Celtic Connections

Two concerts in two days.  Loads of musicians.  Very different styles.  Same spirit.  The musicians appeared more than just happy to be performing, they seemed inspired, energized.  There is an incredible spark.  I think this festival is just as much for the musicians as anyone.  As an untalented observer, I love this amazing opportunity to watch them as they celebrate tunes of old, showcase their talent, and create beautiful new collaborations.


Celtic Connections is an 18 day festival celebrating Celtic music and its connections to cultures around the world.  This year marks its 20th year.  Each day there are events in many venues around Glasgow and each event is packed with a collection of talented artists.  How else do you pack 2,100 musicians into about two weeks?  It has been hard for me to decide to what to see but the beauty is that because of so much going on, you can be a bit spontaneous.  Some shows have sold out early but the selection is so deep that I was able to get tickets for the Sunday show just the day before.

My first show was the Sabhal Mor Ostaig 40th celebration concert in Glasgow City Halls.  Current and past tutors, alumni, and students of the college, which is located on the Isle of Skye and committed to the development and enhancement of Gaelic language, culture, heritage and arts, put together a stunning show.

Solo piping performances warmed us up at the start (Dr Decker Forrest) and right after the intermission (Allen Macdonald).  Highlights for me were Christine Primrose's enchanting singing, Margaret Stewart and piper Angus Nicholson pibroch love song creation, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas fiddle and cello, and maybe predictably, Julie Fowlis.  Julie Fowlis was just brilliant.

Three hours of listening to traditional artists and melodic Gaelic in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere from the last row of the balcony of a packed City Halls with excellent acoustics.  Wow.

















My pre-show view at City Halls.


My second treat of the weekend was the inaugural Roaming Roots Revue with a tribute to the late Levon Helm's midnight rambles held at the Royal Concert Hall. This was billed as an Indie version of the Transatlantic sessions that have been a mainstay at Celtic Connections. With Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Dove as the house band, artists from Scotland, England and Ireland were joined with ones from across the Atlantic and Levon Helm's daughter, Amy Helm. They each performed some of their own pieces and then a selection of The Band.

The list of artists: Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Dove, Gemma Hayes, Louis Abbott and Kevin Brolly from Admiral Fallow, Peter Kelly known as Beerjacket, Beth Orton, Ben Knox Miller from The Low Anthem, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Rachel Sermanni, Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit, Amy Helm, and Lau.  I mean, really?

Apart from hearing a few of them on the radio, this was my introduction to each of these artists.  I am now a fan of each one of them.  Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Dove tore it up with Stagefright and Up On Cripple Creek.  Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) and Peter Kelly (Beerjacket) both caught me off guard with their expressive voices.  Amy Helm and her musicians exuded a confidence and soulful groove.  Gemma Hayes brought tears to my eyes with her heartfelt performance of Shock to My System.  The gig finished with everyone on stage singing They Drove Old Dixie Down and The Weight and to a well deserved standing ovation.

It is easy to enjoy watching talented musicians lose themselves in their music, stepping out of their comfort zones and shining, and feeding off each other's energy.

My view of the gig was awesome.   Thoroughly enjoyed the side stage angle.  Although I missed the dramatic collapse of the keyboard and any artist standing on this side of the stage.  Great show.

There are more shows on my agenda (no, I am not going out every night) ending with a sentimental favorite of mine.  Well done Celtic Connections.