Tonight’s welcome return Opening Concert of Celtic Connections the world leading folk and roots music festival, began with the dramatic horn blowing of an ancient Celtic instrument the Carnyx, (a wind instrument used by the Celts during the Iron Age, between c. 200 BCE and c. 200 CE), brought over the heads of the venue.
Glasgow 850 Opening concert, heralded the start of the city’s year-long 850th birthday celebration. ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’ is the motto on the city’s coat of arms, and this special concert paid tribute to the city’s rich artistic heritage and flourishing future through a concert incorporating music, spoken-word, dance and film.
This concert was hosted by Siobhan Miller and Roddy Hart, and celebrated the breadth and talent of musicians, artists and poets Glasgow has produced and how this has fed into the very heart of Celtic Connections. Glasgow is a diverse, multi-cultural and vibrant city.
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| Glasgow Trad Collective |
First there was energetic reels and jigs from the Glasgow’s Trad Collective (of Ben Nevis bar). We had nostalgia with the Bluebell’s 80s song 'Young at Heart'. Behind the stage were projected black and white images of Glasgow by photographer – Oscar Marzaroli.
Glasgow was celebrated with performances by the Joyous choir of Maryhill, While the Indian collective Qawali Project raised the energy levels with warm applause. The talented pipers Ross Ainslie and Finlay Macdonald impressed as did the string ensemble who performed world-renowned Glasgow composer Craig Armstrong’s Immer (Forever).
Grammy award-winning American singer songwriter Madison Cunningham impressed with her haunting vocals on her song ‘Home’.Glaswegian James Grant, performed several Glasgow songs – and along with Siobhan Miller and Paul McKenna delighted us with their rendition of Michael Marra’s song “Mither Glasgow.” After which we were treated to a grand finale of multi-instrumentalists and uplifting tunes.
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| James Grant |
Glasgow has world class art galleries, and an ancient and leading university. Glasgow is the city of music and boasts world famous venues including the Barrowlands King Tuts, Oran Mor, Old Fruitmarket.
Image: 'Playing Ring, Gorbals, School Playground’ 1963, © Oscar Marzaroli Collection, courtesy of Street Level Photoworks.
From the permanent exhibition ‘Oscar Marzaroli’s Gorbals’ at Gorbals Library.
CELTIC CONNECTIONS - https://www.celticconnections.com
