The Celtic Connections Opening concert was organised by pianist Dave Milligan, one of the 1994 performers, to celebrate the world biggest folk, world and roots festival 25th Anniversary - with a packed line up of the quality and breadth offered by the festival.
Maya Youssef |
Saltfishforty |
The line
up included - *Pipers Turst; Saltfishforty who had flown down
from Orkney, Siobhan Miller, sang Quiet Grave, winner of Traditional singer;
Michael McGoldrick Trio; Louis Abbott, singer Admiral Fallow; Maya Youssef,
from Syria; The String Sisters; Far Far from Ypres with Ian McCalman;
Second set – *Festival favourites Cherish the Ladies; Drever McCusker
Woomble; Sian Shian, singers from Highlands and Islands; Sharat Chandra Srivastava and Gyan Singh; Sharon
Shannon, Irish accordionist; Eddie Reader, Scottish singer; Ross Ainslie and
Ali Hutton. Scottish pipers.
Sharon Shannon |
Collaborations
lift us higher – whether with the great artists of the past or in the present time
with other creatives. One thing is the ‘buzz’ that surrounds a top festival;
from the foot soldiers laying out the equipment, the seating, the lights, the
sound equipment, the instruments; to the Press Office – reviewers,
photographers, bloggers, the managers, organisers; to the session rehearsals,
sound checks and the spontaneity. From behind the scenes to the front of house,
all hope to perform at their best. Festivals are a celebration of the best
talent.
Cherish the Ladies |
Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton |
Sian |
For the
grand finale we were treated to the entire ensemble of musicians and singers
onstage for a rousing jam session!
The concert had haunting harmonies, excellent band line ups
and quality song interpretations.
This concert held the promise of the future and also some
footsteps past. The festival gives young talent a stage and many spoke of how
they got their starts here and how the festival brought them together.
Back in 1994, few could have foreseen how the festival would grow – it now has over 2000 artists, in 300 events at 20 venues over the 19 days of the festival. And includes Showcase Scotland, Danny Kyles open stage, late sessions, festival club, and more. I was able to shoot the entire concert and obtain a rich tapestry of this vibrant festival.
Congratulations to director Donald Shaw and the many who work to pull the festival together! To delve the traditions and push the boundaries.
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Far Far from Ypres |