Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 16 January 2019 11:10
Around 100 young musicians from across Scotland and Showcase Scotland partner-country Galicia will take to the stage of the Main Auditorium at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, alongside some of the most well-respected Scottish musicians to have emerged since the festival first began in 1994.
Syne of the Times will star young musical talent from the 45 Fèisean (Scottish Gaelic Arts Youth Tuition Festivals) now held annually around Scotland, the Orcadian youth music project Hadhirgaan and Galician folk orchestra SonDeSeu. Artists including Julie Fowlis, Duncan Chisholm, Lauren MacColl, Michael McGoldrick, Donald Shaw, Aidan O’Rourke, Brighde Chaimbeul and recently crowned Trad Awards ‘Folk band of the Year’ Daimh will be among a host of other special guests performing as part of the Celtic Connections Opening Concert for 2019. This very special show will celebrate the passing on of the tradition through generations.
It will be the first of over 300 events featuring more than 2,000 musicians from around the world, taking place in venues across Glasgow until Sunday 3 February.
The packed programme features a host of concerts including one-off musical collaborations and special commissions alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.
In a programme rich with Audio-Visual shows, highlights include the world premieres of Brave in Concert and The Bard’s Tale.
The hugely popular Disney movie Brave will be screened with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performing the music from the film live, alongside solo performances from artists who appeared on the original soundtrack. The score was written by award winning Glasgow-born composer Patrick Doyle, who the festival will also be celebrating with a special one-off show to mark his 65th birthday.
For the first time Gaelic culture and the gaming world collide with The Bard’s Tale. Featuring the sublime voices of Kathleen MacInnes, Fiona Hunter, Eilidh Cormack, Kim Carnie and Mackenzie, Simple Minds bassist Ged Grimes, who has also composed all of the live music, will lead a stellar backing line-up of Gregor Philp, Ali Hutton, Innes White, Màiri Chaimbeul, Martin O’Neill, Ewen Henderson and Brian McAlpine. This show will be a virtual quest through 18th century Scotland incorporating synchronised video, gameplay, drama, and live music that was originally composed for the computer game The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep.
Experience a sonic encounter of voice, guitar, gamelan, percussion and strings in singer and composer Susheela Raman’s performance with contemporary Indonesian gamelan players, GHOST GAMELAN. Opening will be a creative new project by Tom Bancroft that focuses on the common ground between Scottish music, jazz, Indian music and electronica.
Other World music highlights include Malian quartet Songhoy Blues and Fado star Mariza.
Born into one of West Africa’s principal griot families, multi-talented Gambian/British artist Sona Jobarteh is the first woman of such lineage to attain virtuoso status on the kora, interrupting seven centuries of exclusively male tradition. Sona will play the Queen Margaret Union over the first weekend, with 2019 marking the first year the festival will be using the West End venue.
Also taking place in the Queen Margaret Union will be Baile air Bhoil. Following previous joint promotions by Glasgow University, Ceòl ’s Craic and An Lòchran, Gaelic club night Baile air Bhoil makes its Celtic Connections debut, headlined by two of Gaelic music’s most innovative acts. Now expanded to a five piece, including Josie Duncan’s transcendent vocals, Inyal craft boldly panoramic soundscapes, alternately epic and ethereal, fusing fiddles, uilleann pipes, whistle and guitar with synth, electronics and drums. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Griogair’s current project sees him fusing original spoken-word poetry with hiphop production, also incorporating jazz, soul and African sounds. Special guests include inspirational Jamaican singer Brina, Malian percussionist and kora player Kalifa Kone and Skye DJ/producer Jamie Shaka.
Music created at song writing workshops run by Glasgow’s Vox Liminis Distant Voices organisation, which brought together Scottish musicians with people affected by criminal justice issues and featured on the 2018 album Not Known at This Address, will be performed live by co-writers Kris Drever, C Duncan, Emma Pollock, Admiral Fallow, Rachel Sermanni, Pronto Mama, Fiskur and Donna Maciocia. The Distant Voices project will also be explored in a talk and discussion.
Musicians from Celtic Connections 2019 international partner, Galicia, will perform a series of shows, and music industry delegates will attend Showcase Scotland, which provides a platform for Scottish musicians to develop their careers.
11,000 school children will learn about, enjoy and be inspired by celtic music through a series of free morning concerts and workshops as part of the Celtic Connections Education Programme.
To see the full programme for Celtic Connections 2019 and buy tickets visit: www.celticconnections.com
Ellie Leach, reigning champion of Strictly Come Dancing, will make her stage acting debut as Miss Scarlett in the world premiere UK tour of Cluedo 2!
READ MOREThe exclusive 4-year deal will see fan-favourites like Pravha, Madri Excepcional and more on tap at Scotland's home of live entertainment.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREGlasgow Cocktail Week has officially kicked off with a first look at the event's new boujee bar Courtyard Bar and event space in the stunning surroundings of Princes Square.
READ MORE34.2 million Brits admit to ditching work and responsibilities for sporting events.
READ MOREBritish fashion label AllSaints has joined the line-up at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn, representing a fashion coup for the centre.
READ MOREGlasgow's most popular brunch series, VEGA's Brunch Project, will bring all of the 90s nostalgia and Ibiza island vibes to the city centre this spring for sky-high boujee brunches like no other.
READ MOREVisitors are invited to celebrate National Tea Day with a complimentary gift of tea and biscuits from the popular tea store, Whittard of Chelsea at Buchanan Galleries.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREButeFest, the much-loved family-friendly music festival on the Isle of Bute, has confirmed the lineup for this year's edition, set to take place between Friday 26th - Sunday 28th July.
READ MOREAye Write has confirmed stand-alone events and a smaller-scale version of Wee Write in 2024, instead of the full festival going ahead.
READ MOREGlasgow Cocktail Week has unveiled a series of cocktail trails mapping out the very best discounted drinks across the city including its first ever 'No and Low' trail.
READ MOREScotland's home of country, Maggie's Rock 'n' Rodeo, is inviting folk to grab the mic at its new Sunday afternoon event – The Hoedown Hoe-K-Oke, launching Sunday 5th May!
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREBroadway and West End phenomenon Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting back to Glasgow in a brand-new production starring Strictly's Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge!
READ MOREThe People's Palace, Glasgow will close its doors for the final time on Sunday 14th April, ahead of a major refurbishment.
READ MOREDon't miss out on the Baby & Toddler Show when it returns to Glasgow at the SEC, Glasgow on 19th - 21st April!
READ MOREThe Theatre Royal, Glasgow is one the latest venues set to see the National Theatre's global smash-hit production of War Horse visit as part of a major 18-month UK and Ireland tour.
READ MOREWith a new season brings new flavours and Glasgow Restaurant Week is set to shine a spotlight on the very best dishes and delights the city has to offer, when it kicks off tomorrow!
READ MOREFollowing its purchase by M Core in February, Buchanan Street’s iconic Princes Square has announced a trio of new tenants who will be opening stores in the centre.
READ MORECalling all golfers! Topgolf Glasgow is hosting 'The Final Round – Live' on Sunday 14th April, it's an unmissable event to celebrate golf's most prestigious tournament!
READ MOREA project set up to ensure culture and heritage are at the heart of the regeneration of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street has secured a significant grant to help achieve its vision.
READ MOREEnergy efficiency will take centre stage at this year’s Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, sponsored by Fleming Homes, when it returns to the SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREGlasgow International Comedy Festival has revealed 2024's edition was a record-breaking year, with the highest number of shows in the festival's history!
READ MOREGlasgow East End-based and artist-led charity Strange Field announces its first programme of major exhibitions and events.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREA critically acclaimed show loved by theatre lovers around the world has announced it will be partnering with a leading Scottish charity to raise vital funds for LGBTQ+ young people.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"