O Street proof by David Freer

13 – 30 JANUARY 2011 CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

SPONSORED BY

FUNDED BY

INTRODUCTION

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Donald Shaw Artistic Director

HOW TO BOOK… ONLINE www.celticconnections.com

Some concerts are seated and some are standing, this will be indicated beside the price on the relevant page. Ask our box office team about the chance to buy Premium Seats for concerts in the Main Auditorium.

OPENING TIMES PHONE

0141 353 8000

ONLINE 24 hours, 7 days a week PHONELINES Mon–Fri 9am–9pm Sat–Sun 10am–9pm BOX OFFICE COUNTER Mon–Sun 10am–9pm A transaction charge of £1 applies to all phone bookings and £1.50 to all online bookings.

IN PERSON

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY

Please note that all under 14s are to be accompanied by an adult in Glasgow’s Concert Halls. The O2 ABC Glasgow, Arches and Òran Mór are all over 14s only and under 16s should be accompanied by an adult. Limited door sales at each venue on the night subject to availability.

Only want to search for your favourite artist? Fancy trying something new? Find out all the latest info on artists, concerts and special events at this year’s festival at:

www.celticconnections.com All details were correct at time of going to print, but may be subject to change.

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QUICK

CONTENTS Introduction Rough Guide to Celtic Connections 2011 Torchlight Parade 2011

3 7 8

EVENTS GUIDE BY VENUE Concert Hall: Main Auditorium Old Fruitmarket Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite City Halls City Halls: Recital Room O2 ABC Glasgow CCA The Arches Òran Mòr St Andrew’s in the Square Tron Pacific Quay Glasgow Art Club FESTIVAL DIARY Talks Festival Club/Late Night Sessions/Piping Competition Workshops Fiddle and Cello School Whisky Workshops Open Stage/Showcase Scotland Quick Guide – A–Z Education Venue Map

9–17 18–25 26–33 34–36 37 38–42 43 44–45 46–49 50–53 54–56 58 60 8 PAGE PULL-OUT GUIDE 57 61 62–64 64 64 65 66–69 70 71

GUIDE… BROWSE events in each VENUE… in pages 8–60

CHECK what’s on in the EVENTS DIARY… 8 page pull-out guide

Search for your FAVOURITE ARTISTS… in the A–Z section pages 66–69

Want MORE?… Exhibitions, Workshops, Broadcasts, Talks and more… pages 33, 47, 55, 62–64

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

MAIN AUDITORIUM

Monumental Scott featuring Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson and Eddi Reader

Kepa Junkera and Friends KEPA JUNKERA

Nick drake

WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

THURSsday 20th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

As a suitably grand finale to the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake – whose publication marked the pinnacle of his popularity as a poet, and first established the Trossachs region as a top destination for tourists – this programme of music, song and spoken word includes the premiere of a specially-commissioned new work by accordionist Phil Cunningham. Creatively revisiting the same inspirational landscapes, together with their colourfully turbulent history, that so seminally fired Scott’s imagination, the piece will feature the peerless voices of Karen Matheson and Eddi Reader, among other special guests.

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In association with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

CONCERT HALL: Mountain Stage featuring Mavis Staples and Dougie MacLean

MAIN AUDITORIUM

The Highland Sessions Salsa Celtica

DOUGIE MACLEAN

MAVIS STAPLES

FRIDAY 21st January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

SATURDAY 22nd January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

In a major coup for Glasgow, Celtic Connections hosts the celebrated US radio show Mountain Stage, presenting its first ever live broadcast beyond American shores. The programme’s founding philosophy that all music is related dovetails perfectly with the festival’s own ethos, a meeting of minds and sounds that will air coast-to-coast on 130 radio stations Stateside.

Since time immemorial, the Highlands and islands have been a hugely fertile and influential cultural wellspring, one which continues immeasurably to enrich today’s international folk scene. This opulent past and present musical panoply is vibrantly embodied by the singers and instrumentalists featured here, who’ll be performing both in their own line-ups and in specially-created collaborative combinations.

Topping the bill is legendary gospel diva Mavis Staples – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, named by Rolling Stone among its 100 Greatest Singers of All Time – whose remarkable 60-year career scaled new artistic heights with her stunning 2010 album You Are Not Alone, a collaboration with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Flying the home flag will be timeless Scottish troubadour Dougie MacLean, with more very special guests to be announced.

Featuring multi-fiddle sensations Blazin’ Fiddles whose innovative contemporary arrangements showcase regional traditions from Shetland to Lochaber are joined by North Uist’s multi-award-winning Julie Fowlis, with her formidable Scottish/Irish band.

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The line-up is completed by three equally outstanding though contrasting exponents of Gaelic song: Barra-born pioneer Catherine-Ann MacPhee, whose early recordings blazed the trail for its ongoing revival since the 1990s, and the current leading heiress to that legacy, voicing the male Gaelic tradition will be Darren MacLean, as well as Calum Alex MacMillan of Dàimh, the rest of whose line-up – from as far afield as Canada and the US – also reflects the Highlands’ wider diaspora.

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

MAIN AUDITORIUM

The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bettye LaVette

Celtic Connections All-Star Ceilidh Band THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

CHARLIE DORE

Beth Nielsen chapman

SATURDAY 22nd January, 10.45pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £12, Standing & seated

SUNDAY 23rd January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

Take your partners, please! What better way to continue a night of classic Highland hospitality than in company with the Celtic Connections All-Star Ceilidh Band? Back by popular demand for the third consecutive year, and with the Concert Hall’s mainhouse stalls once again stripped out to create a suitably capacious dance-floor, brace yourselves for the impact of a truly formidable fiddle/accordion frontline, including Charlie McKerron, Allan Henderson, Eilidh Shaw, Archie McAllister, Phil Cunningham, Donald Shaw, Fergie MacDonald, Alasdair MacCuish and Gary Innes. The rhythm section features the no less legendary dance-band dream-team of pianist Tom Orr, bassist Alasdair MacLeod and drummer Fraser MacInnes, and in keeping with Highland ceilidh tradition, expect a few special guests to take a turn or two, while you catch your breath between dances.

Having first gained widespread attention in the 1983 premiere of Lee Breuer’s groundbreaking show The Gospel at Colonus, five-time Grammy-winners The Blind Boys of Alabama recently came full circle, starring in its latest production at the 2010 Edinburgh International Festival. For over 40 years before that popular breakthrough, though – since meeting at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939 – this timeless gospel ensemble had been spreading the word with their sublimely arrayed harmonies, influencing successive generations of soul, R&B and rock musicians. With a repertoire encompassing both gospel classics and contemporary spiritual material, they make music to glory in whatever your beliefs.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Mavis Staples continues to spread her creative wings, recording with the Drive By Truckers for her 2007 release Scene of the Crime, and reconnection classic British rock with its R&B roots on 2010’s Interpretations.

CONCERT HALL:

MAIN AUDITORIUM

Richard Thompson Band: The Dream Attic Tour

Forever Young – A 70th Birthday Tribute to Bob Dylan RICHARD THOMSON

TRILOK GURTU

MONDAY 24th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £27/£24, seated

TUESDAY 25th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £25/£22/£20, seated

Robert Allen Zimmerman turns 70 on May 24th 2011, a landmark birthday sure to be celebrated with many a memorable musical party. To kick off the festivities, Celtic Connections has assembled an aptly diverse Scottish and international cast of Dylan devotees, including Justin Currie, Tim O’Brien, Justin Townes Earle, Thea Gilmore, James Grant, Rab Noakes and Gemma Hayes, with Glasgow’s own Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire as house band for the evening. As well as featuring the singers’ pick of Dylan favourites, the show also highlights the strong Scottish influence over this uniquely seminal artist’s vast and varied oeuvre, in his adaptations and reinventions of such classic traditional ballads as Tramps and Hawkers (I Pity the Poor Immigrant), The Bonnie Lass O’ Fyvie (Pretty Peggy) and Lord Randall (A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall).

Having launched his solo career with 1972’s Henry the Human Fly - reportedly Warner Bros worst-selling album ever - Fairport Convention co-founder Richard Thompson has long been enjoying the last laugh, with a Top 20 place in Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Guitarists of All Time, an Ivor Novello Award and a BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award latterly charting his restless creative odyssey. Precious few artists of Thompson’s generation match his appetite for new musical challenges, or his reluctance to trade on past glories, as exemplified by his 2010 release Dream Attic: 13 brand-new songs written in one intensively inspired bout and recorded live on tour, with the latest electric (and electrifying) incarnation of The Richard Thompson Band. Those same trusty cohorts – multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn, drummer Michael Jerome, bassist Taras Prodaniuk and fiddler/mandolinist Joel Zifkin – join him tonight, for a uniquely eloquent, highoctane performance of favourites old and new.

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

MAIN AUDITORIUM

Seth Lakeman and The Fisherman’s Friends

The Waterboys: An Appointment With Mr Yeats the waterboys

SETH LAKEMAN

WEDNESDAY 26th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £23/£20/£18, seated

Sunday 30th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £30.50/£27.50, seated

The undisputed poster-boy of the Britfolk generation, Seth Lakeman has taken English roots music to new heights of popular and media acclaim. Building steadily on his Mercury-nominated 2005 release Kitty Jay, through the intervening (and also awardwinning) Freedom Fields and Poor Man’s Heaven, Lakeman achieved his most assertive artistic statement yet with 2010’s Hearts & Minds, produced by Tchad Blake (Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Peter Gabriel). With fierily rocked-up arrangements to the fore, and the songs shifting focus from his native Dartmoor lore to more personal and contemporary concerns, the album opens another exciting chapter in Lakeman’s allconquering career.

It will come as little surprise to longtime Waterboys fans that Mike Scott’s latest grandly ambitious enterprise, An Audience With Mr Yeats, is the fruit of more than 20 years’ gestation. Scott’s creative engagement with the iconic Irish poet dates back at least to his magical setting of “The Stolen Child” on 1988’s landmark Fisherman’s Blues album, and these 20 new songs inspired by Yeats’s work have been maturing in his mercurial imagination ever since. Their première in March 2010 at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre – cofounded by Yeats in 1904 – was hailed by the Irish Times as “not just the strongest collection of Waterboys songs since Fisherman’s Blues, but also a stunning reinvention of Yeats’s poetry.”With Scott fronting a lavishly extended Waterboys line-up, including fiddle maestro Steve Wickham, new Irish singer Katie Kim, Dublin singer-songwriter Joe Chester, Flook flautist Sarah Allen and Catalan trombonist Blaise Margail, the show also features a few freshly arranged back-catalogue classics.

Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends were the biggest folk music story of 2010, scoring a £1 million record deal after 15 years of entertaining summer visitors al fresco each Friday, by the harbour in their Cornish home town. Their rich, rugged harmonies and resonant shanty-based repertoire have now stirred the hearts of a worldwide audience.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

CONCERT HALL:

MAIN AUDITORIUM

Transatlantic Sessions Bruce Molsky

Cara Dillon

Dan Tyminski

Sara Watkins

Thursday 27th & Friday 28th January, 7.30pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall/Main Auditorium, £28/£25, seated After winning the 2010 Good Tradition title at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, then embarking on a first-ever UK tour, the Transatlantic Sessions settle back into their original live home, magically transforming the Concert Hall stage into the back porch of your dreams. The show’s rapturous ovations up and down the country echoed the audience response every year at Celtic Connections, and the 2011 line-up is sure to be no exception. As with the concerts’ companion BBC TV series – also featuring Shetland fiddle icon Aly Bain and dobro deity Jerry Douglas as joint musical directors - the secret of their cumulative success is the dynamic between longtime stalwarts of the line-up and new or occasional contributors, balancing (often hilariously) relaxed familiarity with the revelatory potential of fresh encounters. The historic kinship of Old and New World traditions, which both programmes and performances set out to explore, continues to bear new 21st-century fruit, making the common ground mapped during these two nights one of today’s richest musical territories. SPONSORED BY

While none of our guests are less than special, it’s a particularly opportune juncture to welcome Ireland’s tirelessly creative Paul Brady, who recently followed up 2009’s rerelease of his landmark LP Welcome Here Kind Stranger with a career-best collection of new originals, Hooba Dooba. Likewise Allison Moorer, who attained a similar distinction with 2010’s soul-searching, stripped-down Crows. Transatlantic Sessions debutante Ashley Cleveland, accompanied by her guitarist husband Kenny Greenberg, is a triple Grammy-winning spiritual/gospel singer of extraordinary potency, while Julie Fowlis’s vocal eloquence equally treasures and transcends her Gaelic heritage. US roots doyens Tim O’Brien and Cold Mountain star, Dirk Powell, once again grace the proceedings with their vocal and multi-instrumental prowess, flanked as ever by a crème-de-la-crème ‘house band’ including Phil Cunningham, Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker, James Mackintosh and Donald Shaw.

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

OLD FRUITMARKET Cheikh Lô, OqueStrada and The Salem Tradition

Grant Lee Buffalo and Support cheikh lô

grant lee buffalo

Friday 14th January, 9.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £18, STANDING

Saturday 15th January, 8.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, Standing

Famed in the 90s for albums Fuzzy, Mighty Joe Moon, Copperopolis and Jubilee, Grant Lee Buffalo were one of the leading lights of the American alt-rock scene... Now the original GLB line-up of Grant-Lee Phillips, Paul Kimble and Joey Peters have reformed and return for a very special performance.

With his new album Jamm, the stellar Senegalese singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist Cheikh Lô distils anew the diverse African and international influences on his maverick, mercurial music, including mbalax, highlife, Congolese rumba, Cuban son, reggae and funk. “It’s a melting pot!” Lô says. “It’s like a big basket, with some cheese here, some bread there, some chocolate and a cocktail on the side. There’s something for everyone.”

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Portuguese sextet OqueStrada also mix their vividly distinctive musical colours from a broad multicultural palette, with tinges of fado, morna, Cape Verdean funaná, Angolan semba, Brazilian music, ska and flamenco infusing their exuberant, multilingual songs, backed with guitars, accordion, trumpet and double bass. Completing the line up for this world music extravaganza is Reunion Island band The Salem Tradition who subtly mix the music of Indian Ocean with African rhythms using local traditional instruments.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

OLD FRUITMARKET …

Sunday 16th January, 8pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, Standing

TUESDAY 18TH January, ?pm Old Fruitmarket, £?, STANDING

Two years on from their triumphant debut gig at Celtic Connections, Scottish/Canadian supergroup The Burns Unit muster again in Glasgow, after rave reviews for their 2010 album Side Show. First brought together by the Burnsong project, they brilliantly fulfil that founding brief of making new music “in the spirit of Burns”, demolishing genre boundaries with such originality, artistry and élan as to do Rabbie proud. Their richly kaleidoscopic sound, self-styled as “indie pop meets carnival rock”, unites a sumptuous panoply of voices, songcraft and instrumentation, featuring King Creosote, Karine Polwart, Emma Pollock, Future Pilot AKA, MC Soom T, Kim Edgar, Mattie Foulds and Michael Johnston.

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the burns unit

The Burns Unit and Support

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

OLD FRUITMARKET

Otros Aires and Rough Coast Audio

Steele the Show davy steele

otros aires

WEDNESDAY 19th January, 8pm Old Fruitmarket, £14, Seated & Standing areas

THURSDAY 20th January, 8pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, Seated & Standing areas

Argentina’s Otros Aires create a cutting-edge synthesis of classic tango with electronica, rock and urban dance beats. Described by Toronto’s Small World Music as “one of the most unique and compelling audiovisual live shows in contemporary global fusion”, their sound incorporates traditional acoustic instrumentation – including bandoneón, piano and guitar – with programming, sequencing and samples of vintage tango recordings. With their dynamic ensemble interplay honed by extensive international touring since they formed in 2003, Otros Aires recently released their fourth album Tricota.

A concert in memory and celebration of the late great singer and songwriter Davy Steele, marking 2011’s tenth anniversary of his tragically early passing. As a member of Drinkers’ Drouth, Ceolbeg, Caledon, Urbn Ri, Clan Alba and Battlefield Band, and on his three fine solo albums, Davy joined the pantheon of Scotland’s most honest and eloquent voices, writing songs often rooted in the past and present of his beloved East Lothian home turf – though resonating much further afield – while giving new yet timeless expression to traditional material.

Tonight also features the debut live performance from RoughCoastAudio, a new folk/ electronica project masterminded by multi-instrumentalist Ewan MacPherson. In the mix are Gaelic, Scots and Norwegian song, plus new compositions merging Celtic, Nordic, classical and east European influences with rock and dance grooves. A nine-piece lineup includes vocalists Maeve Mackinnon, Siobhan Miller, Anne Sofie Linge Valdal and Naomi Harvey, fiddler Patsy Reid and bassist Conrad Molleson.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Tonight’s selection from his repertoire is performed by some of Davy’s favourite singers, including Dick Gaughan, Andy M. Stewart, Karine Polwart, Kate Rusby, Patsy Seddon, Sally Barker, Kathy Stewart and Siobhan Millar, backed by a band featuring Andy Thorburn, Donald Hay, Mary MacMaster, Karen Tweed, Eilidh Shaw and Mairearad Green, with Phil Cunningham and Ian MacCalman doubling as your hosts for the evening.

OLD FRUITMARKET Hadestown and Joy Kills Sorrow

Taraf de Haïdouks and Mama Rosin Angélique Kidjo

JUSTIN ADAMS & JULDEH CAMARA

FRIDAY 21st January, 9.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, Seated & Standing areas

SATURDAY 22nd January, 8.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, STANDING

Somewhere between a song cycle and a folk opera, Hadestown is the compelling creation of Vermont singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell: a contemporary reworking of the Orpheus myth, set simultaneously in the Depression era and a post-apocalyptic future. Interweaving influences from across the US roots spectrum, including country, gospel, ragtime, blues, and early jazz, as well as rock, swing and avant-garde music, the recent album version was lauded by PopMatters as “incredibly good. . . an Americana classic...Rich, rewarding, moving and beautiful.”

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The young alternative stringband Joy Kills Sorrow are being widely tipped to emulate the success of fellow Boston outfit Crooked Still, lining up four multi-award-winning instrumentalists with the mesmerising vocals of Emma Beaton. Delving deep into Americana tradition, they align these influences with an urban, indie-pop sensibility in outstanding original songs.

SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

OLD FRUITMARKET

Sharon Shannon Big Band featuring Imelda May, Shane MacGowan & Mundy and The Paul McKenna Band

BBC Scotland TV Special from the Festival

The Treacherous Orchestra

SUNDAY 23rd January, 8Pm Old Fruitmarket, £20, Standing The joint appearance by Irish accordion queen Sharon Shannon and rockabilly bombshell Imelda May was an unforgettable highlight of the 2010 Cambridge Folk Festival, with Shannon’s legendary stylistic range and both women’s thrilling expressive fervour joyously transcending their disparate musical origins. Tonight’s show not only reprises that breathtaking collaboration but also features contrasting vocal contributions from ex-Pogues icon Shane MacGowan and evergreen singer-songwriter Mundy. Such crossgenre camaraderie has been Shannon’s singular gift since her earliest days with the Waterboys, and she works her magic once again at the helm of a stellar instrumental cast. Voted Best Up and Coming Act at the 2009 Scots Trad Music Awards, the Paul McKenna Band continue to rise swiftly through the rankings, with recent tours of the US, Germany and Italy winning further acclaim for their dynamic, polished, song-based mix of traditional and original material.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Monday 24th January, ?pm Old Fruitmarket, FREE but ticketed, Standing

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OLD FRUITMARKET

The Wilders and Furnace Mountain

… Buffy Sainte-Marie

Penguin cafe

Tuesday 25th January, ?pm Old Fruitmarket, £?, Seated & Standing areas

Wednesday 26th January, 8pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, Seated & Standing areas

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A fingerlickin’ double bill of contemporary Americana, featuring two super-hot US bands who each put their own distinctive stamp on old-time music. With an explosively energetic sound only hinted at by their name, Kansas City quartet The Wilders – on fiddle, dobro, mandolin, banjo, guitar, double bass and vocals - have become firm favourites on the Scottish live circuit in recent years. They’ll be rocking the joint to its foundations once again, previewing material from the forthcoming follow-up to their 2008 breakthrough album, Someone’s Got to Pay. Virginian four-piece Furnace Mountain were recently likened by the Herald to “a marriage between the Be Good Tanyas and the best bits of Nickel Creek - except with true Appalachian soil caked onto their boots.” Arresting twin lead vocals from Morgan Morrison and Aimee Curl (also on bouzouki and double bass) are matched with David Van Deventer and Danny Knicely’s world-class fiddle and mandolin work.

SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

OLD FRUITMARKET

Showcase Scotland featuring Rachel Sermanni, Mike Vass, The Poozies and The Halton Quartet

A Night of Celtronika Session A9

mike vass

rachel Sermanni

Thursday 27th January, 9.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £14, Standing

Friday 28th January, 9.30pm Old Fruitmarket, £18, Standing

A hand-picked selection from the dozens of Scottish acts performing over Celtic Connections’ final weekend, showcasing the premier-league calibre and kaleidoscopic diversity of today’s home-grown roots scene for both festival audiences and international music-industry delegates.

Ancient traditions meet 21st century technology in a pioneering line-up of Celtic and electronica collaborations, co-curated by Indo-Caledonian sound artist Future Pilot AKA. A packed programme includes brand-new commissions PJ Moore (Blue Nile) and renowned Hollywood composer/electronica artist Craig Armstrong. Also on the bill are hot new Chemikal Underground signings FOUND – likened by the News of the World to “a punch up between Paolo Nutini and Captain Beefheart,” and by the Word to “King Creosote holed up in a studio with Brian Eno”. Then there’s Mike McGoldrick’s fusion trio Future Trad Collective, with fiddler Andy Dinan and guitarist Ian Fletcher; the groove-based grandeur of Edinburgh’s Hidden Orchestra (formerly the Joe Acheson Quartet); Catriona McKay and Alistair MacDonald’s harp/live electronics duo Strange Rainbow; a new sonic creation from Lau accordionist Martin Green, and an exclusive Celtic Connections collaboration between DJ Dolphin Boy and the Future Pilot Indian Pop Art Orkestra.

Although only just in her 20s, Carrbridge singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni is already being tipped as a major rising star, championed by such influential fans as Mumford and Sons’ Ben Lovett. Doyennes of the scene for over 20 years, The Poozies are sounding fresher than ever in their current five-piece line-up, reuniting their signature twin harps, fiddle and accordion with original lead vocalist Sally Barker. Young Highland fiddler Mike Vass’s recent projects range from his Wait What? album with Malinky bandmate Dave Wood to his seven-piece String Theory ensemble, while The Halton Quartet unites the brilliant accordion/fiddle duo of Angus Lyon and Ruaridh Campbell with the scintillating guitar/mandolin prowess of Adam Bulley and Chas McKenzie, aka Winging’ It.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

OLD FRUITMARKET The Unusual Suspects and Old Man Luedecke

… The Peatbog Faeries

THE unusual suspects

Saturday 29tH January, 9pm Old Fruitmarket, £16, standing

Sunday 30th January, ?pm Old Fruitmarket, £?, standing

Launched on an unsuspecting world back at Celtic Connections 2003, Scotland’s original and best folk big-band are back in more rambunctious, roof-raising form than ever, celebrating the release of their eagerly-awaited second album, Big Like This. Come and marvel at the power and glory of The Unusual Suspects’ massed fiddles, bagpipes, accordions, whistles and vocals, audaciously orchestrated with harp, piano, a powerhouse rhythm squad and a blistering brass section, transforming Scottish traditional music into a grand-scale fanfare for the 21st century.

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With the gift of transfixing a crowd all on his lonesome, Nova Scotian singer, songwriter and banjo player Old Man Luedecke blends homespun soul, resonant folk poetry, vaudevillian touches and deft contemporary twists into finely crafted songs as fresh as they’re timeless. He’s actually only in his 30s, and his first name’s Chris, but the adopted sobriquet signals his music’s deep traditional roots, even as he brings them to beguiling contemporary fruition.

SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

The Fox Hunt and The Henry Girls

RSAMD: The Future of Our Past Goes Large!

School of Scottish Studies robert Tannahill

robert Tannahill

Friday 14th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Saturday 15th January, 2pm Strathclyde Suite, £10.50, SEATED

Saturday 15th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Peddling a streetwise, subtly subversive mix of vintage Americana and potent original songwriting, West Virginia combo The Fox Hunt return with their new five-piece line-up, after their debut Scottish shows last summer. Bittersweet close harmonies, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and double bass are dynamically layered around a single condenser microphone, underpinned by masterly technique and memorable wordcraft.

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According to Calum Maclean, co-founder of the School of Scottish Studies, “There are two histories of every land and people, the written history that tells what is considered politic to tell and the unwritten history that tells everything”. In 2011, this pioneering Edinburgh University institution celebrates 60 years of saving that latter history for the nation, to the endless benefit of our traditional music. This diamond jubilee concert features a multi-generational line-up who’ve been championed or inspired by the School’s world-renowned work, including Jock Duncan, Julie Fowlis, Sheila Stewart, Karen Matheson, Allan MacDonald, Alison McMorland, Duncan Chisholm, Margaret Stewart and James Ross.

Donegal sisters The Henry Girls, whose exquisite threepart vocals interweave their native traditions with blues, jazz and country, are one of Ireland’s top emerging folk acts, here reprising their recent live collaboration with The Fox Hunt in addition to their own set.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

CONCERT HALL: New Voices: Innes Watson

Leo Blanco and Keltic Tales

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

Liz Carroll and Friends LIZ CARROLL

leo blanco

robert Tannahill

Sunday 16th January, 1pm Strathclyde Suite, £10.50, SEATED

Sunday 16th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

MONDAY 17th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

The young Borders musician Innes Watson (Croft No. Five, Treacherous Orchestra, Lori Watson & the Rule of Three) has won equal acclaim as a fiddler and a guitarist, but it’s the latter instrument he focuses on here, in cahoots with three of his favourite fellow exponents – Ali Hutton, Mike Bryan and Barry Reid – plus bassist Duncan Lyall and drummer Alyn Cosker. The resulting set of collaboratively developed compositions, jointly entitled The Glasgow Guitar Colloquium, deploys both acoustic and electric sounds, with diverse tunings and time-signatures, in an inventively unpredictable mix of folk, funk, rock and jazz flavours.

Born amidst the Venezuelan Andes, internationally trained at such top cross-genre academies as Boston’s Berklee College and the New England Conservatory, pianist/ composer Leo Blanco – whose previous Edinburgh Fringe performances won a Herald Angel award - boldly and beautifully blurs the boundaries of jazz, Latin, folk, classical and African music.

Irish-American fiddler Liz Carroll’s career now spans more than 30 years, during which time she’s consistently set new standards of traditional artistry, as both a player and composer, most recently on her Grammy-nominated 2009 album with guitarist John Doyle, Double Play, and with the 2010 publication of Collected, a long-awaited compendium featuring 185 of her celebrated tunes. As with the book, tonight’s programme draws on the full range of her recorded output – solo, duo, and with the bands Trian and String Sisters – in company with Doyle and other longtime associates, including accordionist Billy McComiskey and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan.

SPONSORED BY

The innovative Breton combo Keltic Tales, comprising Jean-Baptiste Boclé (keyboards), Gildas Boclé (double bass), Ronan Le Bars (uilleann pipes), Jérôme Barge (guitar) and Archibald Ligonniére (drums), never set out to sound consciously Celtic, yet these influences echo intriguingly through their all-original jazz/rock/world material.

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

Michael Marra and Coope, Boyes & Simpson

The Tannahill Weavers and Lurach

… the tannahill weavers

The Shetland bus

robert Tannahill

Tuesday 18th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

WEDNESDAY 19th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

THURSDAY 20th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

A night of potently eloquent songcraft from both sides of the Border, featuring the inimitable voice and mordant yet compassionate insights of Dundee’s Michael Marra. As with all great bards, the inseparable tragedy and comedy of the human condition is Marra’s primary stock-in-trade, captured in songs that range from pawky surrealism to sharply-etched character portraits.

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Originally formed in Paisley in 1968, The Tannahill Weavers perform all too rarely in Scotland, thanks to the insatiable demands of their myriad overseas fans. One of the first folk bands ever to feature the Highland bagpipes, they remain firmly at the forefront of the Scottish traditional field, combining top-notch instrumental work, powerful contemporary rhythms and stirring three-part harmonies.

On the face of it, Barry Coope, Jim Boyes and Lester Simpson are just three blokes who stand together and sing, but their powerfully worded material – original, traditional and contemporary – and spellbinding threepart harmonies make a sum vastly greater than these deceptively simple parts.

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Winners of a 2010 Danny Kyle Open Stage Award, the young Scottish quartet Lurach – all of whom feature on vocals, meanwhile playing flutes, whistles, fiddle and tenor banjo – perform a sparklingly accomplished mix of Scots and Gaelic song with Scottish and Irish tunes.

CONCERT HALL: Malinky and LYY

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

New Voices: Rachel Sermanni

Borders Night RACHEL SERMANNI

Darol Anger

malinky

FRIDAY 21ST January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Saturday 22nd January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Sunday 23rd January, 1pm Strathclyde Suite, £10.50, SEATED

It’s a dozen years now since Malinky first showed their mettle, winning a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections 1999, before establishing themselves - through four excellent albums - among Scotland’s top song-based folk bands. Their richly varied traditional and contemporary repertoire features Fiona Hunter and Steve Byrne on lead vocals, with the current line-up completed by Dave Wood (guitar/bouzouki) and Daniel Thorpe (fiddle).

The Scottish Borders are a richly distinctive stronghold of tradition, whose landscapes and folklore continue to inspire its native musicians today, as they’ve done for centuries past. Headlining this showcase of the region’s cultural treasures are the Borders Tunesmiths, a crossgenerational collective including such luminaries as Matt Seattle, Shona Mooney, Lori Watson, Iain Fraser and Elspeth Smellie, who’ve been writing new music together since 2008. Elsewhere on the bill, Mooney also features with her piper father Gordon, and in dynamic all-female sextet The Shee, while Watson leads her highly-praised Rule of Three line-up, and accordion ace Ian Lowthian duets with drummer Ben Redman.

Inspired at an early age by both Scottish traditional music and Robert Burns’s poetry, the young Carrbridge singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni has sparked quite a buzz during 2010, being invited by Mumford and Sons’ Ben Lovett to feature on the nu-folk showcase album Communion, and supporting Oxford-based hipsters Stornoway on tour. Here she explores, both literally and metaphorically, the theme of ‘tramping’ - a deliberately old-school term for the roaming in wild places that Sermanni has loved since childhood. A mix of previouslywritten and brand new songs also incorporates a classical-tinged instrumental sequence, composed for fiddles, piano, guitar and bass.

Performing a gorgeously lyrical, buoyantly catchy blend of folk, jazz and acoustic rock, on vocals, fiddle, nyckelharpa, flutes, guitar and percussion, up-and-coming Swedish quintet LYY have been hailed by Tim O’Brien, no less, as “the complete entertainment experience.”

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

The Legend’s Fiddle Competition

…

Hamish Henderson Night hamish henderson

The Mccalmans

NORDIC TONE

Sunday 23rd January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Monday 24th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Tuesday 25th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

And now for something completely different... In a musical/variety performance first sprung on an unsuspecting world at 2009’s Blazin’ in Beauly fiddle school, five of today’s top fiddle talents channel the spirits of five illustrious forebears, fighting it out to be crowned the greatest of them all. Decked out in period costume, the legendary figures of Niel Gow (Iain MacFarlane), William Marshall (Duncan Chisholm), James Scott Skinner (Bruce MacGregor), Captain Simon Fraser (Alasdair Fraser) and James Hill (Greg Lawson) will each parade their distinctive style and repertoire, in a competition purportedly compered by Robbie Shepherd (Allan Henderson) and judged by living legend Aonghas Grant.

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Continuing the School of Scottish Studies 60th birthday celebrations, Celtic Connections salutes its joint founder and longtime presiding genius, Hamish Henderson (1919-2002), whose seminal impact on Scottish and international culture has been affirmed by such diverse authorities as Nelson Mandela, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and E. P. Thompson. Dr Fred Freeman, who masterminded Greentrax’s 2003 tribute to Henderson, A’ the Bairns O’ Adam, directs a line-up including Rod Paterson, John Morran, Adam McNaughtan, Alison McMorland, Geordie McIntyre and Steve Byrne, in a suitably festive Burns Night programme ranging widely across his repertoire and legacy.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

CONCERT HALL: All Along the Wall

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

Emily Smith and The Old Dance School

Shifting Sands emily smith

shifting sands

all along the wall

Wednesday 276h January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Thursday 27th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Friday 28th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

There aren’t many British landscapes as evocative as Hadrian’s Wall, a physical span over nearly two millennia, which in 2010 inspired an aptly motley crew of folk singer-songwriters and performance poets to create tonight’s performance. Closeted together in a Northumbrian farmhouse, four established and rising stars of English roots music – Jez Lowe, Boo Hewerdine, Rory McLeod and Ruth Notman – brainstormed for a week with Radio 4 Saturday Live favourites Kate Fox, Matt Harvey and Elvis McGonagall. The resulting songs and verse interweave idioms from trad to vaudeville, ranging in theme from Roman invaders to the real and imagined walls that still divide us.

…

From winning the 2002 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year title, to featuring at Richard Thompson’s Meltdown festival in 2010, Dumfriesshire singer, songwriter and accordionist Emily Smith has steered a sublimely poised course between deep folk roots and fresh contemporary artistry. Tonight’s show launches her fourth solo album, Traiveller’s Joy.

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SUPPORT COPY TO COME

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CONCERT HALL:

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

TMSA Young Trad Tour with The Atlantic Seaway

Sandy Wright and Guests

New Voices: Angus Lyon Angus lyon

sandy wright

YOUNG TRAD TOUR

Saturday 29th January, 1pm Strathclyde Suite, £10.50, SEATED

Saturday 29th January, 8pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED

Sunday 30th January, 1pm Strathclyde Suite, £10.50, SEATED

Ahead of tomorrow’s final play-off in the 2011 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year contest, the 2010 and 2009 winners, fiddlers Daniel Thorpe and Ruairidh MacMillan, team up with Thorpe’s fellow finalists – harpists Mairi Chaimbeul and Hannah Phillips, pipers Lorne MacDougall and Kyle Warren, and accordionist Paddy Callaghan – for a programme showcasing both their individual and ensemble talents.

The veteran Scottish songwriter Sandy Wright, whose idiosyncratic genius has been likened to Michael Marra and Ivor Cutler, hosts a ceilidh-style performance of selected works from his prolific catalogue, as showcased on 2010’s debut double-CD collection, The Songs of Sandy Wright. With a stylistic palette encompassing folk, blues, country, honky-tonk and jazz, he’ll be backed by his own Toxic Cowboys line-up, comprising Sarah McFadyen (vocals/fiddle/banjo), Joel Sanderson (cello), Ian Stoddart (drums), Dave Rattray (guitars) and Ruth Barrie (vocals/ percussion). Other numbers will feature some of the contemporary folk stars who flocked to perform on the album, including Lau, Kris Drever, Karine Polwart and Boo Hewerdine.

In addition to his brilliantly accomplished and inventive duo with fiddler Ruaridh Campbell (which features elsewhere at Celtic Connections 2011, as half of brandnew line-up The Halton Quartet), accordionist Angus Lyon is also a founder member of Box Club, renowned for his technical and compositional fluency across diverse musical genres. His new instrumental triptych 3G, written for a seven-piece ensemble including Fraser Fifield, Anna Massie and Innes Watson, evokes the musical eras and overlapping experiences of three generations, from grandfather to grandson, exploring the cyclical interplay of tradition and modernity.

The Atlantic Seaway, which premièred last September in the US, features staff and students from Strathclyde University, the RSAMD and Boston’s Berklee College, tracing the transatlantic evolution of Scottish music, in a collaboration supported by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

CONCERT HALL:

STRATHCLYDE SUITE

Art Exhibition

Finale Showcasing Danny Kyle Open Stage Winners 2011 Anna Massie

Sunday 31st January, 9pm Strathclyde Suite, £12.50, SEATED …

Sunday 31st January, 5pm, Strathclyde Suite, FREE, DONATIONS WELCOME, SEATED In partnership with the Evening Times Established in memory of the late lamented Danny Kyle, an indefatigable champion of new musical talent, the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections has been an invaluable career launch-pad for a host of emerging acts over the years, heralding the future successes of Malinky, GiveWay, Phamie Gow, the Lori Watson 3, La Sonera Calaveras, Breabach and The Chair, among many others. With around 80 acts selected to perform during the festival, out of the 200-300 hopefuls who apply from far and wide each year, the competition nowadays is fierce indeed, guaranteeing that tonight’s six winners will be worthy ones indeed.

SPONSORED BY

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

CITY HALLS Spiers & Boden with Saltfishforty and Support

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra featuring The Alison Brown Quartet, Michael Marra and De Dannan with Frankie Gavin

Brian Kennedy and Support DEOLINDA

SPiers & boden

Tom Paxton

Saturday 15th January, 7.30pm City Halls, £18.50, Seated

Sunday 16th January, 7.30pm City Halls, £14, Seated

Thursday 20th January, 8pm City Halls, £18.50, Seated

A classic Celtic Connections bill, featuring a contrasting trio of top roots acts from Scotland, Ireland and the US – but with one major difference. “House band” for all three will be the massed symphonic might of the City Halls’ resident ensemble, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

After delighting audiences Scotland-wide when they toured together in 2010, two of the UK’s biggest-sounding folk duos join forces once again, collaborating on each other’s material in addition to their own sets. Accordionist John Spiers and singer/fiddler Jon Boden bring a bracing punkish energy and swagger to the ballads and dance tunes of old England, underpinned by virtuoso musicianship.

A Celtic Connections favourite since the festival’s earliest days, Belfast singer and songwriter Brian Kennedy, beloved for his transcendently soulful vocals and supreme stylistic versatility, recently celebrated 20 years in the music business. Also in 2010, he collected the Lifetime Achievement prize at Ireland’s prestigious Meteor Music Awards – achievements that include two successful novels and the acclaimed TV series On Song, as well as those highlighted by his blissful anniversary compilation, The Very Best of Brian Kennedy.

Fiddle legend Frankie Gavin, who launched his new De Dannan line-up in 2009, featuring four of Ireland’s brightest young traditional stars, already has impressive form with orchestras in the band’s previous incarnation. The multicoloured sonic tapestries woven by banjo doyenne Alison Brown, with her virtuoso bass/piano/ drums line-up, likewise offer fertile scope for orchestral arrangements, which will also lend extra resonance and atmosphere to Dundee bard Michael Marra’s grittily bittersweet balladry.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

The mighty impact of Orkney’s Saltfishforty, meanwhile – aka Douglas Montgomery (fiddle) and Brian Cromarty (vocals/guitar/mandola) – have seen them likened to a two-man heavy rock outfit, though their firepower is matched by masterly finesse and lyricism.

SUPPORT COPY TO COME

CITY HALLS T with The Maggies and The Glackins

Fèis Rois is 25!

… DEOLINDA

t with the maggies

Tom Paxton

Saturday 22nd January, 2.30pm City Halls, £12.50, Seated

Saturday 22nd January, 8pm City Halls, £16.50, Seated

Sunday 23rd January, xpm City Halls, £X, Seated

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There’s much more than their shared Donegal heritage linking this once-in-a-blue-moon gathering of Irish traditional icons: a network of familial and collaborative connections encompassing numerous landmarks in that tradition’s contemporary development. T With the Maggies radiantly unites the voices of pioneering acts The Bothy Band, Coolfin, Altan and Clannad - sisters Tríona and Maighread Ní Dhomnaill, Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh and Moya Brennan.

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In addition, a rare joint appearance by the Glackin brothers – Paddy, Séamus and Kevin – represents a masterclass in Donegal fiddling. Between them, these artists have featured jointly or severally in a number of other bands, with tonight’s concert underlining their continued creative vitality.

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CITY HALLS The Creole Choir of Cuba and Support

…

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Final 2011 DEOLINDA

SPiers & boden

Tom Paxton

TUESDAY 25th January, xpm City Halls, £x, Seated

Saturday 29th January, 7.30pm City Halls, £16.50, Seated

SUNDAY 30THth January, 5pm City Halls, £12.50, Seated

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If you think you know Cuban music, expect a revelation upon hearing the Creole Choir of Cuba, whose impassioned, inspirational polyphony voices a lesserknown but no less musically fruitful aspect of the island’s multicultural heritage. A hybrid of African and native Caribbean tongues with French, English and Spanish, Creole is Cuba’s second language, the legacy of slaves twice displaced via Haiti, latterly followed by exiles from Papa Doc Duvalier. Songs of struggle, resistance, defiance and solidarity are thus the choir’s time-honoured métier, ringing triumphantly down the eras to inspire you tonight.

For every previous BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year – Anna Massie, James Graham, Stuart Cassells, Shona Mooney, Catriona Watt Ewan Robertson, Ruairidh Macmillan and Daniel Thorpe – winning the competition has been a major springboard to a professional career in music. Tonight’s six talented finalists are:

SUPPORT TO COME

Alistair Ogilvy (Scots Song)

Mairi Chaimbeul (Gaelic Song, Clarsach) Kristan Harvey (Fiddle) Lorne MacDougall (Bagpipes, Whistle)

Tina Rees (Piano) Andrew Waite (Accordion)

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

All concerts are seated, start at 8pm and cost £10 Words & Music: Hugh Lupton & Chris Wood Sunday 17th January Jointly created by acclaimed singer/fiddler Chris Wood and poet/storyteller Hugh Lupton, with the English Acoustic Collective’s John Dipper and Robert Harbron, The Homing Stone tells of Swallows and Amazons author Arthur Ransome’s turbulent travels in revolutionary Russia.

RODDY HART

PUR

Roddy Hart Friday 22nd January Mentored early in his career by no less a fan than Kris Kristofferson, Glasgow’s Roddy Hart is a superb singer-songwriter in the classic mould, finally shaking off the “best kept secret” tag with his second album, 2009’s Sign Language.

CITY HALLS:

Pur – The Lassies’ Reply Monday 25th January Especially for Burns Night, two rising stars of traditional song – Shona Donaldson and Katie Mackenzie, jointly known as Pur – showcase material from their debut album The Lassies’ Reply, comprising classic Burns songs performed in Scots and Gaelic. Tam Lin Tuesday 26th January An exciting collaboration between three questing musicians – John Kenny, Dick Lee and James Ross – based on the story of Tam Lin.

RECITAL ROOM

conservatoire rigour meets sheer gypsy flair. Koshka now stand at the cutting edge of gypsy string music, taking it to increasing heights of invention and creativity. Fribo and Griogair Labhruidh & Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde SATURDAY 30th January Fribo is a unique combination of musicians from Norway, Scotland and England, who have rapidly gained acclaim for blending their native musical styles together with sensitivity and an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms.

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

SARAH-JANE SUMMERS

MACKINNON MACPHERSON MACCOLL

Bodega SATURDAY 16th January Young vocal/instrumental quintet Bodega met whilst studying at the National Centre of Excellence in Plockton, and have gone on to make a name for themselves with their dynamic mix of traditional, contemporary and original material.

Catriona McKay and Olov Johansson Saturday 23rd January Catriona McKay and Olov Johansson and have teamed up to create big, bold, amazing sound. Johansson’s nyckelharpa and McKay’s Scottish harp complement each other perfectly on fresh, inventive arrangements which give both artists the opportunity to show the full character of their instruments. Maeve Gilchrist with Aidan O’Donnell Sunday 24th January With her distinctive chromatic approach and jazz/folk sound, harpist and singer Maeve Gilchrist has been hailed as a highly innovative talent. She’ll be previewing material from her forthcoming new album, accompanied by bassist Aidan O’Donnell.

Sarah-Jane Summers Trio Wednesday 27th January Originally taught by the late great Highland fiddler Donald Riddell, Sarah-Jane Summers also plays the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, creating a unique Scottish/Nordic sound accompanied here by guitarist Ewan MacPherson and bassist Duncan Lyall. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three Thursday 28th January Pokey LaFarge is a treasure – a gutsy troubadour whose songs, with their earthy plunk and thunk guitar accompaniments – recall the 1920s/30s blues and ragtime masters, yet speak directly to today’s audiences in a bruised, used and abused voice.

Koshka Friday 29th January Oleg Pomonarev, Lev Atlas and Nigel Clark have developed an enthralling sound, where

Also on the bill are Griogair Labhruidh and Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde with tracks from their long awaited collaborative album, which features Gaelic song drawn from both of their respective Donegal and Argyllshire traditions. They will be accompanied on fiddle by Aidan O’ Donnell (Fidil) and Síle Denvir (Líadan).

Madison Violet and Mackinnon MacPherson MacColl Sunday 31st January Variously dubbed “urban folk” and “tumbleweed pop”, Canadian duo Madison Violet’s latest album No Fool For Trying is a “sonically perfect collection of songs”, attaining “a level of musicality rarely found in country music”. (No Depression) Following their joint Classic Album concert at Celtic Connections 2008, singer Maeve Mackinnon and fiddler Lauren MacColl team up with multi-instrumentalist Ewan MacPherson, creating a close-knit trio sound that marries deep traditional roots with new compositions.

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

O2 ABC Glasgow

Treacherous Orchestra and Fía na Roca

Skerryvore, Mànran and Calum Iain MacCorquodale & Malcolm Jones

… skerryvore

FYFE DANGERFIELD

Fia na roca

treacherous orchestra

Friday 14th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £16, standing

Saturday 15th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £x, STANDING

Sunday 16th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £16, standing

Originally spawned amidst the small-hours maelstrom of the Festival Club, 13-man supergroup the Treacherous Orchestra return to the scene of their legendary mainstage debut at Celtic Connections 2009, since when they’ve been hailed far and wide as Scotland’s most exciting new live act. Bagpipes, fiddles, whistles, flutes and guitars all feature two by two, plus accordion, banjo, bass, and percussion in a spectacular sonic panorama as intricately wrought as it’s incandescently wild. “Nothing on the Scottish folk scene quite compares to this.” (Sunday Mail)

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Scotland’s finest young folk-rock outfit Skerryvore released their third, self-titled album to rave reviews in July 2010, winning yet more fans for their high-octane mix of soulful original songs and rousing traditional melodies, with bagpipes, fiddle and accordion powered by heavyweight rhythmic muscle.

Fía na Roca have been at the forefront of contemporary Galician music since their inception in 1993. Their innovative song-based arrangements, centred on Sonia Lebedynski’s stunning vocals, incorporate traditional and original material with rock, funk and jazz influences.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Mànran is a mouthwatering new line-up of well-kent young talent - Norrie MacIver (guitar/vocals), Gary Innes (accordion), Ewen Henderson (fiddle/pipes), Calum Stewart (flutes/uilleann pipes), Ross Saunders (bass) and Scott Mackay (drums) – performing songs in Gaelic and English alongside fiery instrumental sets. Completing tonight’s showcase of the Highlands and islands’ finest, renowned North Uist fiddler and accordionist Calum Iain MacCorquodale, a leading champion of older Gaelic playing styles, is joined by Runrig’s Malcolm Jones.

O2 ABC Glasgow …

Ani DiFranco and Support

… ani difranco

Hot club of cowtown

Michael McGoldrick

Tuesday 18th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £X, Standing

Wednesday 19th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £X, Standing

Thursday 20th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £17.50, Standing

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Ani DiFranco played her first gig aged 9, was writing songs by 14, began singing them professionally a year later – and has barely, or rarely, slowed down since, firing out 20 studio albums on her own Righteous Babe label, and giving thousands of inspirational live performances. This prolific, endlessly evolving output has continually lent fresh meaning to the personal as political, and vice versa, most recently on 2008’s multilayered, richly textured Red Letter Year. Support copy to come

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

O2 ABC Glasgow

Justin Currie and Heathers

Crooked Still with Lau and Move

Cherished by legions of loyal fans as one of Scotland’s greatest singers and songwriters, ex-Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie won a string of career-best accolades for his second solo album, 2010’s The Great War. His exceptional gift for matching blissful melodic hooks with mordantly barbed, darkly insightful lyrics, allied to his intensely soulful voice, continues to strike gold within classic pop parameters, drawing sellout crowds for each of his previous Celtic Connections appearances.

Both the Scottish-based super-trio Lau and Boston fivepiece Crooked Still have been credited with redefining the parameters of folk music, from their respective origins in British trad and bluegrass. Lau’s extraordinarily complex, viscerally thrilling sound has won them three successive Best Group titles at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, while Crooked Still’s 2010 masterpiece Some Strange Country earned a veritable torrent of critical superlatives. After sets from each band, they’ll team up for some new collaborative arrangements of each other’s material.

Support comes from the hotly-tipped Irish folk/pop duo Heathers, comprising twin sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara. With their lusciously blended harmonies and buoyantly catchy songwriting, they won a slew of critical raves and high-profile support slots for their 2008 debut album Here, Not There, now newly out in the UK.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Opening the show in similarly spectacular fashion, Highland folk/funk outfit Wild Biscuit, top Scottish breakdance crew Random Aspekts, multi-instrumentalist Fraser Fifield, piper Colin Brown, drummer Neil Primrose (Travis) and the Mid Argyll Pipe Band present the live premiere of Move, fusing contemporary Celtic sounds with hip-hop culture.

Kimmie Rhodes

Saturday 22nd January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £15, STANDING

Sam Baker

LAU

CROOKED STILL

justin currie

Friday 21st January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £16, standing

…

Sunday 23rd January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £x, Seated (unreserved) & standing …

O2 ABC Glasgow Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Support

Gerry O’Connor Quartet and Sigrid Moldestad and Gillian Boucher

…

sigrid moldestad

gerry o’connor

Dick Gaughan

Wolfstone

Tuesday 25th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £16, Standing

Wednesday 26th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £X, standing

Thursday 27th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £14, standing

…

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TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

O2 ABC Glasgow Dàimh and Anxo Lorenzo

…

Raul Malo and Support raul malo

Gandalf Murphy

naturally 7

Friday 28th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £X, standing

Saturday 29th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £15, Standing

Sunday 30th January, 7.30pm O 2 ABC Glasgow, £16, Standing

…

Formerly something of a well-kept Highland secret, Dàimh are nowadays widely rated among Scotland’s top traditional bands, particularly since adding Calum Alex MacMillan’s eloquent Gaelic vocals to their original lineup of bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, banjo, mandola, guitar and bodhran. From pyrotechnic jigs and reels to achingly poignant ballads, they run the full expressive gamut of folk music at its best, and are justly renowned for their thrilling live shows.

After his Grammy-winning, platinum-selling success as frontman of The Mavericks, Raul Malo has emerged as a hugely compelling solo artist, not only for his gloriously operatic, Orbison-esque voice, but increasingly as a gifted and genre-defying songwriter. Appearing tonight with his full band line-up, fresh from his solo acoustic sell out show at Celtic Connections 2010, he’ll be showcasing his acclaimed new release Sinners & Saints, a masterfully diverse collection richly rooted in his Latin music heritage while infused with his love of country, blues, jazz and vintage rock’n’roll.

Dàimh are also longtime pals with the brilliantly inventive Galician piper and whistle player Anxo Lorenzo, whose recent debut solo album, Tirán, combines traditional, original, native and international material with rock, pop, jazz, flamenco and hip-hop influences. He’ll be appearing with his regular four-piece band, while both acts will also join in on each other’s set.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Support copy to come

CCA …

…

SPONSORED BY

… The Phantom band

the chair

Imelda may

Friday 29th January, 7.30pm CCA, £15, Standing

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 29th January, 7.30pm CCA, £15, Standing

Friday 29th January, 7.30pm CCA, £15, Standing

…

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

The Arches

Henrik Jansberg Band and Support

…

Jah Wobble & The Nippon Dub Ensemble and Man’s Ruin Johnny Dickinson

jah wobble & the nippon dub ensemble

henrik jansberg band

Friday 21st January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £12.50, Standing

Friday 22ND January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £14, Standing

SUNDAY 23rd January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £12.50, Standing

sound that ranges from Scandinavian and Celtic folk to blues, acoustic rock and gypsy jazz, the supremely gifted young Danish fiddler Henrik Jansberg is wining plaudits far beyond his homeland. He’s flanked by an equally formidable four-piece band, on guitar, mandolin, nyckelharpa, double bass and percussion.

The latest intriguing project from Cockney crosscultural veteran Jah Wobble, who’s worked with such illustrious fellow mavericks as Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Bill Laswell and Björk, aligns his seismic bass grooves and love of dub reggae with the otherworldly sounds of Japanese music. Traditional folk songs and instrumentation, taiko drumming and Shinto ritual feature alongside Wobble’s bass, keyboards and programming. “One of the great English originals.” (Guardian)

…

SUPPORT TO COME

Man’s Ruin sees Breabach’s Calum MacCrimmon laying aside his bagpipes and stepping up on vocals (plus whistles and electric guitar), performing original funkbased songs and tunes, with a line-up also featuring fiddle, accordion, brass, bass and percussion.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

The Arches Teddy Thompson with David Ford and Ashley Cleveland

Headline band and Aerials Up and First Charge of the Light Brigade

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives marty stuart

RAUL MALO

teddy thompson

Wednesday 26th January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £15, Standing

Thursday 27th January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £12.50, Standing

Friday 28th January, 7.30pm THE ARCHES, £15, Standing

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson returns to Celtic Connections for an exclusive pre-launch of his hotly-anticipated fifth album Bella, out on February 1. Combining gimlet-eyed lyrics, taut rock’n’roll stylings and touches of reluctant romanticism, Thompson is also a superb live performer.

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Having worked with such giants of the genre as Lester Flatt, Doc Watson and Johnny Cash, quadruple Grammywinner Marty Stuart has covered most country music bases in his time, before revisiting its traditional bedrock on his latest album Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions. A famously consummate showman, Stuart makes his Celtic Connections debut with his aptly named backing trio of Kenny Vaughan (guitar), Paul Martin (bass) and Harry Stinson (drums).

Switching between tender love-songs and bitingly articulate pop anthems, swathed in live-looped layers of guitar, piano and bass, David Ford is finally translating critical raves into popular recognition with his third solo album, Let the Hard Times Roll. Three-time Grammywinner Ashley Cleveland, whose repertoire spans the gospel/spiritual spectrum, is a singer of extraordinary fire, grit and passion.

SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

ÒRAN MÓR

Mabon with Lorne MacDougall

… The Deadly Gentlemen

MABON

Saturday 15th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £13, Standing

SUNDAY 16th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £X, Standing

Performing largely original material infused by diverse musical traditions, the Welshbased six-piece Mabon have emerged in recent years among the UK’s most exciting and distinctive folk acts. Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Breton, Galician, Basque and Balkan flavours, buoyed by forceful contemporary rhythms, all feature in their richly emotive sound, delivered with terrific vivacity and verve on accordion, fiddle, flute, guitar, bass and percussion.

…

The brilliant young Argyllshire piper Lorne MacDougall, who’s featured in line-ups from Grade 1 pipe bands to the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, showcases material from his debut album Hello World, combining traditionally-rooted tunes with deft cross-genre touches.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

ÒRAN MÓR The Walkmen and Laki Mera

Trembling Bells and Emily Portman trmbling bells

the walkmen

WEDNESDAY 19th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £12.50, Standing

Friday 21st January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £12.50, Standing

With a sound that ranges from grandly anthemic to yearningly intimate, smoothly urbane to searingly raw, New York indie outfit The Walkmen have been variously likened to The Pixies, Brian Eno, the Velvet Underground and Television. This edgily eclectic creativity attains its strongest synthesis yet on their new release Lisbon: “An album to fall in love to, to break up to, to drown sorrows to, or to bounce around to.” (NME)

With their first two albums, 2009’s Carbeth and 2010’s Abandoned Love, Glasgow fourpiece Trembling Bells have raced up the rankings to join the hottest acts of the moment, and are a confirmed favourite of Nick Drake’s producer, Joe Boyd. Drawing on influences from early classical music to avant-garde jazz, via traditional folk, classic country and glam rock, these compelling urban troubadours match modern-day myth and mysticism with lurking wit and mischief.

SUPPORT TO COME

SPONSORED BY

SUPPORT COPY TO COME

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

ÒRAN MÓR

Justin Townes Earle and The Staves

BMX Bandits 25th Anniversary

… Laura Veirs

BMX BANDITS

justin townes earle

Saturday 22nd January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £14, Standing

Sunday 23rd January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MOR, £12.50, Standing

Thursday 27th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MÓR, £X, STANDING

…

Celebrating 25 years since their debut single E102, the BMX Bandits remain one of Scotland’s best-loved and most influential bands, authoring “some of the most sumptuous, emotionally devastating pop songs never to grace the Top 40” (Daily Telegraph). Tonight’s show, curated by founder and frontman Duglas T. Stewart, features the latest of their ever-changing line-ups, including Rachel Allison, David Scott, Jim McCulloch, Finlay MacDonald and Jim Gash. Performing a mix of old favourites and songs from their forthcoming new release, BMX Bandits in Space, they’ll be joined by hotly-tipped folk-popsters Randolph’s Leap, rediscovered psychedelic troubadour Nick Garrie and other very special guests.

…

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

ÒRAN MÓR The New Tradition with Ciorras

Richard Wood and Support

… Mick Flannery

HOLLY WILLIAMS

Ciorras

Friday 28th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MÓR, £12.50, STANDING

Saturday 29th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MÓR, £X, SEATED

Sunday 30th January, 7.30pm ÒRAN MÓR, £12.50, SEATED

Hand-picked by Irish music legend Dónal Lunny, during his TV talent-search project Lorg Lunny, Ciorras are a young eight-piece band breathing fresh contemporary life into their native traditional music. As well as flutes, fiddle, concertina, pipes, whistles, accordion, keyboards and vocals, their line-up features Lunny’s newly-created percussion instrument, the greadán.

…

Canada’s Prince Edward Island may be best known for Anne of Green Gables, but fiddling sensation Richard Wood has also put it firmly on the musical map. Combining deep-rooted traditional prowess with high-voltage rock’n’roll attitude, he’s guested with the Chieftains, appeared on the David Letterman Show with Shania Twain, and was a featured performer in the international fiddle extravaganza Bowfire. SUPPORT COPY TO COME

SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

ST ANDREW’S IN THE SQUARE

…

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

… maggie macinnes

…

the poozies

blair douglas

eilidh mackenzie

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

…

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

…

ST ANDREW’S IN THE SQUARE …

…

SPONSORED BY

… MARTIN HAYES & DENNIS CAHILL

the byrne family

St kilda

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

…

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

ST ANDREW’S IN THE SQUARE

…

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

… maggie macinnes

…

the poozies

blair douglas

eilidh mackenzie

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

…

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

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ST ANDREW’S IN THE SQUARE …

…

SPONSORED BY

… MARTIN HAYES & DENNIS CAHILL

the byrne family

St kilda

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

Friday 15th January, 7.30pm ST ANDREWS IN THe SQUARE, £12.50 SEATED

…

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

THE TRON THEATRE

…

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

… Tom Russell

…

Eric Andersen

Tony Cox

Allan Taylor

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

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AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

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THE TRON THEATRE …

…

SPONSORED BY

… Seudan

Boo Hewerdine

Long Gone Lonesome

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

…

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

THE TRON THEATRE

…

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

… Tom Russell

…

Eric Andersen

Tony Cox

Allan Taylor

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

…

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

Friday 15th January, 8pm THE Tron theatre, £12.50, SEATED

…

TALKS

IAIN ANDERSON IN CONVERSATION IaIn Anderson

BBC Radio Scotland’s Iain Anderson hosts an eclectic mix of local figures for a lunchtime blether, weekdays in the Exhibition Hall. Can’t make it along to one of the talks? Listen in live on Celtic Music Radio on 1530AM or online at: www.celticmusicradio.net Tickets £3.50

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

Friday 15th January, 12.30pm

Thursday 21st January, 12.30pm

Wednesday 27th January, 12.30pm

A panel of experts including Dr Jim Swire discuss the issues and outcomes following the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi from prison in 2009.

Event Promoters Neil Butler and Pete Irvine look at the legacy for festivals following the Year of Homecoming.

Monday 18th January, 12.30pm

The Gaelic Bard, Norman MacLean discusses his autobiography The Leper’s Bell with Mairi MacInnes.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Jack McConnell and Duncan Bannatyne discuss the work of the Mary’s Meals movement which sets up school feeding projects in communities where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education.

Professor Grant Jarvie and Gary Innes discuss sport, health and the Nation.

Friday 22nd January, 12.30pm

Monday 25th January, 12.30pm

Michael Russell MSP, Henry McLeish and Ruth Wishart on how culture impacts on the political landscape.

Folk music has long been used as a tool for political comment, Kit Bailey discusses the Folk Against Fascism movement with Brian Taylor.

Wednesday 20th January, 12.30pm

Tuesday 26th January, 12.30pm

Tuesday 19th January, 12.30PM

Songs and Songwriting. Musicians Pat Kane and Ricky Ross discuss the current state of the Scottish music scene.

Thursday 28th January, 12.30pm Barbara Dickson has been captivating fans for the best part of sixty years. She joins us to talk about her autobiography A Shirt Box Full of Songs.

Head of the Scottish Literature Department at the University of Glasgow, Professor Alan Riach in conversation about Scottish Writing.

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

PACIFIC QUAY

BBC Scotland at the festival

The festival is pleased to collaborate once again with our national radio station with six live shows coming from BBC Scotland’s headquarters at Pacific Quay.

BBC Radio Scotland 92-95FM & 810MW Live Radio Broadcasts

Take the Floor Saturday 29th January, 7pm Pearce Institute, The MacLeod Hall, Free but ticketed Join Robbie Shepherd for a live edition of BBC Radio Scotland’s longest running programme, Take The Floor. The show makes a welcome return to the 2011 festival. On stage and playing for the dancing will be The Reel Thing Ceilidh Band and we also enjoy the talents of some rather special guest artists. Live on BBC Radio Scotland.

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Sunday 30th January, 5pm, City Halls, £12.50

BBC Radio Scotland 92-95FM & 810MW Live Radio Broadcasts Mary Ann Kennedy’s Global Gathering Tuesday 18th and Tuesday 25th January, 8pm BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Free but ticketed The very best of this year’s festival artists – from both home and abroad – play live in BBC Scotland’s headquarters on the River Clyde. Live on BBC Radio Scotland.

Travelling Folk Thursday 20th and Thursday 27th January, 8pm BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Free but ticketed

Culture Café – Completely Burns Tuesday 25th January, 1.15pm BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Free but ticketed

Bruce MacGregor presents a special live show featuring some of the best music from this year’s festival, from BBC Scotland’s headquarters at Pacific Quay. Live on BBC Radio Scotland.

Clare English presents a live showcase of Robert Burns’ poems and songs.To celebrate the completion of the BBC’s ambitious project to record The Complete Works of Robert Burns, some of Scotland’s best known actors, comedians and musicians perform and discuss his most celebrated works. Live on BBC Radio Scotland.

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Another Country Friday 28th January, 8pm BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Free but ticketed Ricky Ross presents two hours of new and classic Americana and alternative country music, featuring live music and interviews from Celtic Connections 2011. Live on BBC Radio Scotland.

Live coverage of the competition featuring six talented finalists, see page 37.

BBC RADIO 3 BBC Radio 3’s World on 3 return for an extended four night residency live from Celtic Connections’ Late Night Sessions – see page xx for details.

BBC Scotland TV BBC Scotland will visit the Old Fruitmarket on Monday 24th January to record a special showcase programme featuring festival highlights for transmission on BBC Two Scotland, see page XX.

ONLINE All of BBC Scotland’s Celtic Connections coverage can be enjoyed online at:

bbc.co.uk/celticconnections

EXHIBITION & CHEILIDH

EXHIBITION & CHEILiDH

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

GLASGOW ART CLUB

GLASGOW ART CLUB The Songs of Scotland series has become an important part of the Celtic Connections programme, helping to maintain the festival’s link with Scotland’s love of song and is enjoyed equally by its audience and performers. We will feature ten themes, which provide a common thread throughout each night. Songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions, as well as more contemporary songs which have entered into the tradition over recent years, will take audiences on an entertaining journey into Scotland’s song tradition.

The Universal Folk Club, Sauchiehall Lane, £10, Seated

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT Scots Abroad

Tuesday 19th January, 8pm

Songs of Courtship and Jilted Lovers

Hosted by Doris Rougvie Featuring: David Ferrard, Kirsteen MacDonald and Stephen Quigg

Hosted by Doris Rougvie Featuring: Elspeth Cowie, Norman Stewart and Darren MacLean

Songs of Food and Drink

Sunday 17th January, 8pm

Songs of Seafaring and Fishing

Monday 18th January, 8pm Hosted by Doris Rougvie Featuring: Irene Watt, Calum Alex MacMillan and Norrie MacIver

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

Wednesday 20th January, 8pm Hosted by Doris Rougvie Featuring: Geordie Murison and Nancy Nicolson

Songs of Birth, Marriage and Death Thursday 21st January, 8pm

Hosted by Doris Rougvie Featuring: Kathy Hobkirk, Barbara Dymock and Naomi Harvey

Songs of Travel and Journeying

Sunday 24th January, 8pm Hosted by Ishbel MacAskill Featuring: Sheila Stewart MBE, Mairi MacInnes, Brian McNeill and Wilma Kennedy

Eskimos and Peace Songs Monday 25th January, 8pm

Hosted by Ishbel MacAskill Featuring: Alistair Hulett, Ewan McVicar, Gordeanna McCulloch and Ian Davison

Humorous Songs

Tuesday 26th January, 8pm Hosted by Ishbel MacAskill Featuring: Joe Aitken, Duncan McNab and Sineag MacIntyre

Bothy and Border Songs Wednesday 27th January, 8pm

Hosted by Ishbel MacAskill Featuring: Jock Duncan and Henry Douglas

Is That Traditional?

Thursday 28th January, 8pm Hosted by Ishbel MacAskill Featuring: John Watt, Lionel McClelland and Eilidh Mackenzie

Gordon Duncan Memorial Solo Piping Competition run in association with Piping Live! GORDON DUNCAN

Sunday 17th January, 1pm The National Piping Centre, £8, Seated (unreserved) Perthshire piper Gordon Duncan was widely regarded as one of the most skilled and innovative traditional music performers and composers of modern times. While steeped in the art of traditional Highland piping, his approach to his music was always imaginative, fresh and at times radical, to the extent that his influence can be heard in an entire generation of younger musicians across Scotland and well beyond. Gordon died in December 2005, aged 41. This competition, set up in his honour, features piping talent from the Scottish, Irish and Breton traditions.

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

Representing Scotland are pipers Willie McCallum, Stuart Liddell and Glenn Brown with judges Ian Duncan and Ronnie McShannon. The Breton contingent comprises pipers Sylvain Hamon, Xavier Boderiou and Alexis Meunier and judges Herve Le Floch and Erwan Ropars. Irish pipers include Alen Tully, Jonathan Greenlees and Andrew Carlisle with judges Lenny Browne and David Caldwell. MC for the afternoon is John Wilson and the prizes will be presented by Jock Duncan, Gordon’s father.

The Gordon Duncan Trophy has been donated by McCallum Bagpipes, Kilmarnock.

THE FESTIVAL CLUB

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the festival, 10.30pm – late The Art School, £8 Our late night club ensures that there is even more music to enjoy after all the gigs are over. With inspired line-ups that are never divulged before the night - the Festival Club draws musicians and fans alike for a late-night jam session to end all jam sessions. Sparkling host Kevin Macleod will guide you through proceedings with Doris Rougvie in the House of Song - and you never know who you’ll bump into as you join the throngs in the bar.

LATE NIGHT SESSIONS

Every night during the festival, 10pm – late Exhibition Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall £5 (however entry will be free on 17th, 18th,19th and 24th January – get there early to avoid disappointment!) For a more intimate evening during the festival, enjoy our Late Night Sessions taking place in the Exhibition Hall at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Featuring just as many great musicians as the main Festival Club, the bar will be open late and you can be assured of many a memorable moment. Following the huge success of BBC Radio 3’s World on 3 broadcasts at the previous two festivals, World on 3 returns for an extended four-night residency live from Late Night Sessions. Presented by Mary Ann Kennedy, the shows will feature a top line-up of festival artists performing live as well as recorded highlights of the 2011 festival, broadcast between Tuesday 25th – Friday 28th January.

WORKSHOPS Our workshop programme is designed to inspire people of all ability levels to get involved in traditional music and song. Please book early to avoid disappointment as numbers are limited! The rough guide to ability levels:

SATURDAY 16th JANUARY Kids’ Percussion Workshop for Wee Ones

Big Groove will lead a percussion workshop for children aged 4-6 years: a groovy introduction for wee ones to explore and enjoy their natural sense of rhythm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 11-11.45am / £4 / Exhibition Hall

Kids’ Percussion Workshop

Specially designed for children aged 7-10 years, Big Groove will guide children through simple and fun rhythms with samba instruments. Children must be accompanied by an adult and numbers are strictly limited. 12.00-12.45pm / £4 / Exhibition Hall

Percussion Workshop

come&try Bodhran

If you have always wanted to play this iconic instrument, Andy May will show you how. He is a well known performer and tutor of the bodhran and he will teach participants how to achieve some really good basic rhythms so that you will always be welcome at a session. Drums and beaters are provided so all you need is a sense of rhythm. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

Beginner Bodhran

So you’ve made the decision that the bodhran is for you, this workshop will teach you more about the subtleties of this great accompanying instrument. Andy May will help students to build confidence and reach a higher level of skill and repertoire. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

SUNDAY 17th JANUARY Kids’ Percussion Workshop for Wee Ones

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

come&try If you have always wanted to have a go but have never had the opportunity! Instruments are provided.

Beginners Those who have just started learning an instrument.

Big Groove will continue their day of percussion with a workshop aimed at adults and older children to explore the fascinating rhythms of samba. Have you got your own inner drummer? Let it loose in this fun packed workshop! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Open Your Voice One

Come and join Harriet Buchan in this stimulating workshop to discover the voice within you. Explore your range and qualities of your own voice through relaxation techniques. No singing training required - you will find your voice and more! 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

Open Your Voice Two

Do one or both sessions with Harriet Buchan –there are so many ways to release the joy of your own frequencies, your natural harmonics. Enhance the experience using quartz crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, Ojibwe and Navaho drums, rattles, rainmakers and more. Find your voice and your song and sing it! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

come&try Ukulele Improvers If you have been playing your instrument for about a year and are ready for the next level.

The ukulele is Hawaiian for Jumping Flea and if you were lucky enough to get one in your Christmas stocking and you have no idea what to do with it, this is the workshop for you! Even if you don’t have your own, come and try this marvellous and versatile little instrument. Lots of ukes will be provided and Finlay Allison will lead you through some basic chords and rhythms. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

come&try Gaelic Song

2009 Mod Gold medal winner and Young Trad Tour finalist Darren Maclean is a naturally gifted young singer from Skye. He will share his songs and enthusiasm for Gaelic singing with students in this come&try session. Absolutely no knowledge of Gaelic is necessary. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Another chance for wee ones to take central stage in this workshop led by the ever popular Big Groove. This workshop, for children aged 4-6 years, is a marvellous introduction to explore and enjoy their natural sense of rhythm. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all drums are provided. 11-11.45am / £4 / Exhibition Hall

Kids’ Percussion Workshop

This workshop is specially for children aged 7-10 years. Big Groove will guide them through simple and fun rhythms with samba instruments. Children must be accompanied by an adult and numbers are strictly limited. 12.00-12.45pm / £4 / Exhibition Hall

Women’s Samba Workshop

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon! Get ready for the week ahead with a wonderful, tension releasing, therapeutic class of samba drumming. Big Groove designed this workshop specifically for women to liberate their inner percussionist. Samba rhythms are energising, invigorating and empowering. Lots of fun guaranteed! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

come&try Whistle

Lorne MacDougall is a fine piper and whistle player from Carradale and one of the finalists in the 2009 BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition. He will demonstrate and teach easy whistle tunes for absolute beginners in this fun workshop. Whistles in the key of D provided. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

Beginner Whistle

The whistle is definitely the most portable of all the traditional instruments and Lorne MacDougall will take his students through the basic fundamentals of the instrument concentrating on simple melodic Scottish tunes to develop skills to the next level of playing. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

WORKSHOPS

Learn the Small Pipes in a Day

This workshop covers use of bellows, blowing and fingering techniques and tuning of drones. Dave Shaw will teach you a relatively simple tune over the course of the day, generally a jig or Northumbrian reel. Numbers are strictly limited and pipes are provided. Over 14 years and complete beginners only please. 11-4pm / £35 / Lomond Foyer

come&try Fiddle

Come and try the fiddle! It’s not as hard as you may think! Tutors from Glasgow Fiddle Workshop will take you through the basics of this fine instrument and you may surprise yourself and manage a wee tune by the time you’ve finished. Fiddles are supplied. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Beginner Fiddle

In this workshop you will get the chance to learn something about this increasingly popular percussion instrument originally from West Africa. Allan Hughes will show you how to get the most out of your drum, learning specific rhythms and developing hand co-ordination. Some drums are provided. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Join Ali Burns on an excursion back to 18th Century Scotland for a sing through some of Robert Burns’ well loved songs arranged in easy harmony. The workshop will be interspersed with background stories and historic narrative. Songs will be taught by ear but music will also be available. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

If you have just started learning the fiddle and you want to try and extend your skills on the instrument, Glasgow Fiddle Workshop tutors will give you that extra help you’ve been looking for. Build your confidence and learn some more tunes and change your life! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

come&try Mandolin

The Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association makes a welcome return with an invitation to come and try this versatile instrument. Tutors have loads of instruments and boundless energy and enthusiasm – it’s absolutely infectious! Come and have a go! 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

Beginner Mandolin

Tutors from the Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association will introduce basic techniques of the mandolin, including playing melodies and chords. The general introduction to music includes looking at a variety of styles, the basics of reading music and music theory. This is a good introduction to the mandolin for players of other fretted instruments. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY come&try Bodhran & Spoons

come&try Djembe

SUNDAY 24th JANUARY come&try Burns Songs

Ready Eddie Scott and Stormin’ Norman Chalmers make a welcome return to Celtic Connections with their distinctively clattering cacophony of a workshop. Some spoons will be provided but if you have a favourite set, bring them along. Raid the cutlery drawer because silver ones make the best noise! Glasgow Fiddle Workshop will provide the tunes. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

come&try Traditional Scots Song

Here’s a workshop for people who want to sing but lack the confidence. Come and learn some great songs with Maureen Jelks. Originally from Dundee, Maureen is one of Scotland’s foremost singers in the tradition. This is a great workshop for those who love to sing but have little or no technical training. Develop the confidence to sing with your own voice and there will be no stopping you. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

Singin’ on yer Mammy’s Knee

This workshop is for adults caring for young children, ie: parents, childminders, play-leaders and grannies too! Lots of dandling songs, action songs and singing games for under 5s. Grown ups must attend and be prepared for lots of bouncing children on their knees. Chrissie StewartSkinner will teach lots of old favourites and new songs too. I’m afraid we cannot provide children for bouncing – you must bring your own! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Buchanan Suite

Beginner Accordion

If you have your own accordion and have recently started to learn the instrument, why not develop your techniques and skills in this workshop led by John Carmichael. You can’t beat the accordion for getting toes tapping so come and learn some new tunes! 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Mandolin for Improvers

This workshop with the Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association will extend your skills on the mandolin. Further plectrum techniques are introduced and the possibilities of musical interpretation are explored. Pieces are taken from a wide variety of styles including folk, classical and popular music. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Harmony Burns

Robert Burns left us a huge legacy of songs and in this workshop Ali Burns will be teaching some of her inspiring harmony arrangements of his songs. Alison, who leads the acclaimed Feral Choir in Dumfries and Galloway is a writer and arranger for choirs and is known throughout Britain for her transcendent harmonies and easy teaching style. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Learn the Irish Pipes in a Day

This instrument has a reputation for being difficult to learn but in the skilled hands of Dave Shaw, piper and pipe-maker from North Durham, you will find that you can learn this sweet instrument in just one day. Honestly! You will astonish yourself with your playing at the end of the day. Over 14s and complete beginners please. 11-4pm / £35 / Buchanan Suite

Play Songs for Bigger Bairns

Fun and games for 5-8 year olds, picking up traditional Scottish children's songs along the way. Chrissie Stewart-Skinner will teach traditional children's songs by ear and by playing games - there will be a warm-up and then singing games and action songs and games associated with the songs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-12.30pm / £4 / Clyde Foyer

Bodhran for Improvers

Mark Dunlop will show you how to expand your repertoire of rhythms and individualise your style of playing. This workshop is for players who have already grasped the basics of the drum and who want to develop light and shade, pace and style in their playing. Please bring your own bodhran. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

In partnership with:

WORKSHOPS

Clarsach Workshop for Beginners

come&try ukulele

Clarsach Workshop for Improvers

SUNDAY 31ST JANUARY come&try Gospel

Heather Downie graduated from the RSAMD with a first class honours degree and went on to study a postgraduate diploma in Performance Studies. She regularly performs and teaches across Scotland and further afield. This workshop is aimed at students of the harp with very little experience. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer Here’s your chance to develop your skills on the clarsach. Heather Downie is a talented and accomplished player and tutor of this beautiful instrument and is known for her enthusiastic and fun-loving approach to teaching. This workshop is for those people who already have some experience of the harp and want to extend their repertoire. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

SATURDAY 30th JANUARY Harmony Singing for Beginners

A splendid exhilarating activity for a Sunday morning! Feel the freedom and experience the excitement of gospel style singing in this session led by Eddie Binnie. Eddie’s enthusiasm for encouraging his students is absolutely boundless and this fun packed workshop will include warm ups, harmony and the possibility (only if you want to) of solo voice improvisation. Complete beginners are very welcome as well as those with more singing experience. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Trad Strings Weekend Masterclass For players of fiddle, viola, cello, string bass With Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Fraser and Haas will hold a special two day masterclass for intermediate to advanced string players based on the fiddle music of Scotland and beyond. You can explore playing traditional music in a group, with emphasis on arrangement ideas and the techniques that give traditional music its particular flavour. They’ll look at the elements of language and dance, and how to put fiddle tunes together to form a medley or a larger piece of music.

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

This workshop with Corrina Hewat will start with some simple warm-ups for the voice, concentrating on the simpler, shorter and quicker to learn songs that bring instant rewards and maximum fun. This workshop in previous years has proved to be popular with new and experienced singers alike. Here’s an opportunity to sing your socks off and have a great time! "Always good fun and energising!" 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Already Harmony

This workshop will consist of some good-time warm-ups, some fun, simple songs that are instantly harmonious and also more complex pieces in several parts that offer the opportunity for a good sing. No need to read music, just bring a voice and a smile and Corrina Hewat will send you singing and probably laughing your way home. "I left feeling so buzzed-up; back in touch with my voice, myself and life!" 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Session Fiddle

Glasgow Fiddle Workshop will lead off this slow session which is suitable for all instruments. If you have always wanted to join a session but lack the confidence, why not come along and learn some good old session favourites. You’ll be surprised how much confidence will be gained by playing familiar and not so familiar tunes with other people. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

come&try Norwegian Fiddle Style

Here’s another opportunity to come and try your hand at this increasingly popular session instrument. Finlay Allison is one of Glasgow Fiddle Workshop’s regular tutors and delights in teaching his students tunes and melodies on this beautiful wee instrument. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

If you can already play the fiddle and are fascinated by the Norwegian style of playing, this is the workshop for you. Britt Pernille Frøholm will demonstrate and teach Hardanger Fiddle from Hornindal and the Sogn og Fjordane region of Norway. This will be a fascinating workshop for fiddle devotees! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Join a band for a Day! Percussion Workshop

Join Glasgow samba band Barulho Beat for the afternoon. Learn a funky samba piece and then perform with the band on the steps of the stunning Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (weather permitting!). Please wear bright, one coloured top and dark trousers/skirts - every band needs stage gear! Age from 13-adult. Fantastic fun! 1.30-3pm / £7 / Exhibition Hall

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th January, 10.15am – 5pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, £55 Please note that spaces are limited and advance booking is essential For more information contact: caroline.hewat@virgin.net 01349 877434

come&try moothie

In this workshop, the poet Gerry Cambridge will take his students on a voyage of discovery on the 10 hole diatonic harmonica, ideal for playing the blues (please note - no other type of harmonica will be suitable). If you have your own instrument in the key of C, you will learn the basics of note bending and other moothie enchantments and delights but if you don’t have your own instrument, we will have some moothies available for sale. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Whistle for Improvers

Hamish Napier is one of the best whistle players in Scotland as well as being an inspiring tutor. In this workshop, he will focus on developing technique and ornamentation relating to the Scottish repertoire. Low whistle players are also welcome to this workshop. 1.30-3pm / £7 / Clyde Foyer

Beginner Ukulele

So now you’re hooked and you want to know more. This is the workshop for you. Expand your knowledge of the instrument, learn more chords and try out lots of new styles and chord changes on this charming instrument. The equally charming Finlay Allison will take you to the next stage in playing the ukulele. You’ll be invited to every dinner party in your street after this workshop. 11am-12.30pm / £7 / Lomond Foyer

Whisky Workshops Fancy trying something different? Join experts from Black Bottle to discover the secrets behind this unique blended Scotch whisky, and have a go at making it yourself! Whether you want to learn more about the blending process, or the creation of one of the whiskies that make up this special dram, there’s a workshop for you at Celtic Connections. Visit www.celticconnections.com for more info.

SPOT tomorrow’s talent today!

Danny Kyle’s Open Stage

Danny Kyle was a passionate supporter of traditional music and a constant campaigner for its revival in Scotland. Each night on the Open Stage, new musical talent is given the chance to shine under the Celtic Connections spotlight and the six best acts win through to the final night showcase concert, which takes place in the Strathclyde Suite. With a support slot at next year’s festival up for grabs, it’s a hard fought competition. Compered by Danny’s close friend Liz Clark, it has been the launch pad for many now familiar names such as Adam Sutherland, Karine Polwart and The Chair. And did we mention – it’s absolutely FREE

old blind dogs

and broadcast live on Celtic Music Radio 1530AM

valkyrien allstars

In partnership with the

fraser anderson

Starts 14th January 5-7pm Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

Sample Showcase Scotland

While the delegates generally spend their time scurrying frantically between different venues, our Showcase Scotland show on 28th January in the O 2 ABC Glasgow (page 42) offers you the chance to sample a wide range of Showcase acts in a rather more relaxed style.

“Showcase Scotland provides a unique opportunity to see the best established and up and coming Scottish folk artists and also to meet and discuss ideas with the leading promoters of celtic music from around the world.” Eddie Barcan, Cambridge Folk Festival Approaching its 11th year, Showcase Scotland has become the nation’s largest international gathering of the music industry, this year with a spotlight on Norway. Taking place at Celtic Connections over the final weekend it features an extensive range of home-grown acts, and is attended by over 200 international musicindustry delegates, representing over 20 countries.

ARTIST A – Z

2Duos

A Adams, Justin Ainslie, Ross Aitken, Joe Alan Kelly Quartet, The Allison, David Allison, Finlay Anarkali Andersen, Eric Anderson, Fraser Anderson, Iain Andrade, Mayra Anger, Darol Antunes, Carlinhos

21 9, 27 60 28 53 62, 64 28 56 24 10, 17, 47 14 14, 29 34

B Bailey, Kit Bain, Aly Baker, Sam Bannatyne, Duncan Barenberg, Russ Barossi, Rui Barulho Beat Bays, The Bearfoot Begley, Seamus Bellevue Rendezvous Besh o droM Bevvy Sisters, The Bharat, Parvinder Big Groove Binnie, Eddie Bittersweets, The Bjørset, Synnøve S. Black Cat Balkan Band Bloom, Luka

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

47 17, 35 40 47 17 34 64 18 50 19, 26 54 18 46 39 62 64 46 54 18 25

Blue Highway Blueflint Blum, Helene Bodega Boyd, Joe Boyle, Kathleen Breabach Brechin, Sandy Brennan, Moya Brian Finnegan Quartet Brüninghaus, Rainer Bryden, Nell Buchan, Harriet Bunyan, Vashti Burke, Kevin Burke, Michelle Burns, Alison Butler, Neil Byrne, Tony Byrnes, The

12 49 34 38 13 11 31 26, 58 22 45 36 44 62 13 22 11, 36 63 47 54 53

Catriona Watt Band Chaimbeul, Mairi Chair, The Chalmers, Norman Cherish the Ladies Chieftains, The Chisholm, Duncan Clark, Liz Cleaves, Slaid Connelly, Paul Cooder, Ry Coogan, Mary Cormack, Arthur Cornish, Alex Cosker, Alyn Cowie, Elspeth Cox, Tony Cramb, Pipe Major Adrian Crowley, Adrian Cunningham, Colin Cunningham, Phil Custy, Tola

41, 47,

19,

59 37 43 63 11 15 54 61 40 56 15 11 52 49 41 60 56 10 43 41 54 28

Donnelly, Desi Dore, Charlie Douglas, Blair Douglas, Henry Douglas, Jerry Downie, Heather Doyle, John Drever, Kris Duff, Marc Duncan, Jock Dunlop, Mark Dunn, Fiona Dunsmuir, Davie Dymock, Barbara

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT C Cabral, Fernanda Cahill, Dennis Callaghan, Patrick Camara, Juldeh Cambridge, Gerry Campbell, Kenna Campbell, Mairi Capercaillie Carmichael, John Carolina Chocolate Drops Carroll, Liz Carter, Sam Carthy, Eliza Carthy, Martin Casey, Karan Cataldo

14,

52,

11,

27,

9 53 37 21 64 53 50 19 63 30 14 50 18 18 39 48

10, 11, 17,

D Dangerfield, Fyfe Daniel, Yuri Dave Milligan Trio Davison, Ian De Dannan Deadly Gentlemen, The Del Castillo Deolinda Dervish Dickinson, Johnny Dickson, Barbara Dillon, Cara Dillon, Roisin Donaldson, Shona

40 36 27 60 20 43, 46 39 36 22 44 47 17 11 38, 58

39 15 48, 52 60 17 63 11, 14, 17, 27 10, 24 26 60 63 59 41 60

Eaglesham, Stuart Edey, Tim Egeland, Ånon

41 26 30

F Fabulous Borsini Brothers Felpeyu Ferrard, David Fidil Fifield, Fraser Fisher, Archie Flannery, Mick Foulds, Mattie Frankie Gavin and The New De Dannan Fraser, Alasdair Freeman, Dr Fred Fribo

11 41 60 58 9 55 49 10 20 14, 53, 64 26 38

G Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Garbarek, Jan

42 16, 36

ARTIST A – Z Gartside, Green Gaughan, Dick Gavin, Frankie Geremia, Steph Gilchrist, Maeve Gjermund Larsen Trio Glasgow Fiddle Workshop Gospel Truth Choir Grace, Annie Graham, James Grant, Aonghas Green, Mairearad Grinn Guidewires Gunn, Gordon Gurtu, Trilok

H Haas, Natalie Hall, Mhairi Hannigan, Lisa Hansard, Glen Hanson, Christine Haramina, Saska Harland, Neil Hart, Roddy Harvey, Naomi Haugaard, Harald Hayes, Martin Henderson, Allan Henderson, Ewen Henderson, Jarlath Henderson, Kevin Hennessy, Donogh Hewat, Corrina Hewerdine, Boo Hitchcock, Robyn Hobopop Collective, The

SPONSORED BY

63,

41,

13 41 20 28 38 25 64 35 37 52 56 27 59 28 52 36

Holcombe, Malcolm Holmes, Adam Holmes, Michael Hobkirk, Kathy Horse Hot Club of Cowtown Hughes, Allan Hulett, Alistair Hunt, Eamonn Hutton, Ali

44, 56 32 22 60 35 39 63 60 58 9

I Iliev, Jony Imagined Village, The Innes, Gary Inveraray and District Pipe Band Ionita, Tantzica Irglova, Marketa Ivitsky, Conrad Irvine, Pete

13 18 11, 41, 47 10 13 34 51 47

Kane, Pat Kazumi, Nikaido Kellock, Brian Kelly, Alan Kelly, John Joe Kelly, Liam Kennedy, Mary Kennedy, Mary Ann Kennedy, Nuala Kennedy, Seumas Kennedy, Wilma Kenny, John Kidjo, Angélique King Chiaullee Korhonen, Ilona Koshka

47 45 32 28 39 11 53 19, 55, 61 32 53 53, 60 9, 38 21 20 30 38

Lyn, Dana

14, 53, 64 31, 54 13 34 56 18 34 38 60 34 14, 53 54 56 27 24, 30 28 37, 64 57 13 44

J Jackson, Jill James Graham Trio James, Elana Jansberg, Henrik Jarvie, Professor Grant Jeffrey, Craig Jelks, Maureen Johannsen, Olov John McSherry Quartet Jones, Aaron Jones, Diana Jordan, Cathy

46 52 39 30 47 56 63 38 48 26 37 22

K Kaloome Kalsi, Johnny

13 18

Labhruidh, Griogair Lanarkshire Guitar & Mandolin Association Larsen, Gjermund Lau Le Vent du Nord Lee, Dick Leech, Oisin Legendary Gypsy Queens and Kings, The Leslie, Jeana Lightfoot, Rona Lone Star Swing Band, The Lord Cut Glass Los Cenzontles Lost Brothers, The Low Anthem, The Lúnasa Lunny, Manus Lupton, Hugh Lyall, Duncan

19, 38, 59 63 25 9, 16 31 38 34 13 51 19, 26 57 43 15 34 24 16 54 38 27

M MacAskill, Ishbel MacColl, Lauren MacCuish, Alasdair MacCrimmon, Calum Macdonald, Catriona MacDonald, Fergie MacDonald, Finlay MacDonald, Iain MacDonald, Kirsteen MacDonald, Maggie MacDougall, Lorne MacFarlane-Barrow, Magnus Mac Giolla Bhríde, Doimnic MacGregor, Bruce MacInnes, Fraser MacInnes, Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacInnes, Mairi MacIntyre, Colin MacIntyre, Sineag MacIver, Norrie Mackenzie, Eilidh Mackenzie, Katie Mackinnon, Maeve Mackintosh, James MacLean, Darren MacLeod, Alasdair MacLean, Norman MacLeod, Iain Macleod, Kevin MacMillan, Calum Alex MacMillan, Ruairidh MacPherson, Ewan Madden, Joanie Madison Violet

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

24, 16,

19, 60 9, 38 11 29 54 11 31 54 19, 60 53 32, 37, 62 47 38 58 11 9, 54 52 47, 60 27 60 47, 60 52, 60 38 10, 38 17, 26, 39, 54 52, 60, 62 11 47 32 61 60 32 38 11 38

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

ARTIST A – Z

Magic Lantern Show, The Mahadevan, Shankar Mahala Raï Banda Majorstuen Malcolm, Jim Malo, Raul Marful Marra, Michael Marshall, Mike Martin, Ronan Massie, Anna Matheson, Karen Matthews, Scott May, Andy May, Imelda McAllister, Archie McAlpine, Brian McCalman, Ian McCalmans, The McCausland, Mark McClelland, Lionel McConnell, Jack McCormack, Alyth McCulloch, Gordeanna McDonagh, Brian McFerrin, Bobby McGeehan, Damien McGoldrick, Michael McIntosh, Lorraine McIntosh Ross McKay, Catriona McKeon, Seán McKerron, Charlie McLeish, Henry McMahon, Tony McNab, Duncan McNeill, Brian McSherry, Paul

26,

17,

11, 10,

17, 22,

9, 14, 34,

WWW.CELTICCONNECTIONS.COM

11,

41 16 13 32 52 45 20 52 14 11 29 35 40 62 43 41 52 30 30 34 60 47 42 60 22 12 58 39 10 10 38 57 24 47 58 60 60 28

McVicar, Ewan Merchant, Natalie Mhairi Hall Trio Michael McGoldrick Band Miller, Siobhan Milligan, David Mitchell, Shane Moffat, Aidan Moishe’s Bagel Molard, Jacky Molard, Patrick Molsky, Bruce Morran, John Morrison, Fred Morrison Snr, Iain Morrison, Iain Morrow, Tom Morse Brown, Barney Mukherjee, Sheema Mulhearn, John Murdoch, Stuart Murison, Geordie Murray, Mirella

60 16 31 39 10, 51 27, 54 22 43 39 20, 31 31 17 26 42 26 26 22 18 18 45 13 60 11

Núñez, Carlos Nygaard, Scott

9 29

Potentini, Anghjula Power, David Pringle, Lucy Pur

58 14 18 54 54 51 27 57 58 59 50 48 42 51 27 34 27 39 11 48

O Ó Maonaigh, Ciarán Ó Maonlai, Liam Oates, Jackie O'Brien, Mollie O'Brien, Tim Occasionals, The O'Connell, Maura O’Connor, Liam O'Donnell, Aidan O'hEadhra, Brian O'Kane, Damien Old Believers, The Old Blind Dogs One Fine Day O'Neill, Kevin O’Neill, Martin O'Rourke, Aidan O'Rourke, Declan Orr, Tom Outside Track, The

17, 17, 9, 11, 38, 26, 58,

Quigg, Stephen Quigley, Ryan

N Na h-Oganaich Na Seòid Napier, Hamish National Jazz Trio of Scotland, The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland Naturally 7 Ni Charra, Niamh Ní Mhaoinaigh, Mairéad Nicolson, Nancy Nielsen Chapman, Beth Noakes, Rab Notman, Ruth Nugent, Alecia

19 19 59, 64 45 9 42 48 19, 54 60 15 56 44 12

P Paxton, Tom Peatbog Faeries Penguin Café Pennoù Skoulm Pernice, Joe Pernille Frøholm, Britt Phantom Band, The Phillips, Hannah Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three Pollock, Emma Polwart, Karine Poozies, The

36 25 23 20 50 64 43 37 31, 38 43 10, 37 52

60 9

r Reader, Eddi Red Snapper Red Stick Ramblers Redzepova, Esma Reid, Bethany Reid, Elaine Reid, Jenna Renwick, Andy Rhodes, Kimmie Rhythm Wave Riach, Professor Alan Richey, Kim Roberts, Alasdair Robertson, B.A. Robertson, Ewan Rohrer, Thomas Ross, James Ross, Ricky Rougvie, Doris Rupa and the April Fishes Rusby, Kate Russell MSP, Michael Russell, Tom Rynne, Pádraig

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT 9,

29 58 30 38

17, 25 18 39 13 28 56 28 10 40 9 47 57 53 10 32 34 38 10, 47, 55 60 22 22 47 40, 56 28

s Saint, Stevie Sainte-Marie, Buffy

41 23

ARTIST A – Z Salsa Celtica Saltfishforty Sands, Colum Sands, Tommy Sandu, Aurelia Sandu, Florentina Sarah-Jane Summers Trio Scott, Darrell Scott, Eddie Scottish Ensemble ScottishPower Pipe Band Session A9 Seudan Shaw, Dave Shaw, Donald Shaw, Eilidh Shee, The Shepherd, Robbie Simonson, Jonas Simpson, Martin Skáidi Skalder Skerryvore Skipinnish Smedley, Jack Smith, Emily Smith, John Somerville, John Sonos Souza, Alan Speed Caravan Spillane, John Spina, Adriana Spiro Stephenson, Ian Stevenson, Anna-Wendy Stewart, Andy M Stewart, Calum

17,

10,

14 51 55 28 13 13 38 25 63 35 8 24 57 63 39 11 42 55 30 50 54 52 41 41 32 26 44 27 20 9 21 49 35 23 34 54 58 51

Stewart, Norman Stewart, Sheila Stewart-Skinner, Chrissie Stornoway Stout, Chris Stringjammer Sutherland, Adam Sutherland, Jim Swarbrick, Dave Swire, Dr Jim Swell Season, The

60 60 63 40 9, 14, 34 51 24, 27 9 41 47 34

Vass, Mike Veirs, Laura Vernal, Ewen

29 48 39

W Walker, Rachel Warren, Krystle Warren, Kyle Watkins, Sara Watson, Innes Watson, Lori Watt, Catriona Watt, Irene Watt, John Wells, Bill Wilkie, Euan Williams, Holly Wilson, Jason Winkleman, Claudia Wishart, Ruth Wiyos, The Wolfstone Wood, Chris Woodward, Alun Wright, Chris

41, 59 13 37 17 27 32 32, 59 60 60 43 56 49 41 55 47 31 41 18, 38 43 30

Photography credits Peter Dibdin: Cover image and brochure theme photography (1, 5, 61, 65) Lieve Boussauw: The Treacherous Orchestra (2, 22), Old Fruitmarket (19), Pennoù Skoulm (20), Nordic Tone (30), Karen Matheson (35), Michael McGoldrick (39), The Chair (43), Ceilidh (51), Workshops (63) Ashley Coombes, EpicScotland: Torchlight Parade (8) Dave Taylor: Torchlight Parade (8) Craig MacKay: Aidan O’Rourke (9) Daniela Dacorso: Carlos Núñez (9) Annie Tuite: Phil Cunningham (11) Larry Shirkey: Cherish the Ladies (11) Ann Marsden: Bobby McFerrin (12) Keith Morris: Nick Drake (13) Joan Thomas: Aurelia Sandu (13) Maria Camillo: Väsen (14) Susan Titelman: Ry Cooder (15) Elio Guidi: Trilok Gurtu (16) Con Kelleher: Lúnasa (16), Niall Vallely (26) Jeremy Cowart: Sara Watkins (17) Stuart Barett: Black Cat Balkan Band, Balkanarama (18) Bartosz Madejski: Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara (21) Emile Holba: Penguin Cafe (23) Will Tell: Buffy Sainte-Marie (23) Tom McKelvey: Danny Thompson (25) John Irons: Tunes for Gordon (27) Conor Masterson: The Swell Season (34) Lindsay Addison: Patrick Callaghan (37), Mairi Chaimbeul (37), Lorne MacDougall (37), Hannah Phillips (37), Daniel Thorpe (37), Kyle Warren (37) Archie MacFarlane: Sarah-Jane Summers Trio (38) Rachel Waller: Del Castillo (39) Genia Ainsworth: Dick Gaughan (41) Michael Flack: Shugo Tokumaru (45) Chris Barany: Joe Pernice (50) Louis DeCarlo: Breabach (31), Lori Watson (32), The Poozies (52), Old Blind Dogs (65) Leila Angus: Catriona Macdonald (54) Reaaz Mohammad: Duncan Chisholm (54) Sean Purser: BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay (55) Blowfish: Tom Russell (56) Rebecca Marr: Long Gone Lonesome (57) Fin Serck-Hanssen: Valkyrien Allstars (65)

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT

11, 17,

9, 10,

Talbot, Heidi Taylor, Allan Taylor, Brian Thom, Sandi Thompson, Danny Thompson, Teddy Thorpe, Daniel Tokumaru, Shugo Tommy Sands Trio Treacherous Orchestra, The True North Orchestra Tyminski, Dan Tyskie

28 56 47 49 13, 17, 25 13 32, 37 45 28 22 9 17 27

U Unni Boksasp Ensemble Unwinding Hours, The

Yates, Neil 58 43

10 43 26 40 14, 22 29

Z Zoey Van Goey

V Vale of Atholl Pipe Band Valkyrien Allstars, The Vallely, Niall Vance, Foy Väsen Vass, Ali

We would like to thank all the photographers who may be uncredited, this was completely unintentional. SPONSORED BY

TICKETS: 0141 353 8000

EDUCATION:

AT THE HEART OF CELTIC CONNECTIONS

Whether it’s enabling children to experience live music for the first time, or giving adults the chance to try a new instrument, Celtic Connections is as committed to ensuring the future of traditional music as it is to celebrating the past and the present.

Up to 16,000 children each year attend special concerts by big-name Celtic artists in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall during the festival. For many, this will be their first experience of live music, and an unforgettable introduction to Scottish culture and its links to music from around the world. Free to schools and home educators throughout Scotland, the concerts attract schools from as far away as Tiree, Fort William and Dumfries & Galloway. The final education concert this year will also feature the winner of the ScottishPower Powerful Performance – a nationwide schools competition run by Celtic Connections’ principal sponsor, aimed at encouraging more children to celebrate Scotland’s musical heritage. Over 2,000 Glasgow children annually benefit from in-school workshops, offering a hands-on introduction to everything from fiddle to Scottish step-dancing! Since 1998 over 170,000 children from all over Scotland

have participated in the Celtic Connections Education Programme. For more information on the public workshops run during the festival, please see pages 62-64. “A wonderful opportunity for children to participate in this international festival. The Celtic Connections Education Programme gives children opportunities for new experiences which children may not otherwise have outside of school. The visit to the concert hall itself is an invaluable experience in terms of social education and citizenship, as the children have the opportunity to assemble with pupils from other schools from in and around Glasgow. St Stephen’s Primary School The Celtic Connections Education Programme is supported by Creative Scotland and Celtic Connections Friends.

MAP

MAP and venue details 1

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

40 Pacific Quay, G51 1DA 0141 422 6000

2 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3NY 0141 353 8080

City Halls, Recital Room & Old Fruitmarket Candleriggs, G1 1NQ 0141 353 8080 www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

www.standrewsinthesquare.com

THE ARCHES 2

The Art School 10

www.theartschool.co.uk

www.oran-mor.co.uk

1 St Andrew’s Square, G1 5PP 0141 559 5902

CCA

167 Renfrew Street, G3 6RQ 0141 353 4500

Òran Mór

St. Andrew’s in the Square

253 Argyle Street, G2 8DL 0141 565 1000

Byres Road, G12 8QX 0141 357 6200 6

Tron Theatre

www.cca-glasgow.com 10

GLASgow ART CLUB www.glasgowartclub.co.uk

350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD 0141 352 4900

185 Bath Street, G2 4HU 0141 221 7161 5

www.tron.co.uk

300 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JA 0141 332 2232 4

63 Trongate, G1 5HB 0141 552 3748

O 2 ABC Glasgow www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

www.glasgowconcerthalls.com 2

BBC Scotland

The Pearce Institute 840-860 Govan Road, G51 3UU 0141 445 6007 www.pearceinstitute.org.uk

7 12

TITLE:

SUB TITLE

AWAITING 2011 CONTENT