The World Tunes in to Celtic Connections 2021!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 15 January 2021 9:24
44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight’s Celtic Connections Opening Concert. With over 10,000 passes already sold for the online festival, organisers can confirm that audiences from countries including Japan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Russia and South Korea will be logging in to view the first-of-its-kind online festival that has curated over 30 concerts set to take place across the next 19 days.
Celtic Connections has created unique digital content from specially commissioned projects and performances filmed across many of Glasgow’s much-loved venues. The international element, which the festival has become renowned for, is still very much a pivotal part of this year’s cultural offering as international artists have contributed to the eclectic line-up by recording performances remotely in over 10 countries.
Since its inception in 1994 Celtic Connections has welcomed the world to Glasgow but for the first time ever Celtic Connections will bring Glasgow and the music of Scotland to the world. The primary focus for this year’s festival is to reconnect with artists and audiences and to create a safe space for musicians to come together to play and make music. Musicians from at home in Scotland and across the world have created bespoke content for the loyal Celtic Connections audience to enjoy during the next 19 dark nights of winter. The festival programme, with over 30 shows and over 100 musicians, is both ambitious and diverse and delivers on a promise to promote wellbeing and optimism during these difficult times.
Celtic Connections is delivered by the charity Glasgow Life and is funded by Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland and The Scottish Government Festivals EXPO Fund.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “Every year we look forward to welcoming the world to Celtic Connections but this year we are delighted to be taking Celtic Connections to the world. We hope the next 19 days of entertainment reconnects music fans the world over and offers a hand of musical friendship to artists and audiences everywhere. Arts and music are such an important part of every nation’s culture and we hope that by showcasing our own rich musical legacy here in Scotland and the music of so many artists from across the world we can help instil a sense of hope and optimism that 2021 will bring with it a world in which the arts are celebrated and regain their rightful place as a vital part of society everywhere.”
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “The start of Celtic Connections is a moment every year which brings with it the promise of unforgettable performances in uplifting concerts. This year the festival feels particularly important as a way of linking people who would normally be heading to Glasgow from around the world to take part and enjoy all Celtic Connections offers. The response to online performances through ticket sales around the world has been fantastic and I hope everyone enjoys what is an exceptional line-up over the next 18 days.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I would like to thank the team behind Celtic Connections for their vision and innovation in bringing the festival to the world in 2021.
“For the past 26 years Celtic Connections has established itself as the main stage for audiences to enjoy and experience Scotland’s traditional music. This edition’s digital festival will captivate many more audiences from across the world by bringing online performances and events into homes for the first time.
“Through our EXPO fund, the Scottish Government has contributed £128,284 this year to support our fantastic Scottish and international artists to showcase their work in Celtic Connections’ unique digital concerts and performances.”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, said: “It’s only when the first notes are heard at the Celtic Connections Opening Concert that you can be sure the musical year has finally begun. The early days of January have tingled with excitement in the build-up to the 2021 festival and now, across 19 scintillating days and nights, audiences everywhere will be blown away by the infectious energy of the performers and the beauty of our magnificent venues. Glasgow has proved yet again that it has few rivals as a city of world-class music.”
The ‘All Access’ ticket is priced at £40 and this will give access to all of the concerts taking place across the 19 days. It is also now possible to purchase tickets for individual shows.
The Celtic Connections Rover Membership Programme is back for 2021 with a Celtic Rover Digital package that includes access to a host of exclusive Celtic Rover extras as well as the Celtic Connections Festival pass which gives the individual access to all of the festival content over the 19 days. The Celtic Rover Digital package is £45.
For full listing information and to purchase tickets visit www.celticconnections.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Calling all runners... grab a FREE post race drink from Flight Club Glasgow
Flight Club is inviting Glasgow AJ Bell Great Scottish Run participants to celebrate their incredible effort with a complimentary drink on Sunday 5th October!
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links