more established, grassroots Yes Movement now, Apparently democracy is a one off thing. If it’s a choice between Brexit or the union (its no union) what will they choose?

*Tragedies 2018; Glasgow school of art fire. 
Brexit Fears - Many now see the stupidity involved and all the false promoises. The good ship Britannia is berthed in Leith docks, as a tourist attraction – which is where empire days should remain.

I believe we must be both international and national and not the one against the other. 
#BBC #Question time – surprised to see SNP Ian Blackford on!! Well done Blackford for providing the only opposition!

Its important in these very strange times (!!) that we look for calmer seas. In these strange times, the arts matters more than ever. 
There are answers. The answers are looking at what really natters.

Sunday 29 October 2017

Brexit threat to Scottish Musicians

The weak pound is having a negative effect on major Scottish arts and music festivals, such as Celtic Connections and Edinburgh International festival. Musicians, particularly folk, jazz, and classical depend on collaborating and touring across Europe. Fashion and the arts and design also thrive on these European collaborations. Scottish musicians are campaigning for exemptions for musicians for ease of travel across Europe.

The Scottish duo The Proclaimers are warning that Brexit could be catastrophic to Scotland’s major festivals and also for touring musicians. http://www.heraldscotland.com/Fringe_no_more

Brexiteers claim Britain will now instead look ‘Globally’ to china, Australia, US – while maintaining links to Europe. I’ve no idea what they mean. Scotland’s links to Europe run much deeper, plus Europe is a closer trading partner than these far flung trading partners.

RATHER than "Bathgate no more" and "Linwood no more" we could soon be singing "Fringe no more" and "Celtic Connections no more".  The Proclaimers - famed for their anthem 'Letter from America' - are among a host of Scottish music stars who are warning that Brexit risks devastating Scottish culture. A new campaign by the Musicians' Union is warning that Brexit that will usher an era "disastrous" decline for Scotland's flagship cultural festivals.
Iconic events such as Glasgow's Celtic connections and the Edinburgh International Festival face being devastated by restrictions on European musicians visiting the UK after Brexit, campaigners say. There are also concerns that the careers of Scottish musicians will be damaged by the limits put on them in terms of working across continental Europe.

Fiona Hyslop, SNP Culture secretary at The Lorient Interceltic Festival 2017 in France spoke of how freedom of movement within the EU is fundamental to Scotland’s culture. Scotland was the ‘country of honour’ with a sold-out programme, to highlight the important contributions from the EU in developing the Scottish cultural sector) “European cultural collaboration is central to Scotland’s open international cultural outlook and EU membership is a very important modern dimensi‎on to this.
Lisardo Lombardia, Director of Festival Interceltique de Lorient:  "When the festival was born in 1971, Europe was only a project in construction. This festival has made a choice: to build bridges and not walls. The festival has always welcomed Scotland and it has been one of the festival’s most faithful supporters. The free circulation of culture and ideas, particularly for artists and works of art, has helped Scotland develop its strong reputation in arts, music and creativity and become a major country for European culture.  We want that to continue in the future.
“Despite the anxiety caused by Brexit, we will continue to support the free circulation of cultures and ideas, in particular for artists and works of art. This is what has helped Scotland develop such a strong reputation in arts, music and creativity. It has helped Scotland to become a major country for European culture." 

(PS  Why will Europe give Britain as good a trading deal as members of the EU? Its ridiculous. Yet Brexiteers want their cake and eat it too. They believe the EU will offer free trade with no strings attached and not agreeing to EU regulations!?  Scotland is run by incompetents.
They have truly messed up running Scotland’s oil and gas industry too – not simply mismanaged but screwed up.  Why does Scotland sleep walk into this noose as if we have no other choices?  It is really possible that those in Scotland might do a much much better job running our own resources!! Yes really!)
Either the UK joins EFTA - not likely as UK economy too big – or we crash out with nothing.

Monday 8 August 2016

Siobhan Wilson at Mugstock


The lovely Siobhan Wilson captivated with her floating engrossing voice at Mugstock festival - when she was joined on stage for Dylan’s 'Spanish Leather' by traditional singer and her good mate Alastair Ogilvie.




Wednesday 26 March 2014

Dick Gaughan Milngavie folk club March 2014

The folk club was busy for Gaughan’s return gig here with both young and older fans. He prefers to stand tall with his guitar as he plays and sings.  

Dick Gaughan is a Scottish traditional folk singer, songwriter and guitarist. He sings of Scottish heroes and of stories of our lost past and long forgotten voices.  Gaughan has been playing the circuits both at home and abroad for many years now and he is a legend among folk circles. He is also one of the most down-to-earth and likeable artists without pretensions of any kind.  

He sang songs by Brian McNeill, Robert Burns, Ewan McColl and Gaughan - What You Do With What you've Got, Yew Tree, Outlaws and Dreamers, No God and Few Heroes, Whatever Happened to We Shall Overcome, and the outstanding Burns song Westlin Winds.

 
He prefers to learn from the generations before that have all the knowledge. ‘If you're lucky you can add a wee bit'   He said, 'I don't go for autobiographical songs, there's more interesting topics than me.’ He took traditional folk stories and songs from the library archives and put new melodies to them and he draws from both the Irish and Scottish folk traditions. He also spoke of legend songwriter Yip Harburg who wrote Over the Rainbow and Finnegan's Rainbow (who found a pot of gold and it destroyed him)     

His songs can seem hard hitting but are also full of thoughtful optimistic themes. Like American folk singer Dylan his songs and voice don't come easily to the shore and they tell of straight talking stories. He is also a stand out guitarist and plays with a unique style with open chords and dramatic timing that he learnt from guitarist Davy Graham. 



I first heard Gaughan play in the 70s in Edinburgh when I was dating a folk guitarist who raved about how incredible and very distinctive his playing was. Many years later I heard Dick again at Milngavie Folk club in 2007 and this was an intimate gig where his chat between songs was worth going for alone. 

One of the great troubadours of life's journeys. You come away from his gigs questioning but ultimately renewed in the faith of our shared humanity. He sang, 'Keep your eyes on the road ahead, Keep looking at the light.... '
At this gig I thought - music is not about how good an artist might feel about their music but rather how much joy they can give their audience.  

Gaughan was well supported by guitarists Robin Miller, and Mike Simons. 

Robin Miller
Its' not just what you're born with, but what you do with what you've got.
What's the use of two strong legs, if you only run away.
And what use is the finest voice if you've nothing good to say?
What's the use of two good ears, if you don't hear those you love.
Words &  Music by Si Kahn

He sang not of resolutions but of holding on to your vision. Gaughan was warmly received and seemed to enjoy the gig. I felt that his substance, refreshing honesty and questioning words must have impacted on the younger members of the audience and on the older ones too!  Dick Gaughan Photo gallery - http://pkimage.co.uk/dickgaughan