Highland names light up Celtic Connections 2023 music programme
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Many musicians from the Highlands are set to perform at Europe’s largest winter music festival – Celtic Connections – taking place in Glasgow between Thursday, January 19-Sunday, February 5.
Fiddle legend Duncan Chisholm, accordion extraordinaire John Somerville, Errogie fiddler Adam Sutherland, Highland step dancer Sophie Stephenson, multi-instrumentalist Siobhan Wilson, Garmouth musician Calum Stewart, Blazin Fiddles’ Anna Massie, Bruce MacGregor and Rua MacMillan, and Breabach’s Euan Robertson will join more than 1,000 fellow musicians from across the world taking part in the 18-day showcase of events spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music.
The UK’s premier roots music festival has brightened up the dark and gloomy winter nightsof January and early February for the past three decades with hundreds of performances, landmark musical collaborations, talks, workshops, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions each year.
Celtic Connections 2023 will be the 30th edition of the world-famous festival, and will recognise the advancements and achievements of the last 30 years and all that organisers have overcome to bring people together in a defining cultural celebration. It will also acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of the Scottish music scene, and the live entertainment industry, in the face of adversity.
As ever, Highland artists will be right at the heart of the action, joining international sensations, rising stars and homegrown talent alike in entertaining loyal audiences flocking to Glasgow for the annual event.
Adam Sutherland will host a Brew and a Blether at the newly refurbished Mackintosh at the Willow Tea Rooms on Thursday, January 26 and on Thursday, February 2.
The fiddler will chat to festival artists in the intimate and stunning setting, skilfully guiding the conversation, finding out what makes the guests tick and what drives them to do what they do.
Adam will also join Hamish Napier at The Mackintosh Church on Saturday, February 4 for their show Nae Plans. The two musicians will take to the stage without knowing what they are about to play, making for an exciting, totally unique experience for audience members and performers alike.
Euan Robertson is set to delight crowds with fellow Breabach members at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday, January 27. Ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite their deep roots in Highlands and Islands tradition with innovative musical concepts.
Treacherous Orchestra co-founder John Somerville will steer the Strands: 30th Anniversary Youth Concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’s New Auditorium on Saturday, January 28. In joint celebration of Celtic Connections’ 30th edition and its pioneering education programme, young musicians come together from regions across Scotland, showcasing their home traditions before premièring a brand-new ensemble composition written especially by John.
Dance artist, teacher and performer Sophie Stephenson, who specialises in a close to the floor style of percussive step dance with Scottish origins, will perform on stage with Garmouth’s Calum Stewart at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’s Strathclyde Suite on Saturday, January 28.
A successful Uilleann piper, flautist and composer, Calum has a powerful and lyrical playing style, which is rooted in the traditional music of his native Northern Scotland. Alongside Sophie, Calum will be joined by Sylvain Quéré on bouzouki and Ross Saunders on the bass to create a vibrant and dynamic quartet.
Anna Massie, Bruce MacGregor and Rua MacMillan will join their Blazin’ Fiddles bandmates at Theatre Royal on Saturday, January 28.
Blazin’ Fiddles brings together a wealth of musical talent from across the Highlands and Islands. Formed in 1998, the band has released numerous albums on their own Blazin’ Records label and delighted audiences worldwide with electrifying live shows.
Duncan Chisholm will premier his much-anticipated new album Black Cuillin at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday, February 2.
Drawing inspiration from the mountain wilderness on the Isle of Skye, Black Cuillin will bring landscapes of sound together. Duncan will be joined on stage by a seven-piece band, a string ensemble and several special guests.
Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to the 30th edition of Celtic Connections in Glasgow – it’s set to be a really special start to the new year.
“We’re always thrilled to be able to showcase brilliant Scottish artists from across the country and we’re looking forward to seeing them entertain crowds on this international stage this January.”
Tickets for Celtic Connections 2023: celticconnections.com
