Celtic Connections 2022 opens
Europe's premier winter music festival Celtic Connections opened in Glasgow last night showcasing uplifting performances from some of folk's brightest emerging talent.
Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 21 January 2022 11:01
The Opening Concert ‘Neath the Gloamin’ Star was staged at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in front of 200 lucky audience members. Named after a beloved old Scots love song, the show marked a poignant opening moment for the much-loved roots festival as it celebrated how precious heritage is being taken forward into a new tradition.
This year’s hybrid Celtic Connections programme spans around 60 lively in-person concerts, a number of intimate filming sessions, an exciting digital offering and a number of talks and exhibitions, with more than 500 artists involved across the festival.
Tickets for live in-person shows are already on sale now, while tickets for online festival passes go on sale at 3pm today. Digital passes will give audiences from around the world access to more than 12 hours of exclusive performances available to watch from Wednesday 26th January.
Artists involved include Dublin-based quartet The Jeremiahs, flute / whistle genius Brian Finnegan, world-folk sensations Dallahan, Nordic-inspired folk group Stundom and Gaelic singer Megan Henderson. Magnificent duo performances from Heal and Harrow (Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl) and Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey are also on the bill.
The New Tradition: Rejuvenation show will showcase young emerging artists, led by musical director Rory Matheson and a New Voices commission from singer songwriter Jack Badcock will also be available to enjoy as part of the pass.
This weekend will also see two specially-commissioned Shetland 550 shows filmed for the online programme in front of limited-capacity audiences. 550 years on from the islands becoming part of Scotland, Norn Voices and A Peerie Foy - part of the festival’s Whisper the Song strand for Scotland’s Year of Stories - will celebrate Shetland’s unique cultural history and identity.
Saturday night’s Shetland spectacular will open in style with a celebratory Viking torch-lit march through the streets of Glasgow. A group of more than 30 male and female Vikings, will journey to the bottom of the steps of the Royal Concert Hall to welcome audiences with flaming torches, cheers and songs celebrating Up Helly Aa. The spectacle will mark an unforgettable start to an evening involving Shetland’s foremost cultural ambassadors.
From Monday 24th January, live music in front of in-person audiences will take centre stage, breathing life and joy into venues across Glasgow - from Mackintosh Church to The Old Fruitmarket - with the usual dynamic array of traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, indie, soul and world music brightening up the city for two weeks.
Highlights include the renowned British Indian sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar who will perform her father’s iconic Concerto No.3 with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Friday 28th January in the Royal Concert Hall. Support comes from the incredible Orchestral Qawwali Project featuring the soaring vocals of Abi Sampa, the UK’s first female qawwal, together with tabla player Amrit Singh, and singer/composer Rushil, who combine the ancient Sufi devotional tradition of qawwali with modern orchestral arrangements.
Elsewhere, the iconic Mitchell Theatre will play host to some exciting events putting Scotland’s rich oral traditions in the spotlight for the Year of Stories 2022. The Scottish World, featuring writer, performer and broadcaster Billy Kay and singers Siobhan Miller and Robyn Stapleton will look at how tales of Scotland travelled with and were reimagined by the Diaspora, while Sing Me a Story will see the storytelling tradition of the Gàidhealtachd championed.
Grammy-nominated, Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer, songwriter and vocalist Arooj Aftab - who names Barrack Obama among her legion of fans - will bring her critically-acclaimed sound to the Mackintosh Church, and sparks are set to fly when the mighty RURA play The Theatre Royal.
Maverick musical duo, Nae Plans, aka fiddler Adam Sutherland and pianist/flautist/singer Hamish Napier, will perform as part of the festival’s Tradovation strand supported by The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund.
With support from polish-born cellist Justyna Jablonska and South Indian violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, multi-award-winning Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie will treat fans to his brilliantly original music, rooted in Scottish folk and international jazz. Additional New Voices commissions come from harp player and vocalist Esther Swift and fiddler Ross Couper.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “The opening weekend of Celtic Connections is always a memorable moment for us but this year, we are particularly proud to lift the curtain on our 29th edition. The festival has never shied away from ambition and we’re very excited to still be able to present such a vibrant programme, covering live shows, filming sessions and digital content. Despite the challenging environment we’ve been operating in, we have been driven by our passion for Scottish music and culture and opportunities for unforgettable collaboration. We look forward to reconnecting with our audiences at home and around the world over the next few weeks.”
The safety of audiences, artists and suppliers has been put at the centre of all the plans for this year’s festival, with all necessary public health measures in line with Government guidelines in place.
To see the full programme for Celtic Connections 2022 and buy tickets visit: www.celticconnections.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Calling all Gingers!
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a bonus ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 11th January!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical
Full casting has been announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical which will have its Scottish premiere at The King's Theatre Glasgow in April!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Silverburn expands leisure offering with new Pilates studio
Silverburn guests can kick-start their 2026 wellness journey with the arrival of the first Haus of Pilates studio.
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Christmas has come early! Glasgow youngster wins the entire DreamToys list in national competition
One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
The River Inn launches dream wedding reception giveaway worth thousands
One lucky couple to win a luxury wedding reception for up to 100 guests... completely free!
READ MORE
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong crashes into the Kings Theatre Glasgow
Multi-award winning company Mischief return to the King's Theatre Glasgow with their new stage show – Christmas Carol Goes Wrong!
READ MORE
Christmas drawing by 11 year old Glasgow schoolgirl lights up the city
An 11-year-old Glasgow schoolgirl has seen her Christmas drawing light up the city after it was transformed into a glowing display as part of this year’s festive light trail.
READ MORE
Scottish Doctor Who actor to lead The Woman in Black at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, as it returns to the Theatre Royal Glasgow.
READ MORE
Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow
The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative
Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026
The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.
READ MORE
Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn
Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.
READ MORE
90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls
Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.
READ MORE
Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn
Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORE
Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry
STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links