N’famady Kouyaté, Celtic Connections festival 2022

N’famady Kouyaté, performed at the Theatre Royal as part of Celtic Connections festival 2022, to support Rura. 

Kouyate from Guinea (Conakry) provided an energetic support for Rura. He played a traditional wooden xylophone from westAfrica called a balaton, stoking the keys with strong dynamism! He plays modern interpretations of traditional West African Mandingue songs and rhythms. Kouyate is a multi-instrumentalist and has toured as support to Gruff Rhys on the Pang! album tour. He now lives in Wales - and next year for the 2023 festival, cc will partner with our Celtic cousins in Wales.

Neath the Gloamin Sky Opening Concert at Celtic Connections 2022

 

Hannah Rarity

The opening concert was hosted by the charismatic singer Hannah Rarity and Innes White, this wonderful concert included exciting Imar, and singers Jenny Strugeon, Fiona Hunter, Paul McKenna, Ellie Beaton, and Cameron Nixon. 

 

Alongside arrangements by the Alligin String Octet, which features Katrina Lee, Kana Kawashima, Seonaid Aitken, Kristan Harvey (violins), Patsy Reid, Rhoslyn Lawton (violas), Alice Allen and Julia Wagner (Cellos), and a house band that included the talents of Anna Massie and Megan MacDonald.

 

The concerts aim was for the young folk artists to celebrate the folk revival with their perfect harmonies, on both new and old songs. And Hannah Rarity on Bonny Glen Shee - with their honest heart and soul. Bring it on!

 

 

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 favourite PHOTOS

 

Celtic Connections PHOTOS

Some of my favourite Photos from the past years taking photos, from 2008, at Glasgow’s world leading folk and roots festival. 

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.