Strathspey artists to feature at Europe’s largest winter music festival
Artists from Strathspey will take to the stage at Europe’s largest winter music festival – Celtic Connections – taking place in Glasgow early next year.
Carrbridge's Ewan Robertson, of Breabach fame, and his long-time friend Hamish Napier, from Grantown, will join more than 1,000 fellow musicians from across the world taking part in the 18-day showcase of events spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music.
The UK’s premier roots music festival will brighten up the dark and gloomy winter nights from Thursday 19th January – Sunday 5th February 2023.
There will be hundreds of performances, landmark musical collaborations, talks, workshops, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.
Celtic Connections 2023 will be the 30th edition of the world-famous festival, and will recognise the advancements and achievements of the last three decades and all that organisers have overcome to bring people together in a defining cultural celebration.
It will also acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of the Scottish music scene, and the live entertainment industry, in the face of adversity.
The Strathspey artists will be right at the heart of the action, joining international sensations, rising stars and homegrown talent alike in entertaining loyal audiences flocking to Glasgow for the annual event.
Ewan Robertson, a fine singer and highly dynamic rhythm guitarist, is set to delight crowds with fellow Breabach members at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday 27th January.
Ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite their deep roots in Highland and Islands tradition with innovative musical concepts to create a truly unique sound.
With numerous Scots Trad Music Awards and nominations under their belt, it is always a very special treat to see this incredible band live in concert.
Flautist, singer and pianist, Hamish Napier will perform three times at the festival.
Firstly, in the opening concert on Thursday 19th January alongside celebrated Highland fiddle player Duncan Chisholm (Wolfstone) from the Inverness area, and leading Scottish poet Jim Macintosh from Perth, in a special adaption of their acclaimed audio-visual show ‘Beyond the Swelkie’ about the life of the Orkney Poet George Mackay Brown.
Hamish and Duncan have a folk tune co-writing partnership that spans the last five years and includes the pieces composed for Duncan’s award-winning album ‘Sandwood' back in 2018.
With the new addition of ace bagpipe-composer Ross Ainslie from Perth, they will perform Duncan’s much anticipated new album ‘Black Cuillin’, in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 2nd February.
Finally towards the end of the festival, on Saturday 4th February, Hamish appears in The Mackintosh Church, with ’Nae Plans’, his dare devil, off-the-cuff duo show with maverick Loch Ness fiddler Adam Sutherland.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to the 30th edition of Celtic Connections in Glasgow - it’s set to be a really special start to the new year.
“We’re always thrilled to be able to showcase brilliant Scottish artists from across the country and we’re looking forward to seeing them entertain crowds on this international stage this January.”
For the programme line-up and tickets for Celtic Connections 2023 go to www.celticconnections.com .
Celtic Connections began in 1994, when it offered 66 events at one venue. Since then it’s grown more adventurous, experimental and diverse each year and now offers thousands of events in locations across Glasgow.
The festival is delivered with funding from Glasgow City Council through Glasgow Life. Creative Scotland and The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund continue to provide invaluable support to Celtic Connections.
