 |
| Opening concert Siobhan Miller & Kris Drever |
Celebration this year of 25 years of Celtic
connections music festival
‘The Sights and
Sounds of Celtic Connections’
from the many lights overhead of the Danny Kyle stage
that illuminate the aspirations of many young musicians; to those playing
accordion, Uilleann pipes pipes , fiddle or
piano in the concert hall foyer; the photographers images of concerts they’ve
enjoyed; the old oak warmth of the atmospheric Old Fruitmarket where folk
musicians or ceilidh bands never cease to amaze; to the packed anticipation of
the concert hall audiences for another year of Celtic cheer to lift the gloom
of January chills – and as the snow
falls on the opening night I feel grateful to be there! To the last Transatlantic
Sessions concert when the days are longer.
*Highlights for me this year were – Vibrant line up at the Opening concert; Beth Orton; Bothy Culture and Beyond; Tribute concert Old
Fruitmarket for Dick Gaughan; film
composer Max Richter; Shawn Colvin; Session A9; Transatlantic Sessions;
*Tribute concerts –
‘Arrest this Moment’ for
Michael Marra; Tribute concert for Dick
Gaughan.
 |
| Saltfishforty |
 |
| Niteworks |
One of the more interesting aspects of the festival is
spotting the new talents emerging.
*The young musicians who drew attentions this year – Talisk, Siobhan
Miller, Siobhan Wilson, Friel Sisters, Rura, Alasdair Roberts, Kathryn Joseph, Misha
Macpherson, Elephant Sessions, Saltfishforty Rose Code Blue.
*Danny Kyle Stage Winners 2018,
Dlu band, Lynne Carson, The Canny band, Galloway,
Savannah Donolnoe and Charlie, Joel Gardner, Sam Begbie and Joe Doyle,
*International artists and visitors included - Cuban
singer Juan de Marcos and Americans Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan.
Northern Celtic Routes - Connections to our Gaelic Irish cousins
and also our strong links to Northern Celtic Routes from Norway, Canada, Finland and
Sweden. Swedish accordionist Leif Ottossen. Quebec quartet Le Vent du Nord. This
year Celtic connections twinned with Ireland.
 |
| Beth Orton |
 |
| Eddi Reader |
 |
| Julie Fowlis |
On top of this CC hosts film, art
exhibitions, workshops, ceilidh nights, talks, late sessions,
The biggest audience for Gaelic scots
music at Bothy Culture and Beyond. Plus a whisky festival at SWg1. The FILM, the
Groove is not trivial path to joy - social change through the arts.
The 18 days of the festival - Over
300 events over 26 stages and ticket sales over 130,000. Over the last 25 years
the festival has grown at an unprecedented rate, increasing from 66 events in 1
venue with 27,000 attendees in 1994 to 172 events across 11 stages. to now over
350 events across 28 stages and an attendance figure of over 130,000.
There is always such a wide variety , eclectic, accomplished
line up – from established and emerging talents.
Celtic Connections offers subtle intonation, creative
musicianship, artistic storytelling, friendly collaborations.
 |
| Bothy Culture & Beyond |
My Top Celtic concerts
I have enjoyed some of my best ever concerts at Celtic
Connections – The opening concert with the GRIT orchestra, Cara Dillon, Rura
the Old Fruitmarket, Jerry Douglas and his band, the legendary Rab Noakes and
Dick Gaughan. Mary Chapman Carpenter, Richard Thompson, The Chieftains, Punch
Brothers, concert for Gerry Rafferty; concert for Michael Marra, the awesome
Transatlantic Sessions, beautiful Gaelic singers – Julie Fowlis, Karen
Matheson, Rhiannon Gibbons.
Celtic Connections 25th festival!
 |
| Martin Simpson & Tony McManus |
 |
| Sharon Shannon |
 |
| Far Far from Ypres |
