Make the connection

The countdown to the world-renowned Celtic Connections has begun with a veritable smorgasbord of venues, acts and events that has become the benchmark of this marathon festival with traditional roots and global appeal.
By Nuala Naughton
Published 15th Jan 2015, 11:00 BST

Organisers promise this year’s eclectic 18-day programme will have something for every musical taste, including some of the best-known musicians in traditional and roots music, world, indie, jazz, folk, soul and Americana.

With more than 2,000 musicians from every corner of the globe descending on the city starting from today (Thursday), the Celtic Connections backroom elves and magicians will certainly not disappoint a fan base of thousands, many of whom also make the pilgramage from afar to Glasgow for this belter of a musicfest.

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The festival will take place in 17 venues across the city. Tickets are already selling fast for favourites and there are some new names added to the line-up, not least former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker.

CC stalwarts Kate St John, Dick Gaughan, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy and Karine Polwart return with a diversity of music genre compositions, typical of the truly catholic mix of music and dance that is a signature of the festival.

Carlos Núñez returns with a new commission, The Atlantic Corridor, and will be joined by a host of special guests including Argentina’s stellar accordionist and chamame virtuoso Chango Spasiuk, with a patchwork quilt of different material from Galicia, Ireland and Brittany, along with newly-created Scottish piping arrangements.

And new talent will also have a chance to cut a dash on this world music stage.

See www.celticconnections.com.

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