Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 25 October 2018 19:01
The 18 days of entertainment will brighten up the dark, wet January nights with a mixture of concerts that include a host of one-off musical collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.
Following last year’s 25th festival celebrations, when Celtic Connections welcomed over 2,300 artists from over 30 countries and recorded an exceptional 130,000 attendances, Celtic Connections will continue to grow and diversify in 2019.
Since the inaugural festival in 1994, when its 66 events centred around one venue and welcomed 27,000 attendees, Celtic Connections has become more adventurous, more experimental and more diverse. A huge range of musical genres are showcased across the 18 days, as well as genre-busting performances that defy any attempt at categorisation. The special commissions and creative collaborations that have made the festival so distinctive and internationally acclaimed will also continue to play a central part in Celtic Connections 2019.
The festivals’ first 25 years have witnessed the emergence of a myriad of young Scottish musicians, many going on to attain headline status - and plenty who weren’t even born when the festival began! The Celtic Connections Opening Concert will celebrate the passing on of traditions between generations, and will also mark 15 years since Harvest, 2004’s landmark opening show which teamed a battalion of then-youngsters with top Celtic soloists. The Opening Concert will welcome up to 70 emerging young talents to the stage, selected from the 45 Fèisean now held annually around Scotland, Orcadian youth music project Hadhirgaan, and Galician folk orchestra SonDeSeu. Working with the original composers, they’ll perform newly arranged excerpts of Duncan Chisholm’s 2007 Blas Festival commission Kin, Lauren MacColl’s The Seer, commissioned by Fèis Rois, and Harvest itself, along with material by Dàimh, Aidan O’Rourke, Brighde Chaimbeul and additional Pan Celtic special guests.
As usual the festival is graced with household names including Rhiannon Giddens, Cherish the Ladies, Graham Nash, Niteworks, Elephant Sessions, Bokanté, Loudon Wainwright III, Judy Collins, Ronnie Spector & the Ronettes, Kathy Mattea, Shooglenifty and Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert.
From the World music scene Celtic Connections 2019 will welcome Benjamin Clementine, Delgres, The Como Mamas, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Mariza and Bassekou Kouyate.
Last year it was announced that the programming team would expand, and a number of ghost programmers have been involved in the artistic direction of Celtic Connections 2019. The growth of the programming team has allowed for Creative Producer Donald Shaw to work on developing the festival to its fullest potential to safeguard the longevity and musical integrity of what has become such an internationally acclaimed event.
The festival will run from Thursday 17 January to Sunday 3 February 2019 and full listings can be found at www.celticconnections.com
Eddi Reader is set to take her highly anticipated 2024 spring tour to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 28th April!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREThe winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award will be announced at GICF's Comedy Gala on Saturday 30th March at the city's King's Theatre!
READ MOREWest End star Steven Webb (Oliver!, Book of Mormon) will join the cast of Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again when it comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow in October!
READ MORENot managed to get your hands on Glastonbury tickets? There's a chance to see some of the artists performing at TRNSMT hot off the heels of their Worthy Farm appearance!
READ MORECineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, will be holding its seventh annual IMAX Film Fest on Saturday 20th April 2024 with tickets on sale for just £3!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREThis spring, Mamasan in Glasgow is set to redefine the Southeast Asian dining experience with the introduction of an innovative new casual dining menu.
READ MOREA new blockbuster exhibition showcasing Sir William Burrell’s complete collection of prized works by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (1834-1917) will open at The Burrell Collection on Friday 24th May.
READ MORECelebrity interior designer and broadcaster Anna Campbell-Jones is set to host a special event in The Mitchell Library in Glasgow on Thursday 14th March to discuss sustainable home renovations.
READ MOREComedy giant Paul Whitehouse is to reprise his West End starring role as the lovable Grandad in the smash hit show Only Fools and Horses The Musical coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow!
READ MOREThe forward-thinking Govan Music Festival opens in Glasgow today as it gears up for four days of progressive performances and inclusive cultural participation at venues across the historic district.
READ MORECoronation Street star Sue Cleaver will swap the Rovers Return for rosary beads as Mother Superior in the UK and Ireland tour of Olivier Award nominated production, Sister Act The Musical!
READ MOREThis year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961), the longest-lived and most international of the pioneering group of artists known as the Scottish Colourists.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREToday, the producers of the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray are delighted to announce initial casting for the smash hit musical coming to the King's Theatre Glasgow!
READ MOREBringing together two leaders within the dance world, an Accident / a Life is an exciting collaboration between Marc Brew and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
READ MORENew wine brand, Greasy Fingers, partners with top burger chefs to develop the ultimate burger and wine pairings!
READ MOREProducers of the global sensation & JULIET are delighted to announce Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Sandra Marvin as Angélique and Lara Denning as Anne in the upcoming UK tour!
READ MOREGlasgow Film Festival Industry Focus has unveiled its 10-Year Vision for Glasgow Film Festival's Industry programme, with ambitious plans to become the UK's main destination for independent filmmakers
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREA popular spot in Glasgow, Mikaku, has officially launched its new food offering in its existing site at 45 Queen Street.
READ MOREComedians Chris Forbes and Josie Long marked 1 week to go until Glasgow Comedy Festival kicks off by performing their shortest sets ever in city centre bar VEGA's very own disco lift!
READ MOREFan-favourite and winner of Best New Musical (What'sOnStage Awards 2023), Bonnie & Clyde The Musical has announced full casting for the production's first ever UK & Ireland tour!
READ MOREPlatform, one of Glasgow's coolest venues, is set to mark its sixth birthday anniversary with a series of exciting events and special customer incentives throughout March!
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREThe Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, will be back at the SEC Glasgow on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May.
READ MOREProvand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, will reopen on Friday 29th March 2024, the charity Glasgow Life has confirmed.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"