Celtic Connections – Wednesday 19th January
With the festival well and truly underway today’s show highlight is without doubt at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where the Main Auditorium plays host to ‘Monumental Scott’ – celebrating the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter’s Scott’s The Lady of the Lake.
The event includes a specially commissioned new work from accordionist Phil Cunningham and contributions from well known names including the likes of Eddi Reader, John McCusker and Karen Matheson to name but a few.
Later in the evening, a more relaxed format with the free Late Night Sessions, hosted by the ever remarkable Findlay Napier for a night of folk and fun.
Iain Anderson in Conversation
Rab Noakes with Stewart Cruickshank
Wed 19 January, 12:30pm
£5
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall
Rab Noakes and Senior BBC Music producer Stewart Cruickshank discuss the influence of Scottish songs and poetry on Bob Dylan
Celtic Connections Danny Kyle’s Open Stage
Wed 19 January, 5pm
Free
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall
Hosted by Danny Kyle’s good friend Liz Clark, the Open Stage is a chance to see new musical talent as they try to win a coveted support slot at next year’s festival .
In partnership with the Evening Times
Monumental Scott featuring Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson and Eddi Reader
Wed 19 January, 7:30pm
£20, £18
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium
The acclaimed Glasgow-born actor Bill Paterson will narrate Monumental Scott, the grand finale to ScottsLand, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake, this evening of music, song and spoken word includes the premiere of a specially-commissioned new work by accordionist Phil Cunningham and features John McCusker, Karen Matheson and Eddi Reader as well as some special guests. Paterson said: “I’m delighted to be working with some of my favourite musicians and singers, I’m a big fan. And I used to live in a flat in George Street that Scott had lived in, so having shared a bedsit with the man, I’m looking forward to working with him.”
This event has been supported by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as part of the ScottsLand programme of events.
The Walkmen and Laki Mera
Wed 19 January, 7:30pm
£12.50 – over 14s only, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
Òran Mór
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 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)
Glasgow four-piece Laki Mera’s arresting, multi-layered soundscapes, merging elements of trip-hop, electronica, classical, ambient and folk, have drawn admiring comparisons to the Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack and Ryuichi Sakamoto
World Fiddle Night with Tim Kliphuis, Charlie McKerron, Tim Edey, Frankie Gavin, Koshka and Sharat Chandra Srivastava
Wed 19 January, 8pm
£12.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite
Masterly fiddle music from five countries; five stunning syntheses of traditional, contemporary, classical, native and international elements: light the touch-paper and stand well back…
Irish legend Frankie Gavin, having long proved himself a world citizen of the fiddle, recently entered the record-books as officially the world’s fastest player. Not that anyone’s competing tonight, of course, although Dutchman Tim Kliphuis’s effervescent jazz/folk/classical cocktail, or Koshka’s Russian gypsy pyrotechnics, might give him a run for his money. The home team features Charlie McKerron, of Capercaillie and Session A9 fame, while India’s Sharat Chandra Srivastava (India Alba/Mrigya) straddles disciplines from ragas to rock.
Alasdair Roberts and Muntu Valdo
Wed 19 January, 8pm
£12.50
Tron Theatre
Part traditional balladeer, part nu-folk hero, Alasdair Roberts weaves potent new magic from ancient songs and myths in a starkly beautiful, strikingly literate blend of reworked folk material and compelling original songs. His latest release, the rapturously received Too Long in This Condition, will be followed by another self-penned collection in 2011.
The radiantly uplifting sound of young Cameroonian singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player Muntu Valdo, deftly incorporating live loops and sampling, reunites the African roots of blues, soul, funk and Latin music.
Otros Aires and RoughCoastAudio
Wed 19 January, 8pm
£14
Old Fruitmarket
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. The group’s first performance in Scotland will also feature a visual accompaniment. With their dynamic ensemble interplay honed by extensive international touring since they formed in 2003, Otros Aires recently released their fourth album Tricota.
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 line-up includes vocalists Maeve Mackinnon, Siobhan Miller, Anne Sofie Linge Valdal and Naomi Harvey, fiddler Patsy Reid and bassist Conrad Molleson.
Glesamericana Night with The Moonshiners and Cahoots hosted by Mick West
Wed 19 January, 8pm
£10
The Art Club
Celtic Connections will turn the characteristic Glasgow Art Club into a typical folk club celebrating the best of the Scottish folk scene.
MC for four of the events will be one of Scotland’s finest interpreters of traditional song, Mick West.
Four-piece bluegrass band, The Moonshiners play traditional and modern bluegrass mixed with innovative tunes, including original compositions. Their set includes a broad spectrum of ballads, driving instrumentals and songs.
The line-up is completed by Cahoots – a four piece band with vocals, guitars, mandolins, dobro, fiddle and moothie. Their combination of folk rock and country blues was first rewarded with a Danny Kyle Open Stage Highly Commended Award back in 2000.
Celtic Connections Late Night Sessions
Wed 19 January, 10pm
Free and not ticketed
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall
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, hosted by Findlay Napier. 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.
