Celtic Connections Listings - Thursday 29th January - Sunday 1st February

Listings:

Celtic Connections Listings:

Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th January

Thursday 29th January

Iain Anderson in Conversation

Roger Bilcliffe and Douglas Gordon
Thursday 29 January, 12:30pm
£3.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

Roger Bilcliffe discusses the Catalonian connection and Scottish art with the installation artist Douglas Gordon.

Celtic Music Radio 1530AM Live

Gordon Hotchkiss Hotchpotch Afternoon Session
Thursday 29 January, 2pm
Free
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

Gordon Hotchkiss presents his show live from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, featuring all the latest festival news, as well as concert previews and interviews with festival artists.

Danny Kyle's Open Stage

Thursday 29 January, 5pm
Free
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

Hosted by Danny Kyle's good Fridayends Gibb Todd and 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 - and all absolutely free!

Cathal McConnell & Friends

Thursday 29 January, 6pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

Flute player, tin whistler and singer Cathal McConnell is a true character in every sense of the word. He defies easy categoriSaturdayion; he is equal parts modern virtuoso and old-time roots musician. Tonight he is joined by Fridayends including Nuala Kennedy (flute/vocals) and Duncan Wood (fiddle).

La Bottine Souriante with Julie Fowlis

Thursday 29 January, 7:30pm
£20, £18
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium

It's sure to be an uproarious welcome back to Celtic Connections for Quebec's outstanding musical ambassadors, the unstoppable 10-piece party machine that is La Bottine Souriante, last seen at the festival back in 2004. Formed in 1976 in the music-rich Francophone region of Lanaudiere, La Bottine have earned their reputation as "the best band in the world" - according to US folk bible Dirty Linen - by cooking up traditional dance tunes and chorus songs with jazz, salsa and funk flavours, courtesy of a sizzling-hot brass section.

Gaelic song phenomenon Julie Fowlis won yet more new fans in 2008 with her translated version of the Beatles' Blackbird, as featured on November's enhanced reissue of her award-winning second album Cuilidh. Recently named as the Scottish Executive's inaugural Gaelic Ambassador of the Year, she appears with regular accompanists EaMonday Doorley, Duncan Chisholm, Tony Byrne and Martin O'Neill.

Judy Collins and Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller

Thursday 29 January, 7:30pm
£16
City Halls, Grand Hall

An iconic figure in the 1960s US folk revival, Judy Collins made her name performing both traditional songs - as on her celebrated 1961 debut, A Maid of Constant Sorrow - and those of her now-famous contemporaries, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Her Grammy-winning covers of Mitchell's Both Sides Now and Stephen Sondheim's Send in the Clowns are widely regarded as definitive versions, while Collins' repertoire has steadily widened to include her own poetic ballads along with pop, theatre and cabaret songs. Collins' current career renaissance finds her pure soprano voice and elegant phrasing in as mesmerising form as ever.

Winners of the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, Siobhan Miller and Jeana Leslie are Scotland's brightest song-based duo, combining their rare vocal chemistry with Leslie's exceptional fiddle playing. In between their studies for the RSAMD's Scottish Music degree, they released their highly-praised debut album In a Bleeze last summer.

James Grant and Liz Durrett

Thursday 29 January, 7:30pm
£15 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
ABC

Since Love and Mondayey split in the mid-1990s, their former frontman James Grant has emerged as one of Scotland's most individual and affecting contemporary songwriters. His finely crafted solo releases have included the acclaimed poetry settings found on 2002's I Shot the Albatross, and the stripped-down country/gospel echoes of 2004's Holy Love. Now passing on his craft as a lecturer in songwriting at the RSAMD, Grant returns to Celtic Connections to launch his new album Strange Flowers, with a full band including longtime collaborators Donald Shaw (keyboards), Ewen Vernal (bass) and Fraser Spiers (harMondayica).

Hailing from the feted musical precincts of Athens, Georgia, singer-songwriter Liz Durrett entwines strands of folk, country and southern Gothic into her own distinctively lush yet spacious sound.

Mick West Band and Lori Watson & Rule of Three

Thursday 29 January, 8pm
£12.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

Mick West belongs to that elite musical category, the singers' singer. Alongside his masterly interpretations of traditional Scots song, he also has a rare gift for unexpected cover-versions - as with his soulful rendition of My Funny Valentine on his latest album, A Poor Man's Labour. He'll be accompanied by Stevie Lawrence (bouzouki), Fraser Fifield (sax/whistles), Frank McLaughlin (guitar) and Ali Hutton (pipes/whistles/bodhran/guitar).

Singer and fiddler Lori Watson combines traditional material from her native Borders region with striking original compositions. Launching their much-anticipated second album Pleasure's Coin, her trio with brother Innes (guitar) and John Somerville (accordion) is joined by Duncan Lyall (bass) and Donald Hay (percussion).

Mary Gauthier and Carrie Rodriguez

Thursday 29 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Tron Theatre

Crafted with an observational acuity derived from her own experience of life's darker margins, Mary Gauthier's haunting country-noir songs illuminate such lives with compelling vividness and empathy, most recently on her fifth album, Between Daylight and Dark.

After launching on the Americana scene in her duo with Chip Taylor, Carrie Rodriguez is now spreading her wings as a solo artist, having co-written - with Gauthier, aMondayg others - all but one of the songs on her adventurously eclectic sophomore release, She Ain't Me.

Dirk Powell & Riley Baugus and The Foghorn Duo

Thursday 29 January, 8pm
£12.50
St Andrew's in the Square

The classic old-time sound of fiddle aficionado Dirk Powell and banjo ace Riley Baugus is steeped in tradition, and inspired by a deep appreciation of their Appalachian heritage. They will be joined by bluegrass masters The Foghorn Duo, otherwise known as Caleb Klauder and Stephen "Sammy" Lind.

Songs of Scotland

Glasgow Songwriters
Thursday 29 January, 8pm
£10
Universal

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.

Tonight will be hosted by Doris Rougvie and features Ian Davidson, Iain Ingram and Maggie MacDonald.

Jim Moray and Kaela Rowan

Thursday 29 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Classic Grand

Jim Moray's stunning 2003 debut Sweet England announced him as a bold new adventurer in traditional song, uniting its timeless melodies and narratives - and his own hauntingly expressive voice - with 21st century digital techniques. The experimentation continues, just as excitingly - as does the gorgeous singing - on his new album Low Culture, whose highlights include a grime/rap version of the epic murder ballad Lucy Wan, and XTC's All You Pretty Girls reinvented as a sea-shanty.

Opening the show will be former Mouth Music and Sola vocalist Kaela Rowan, now a member of hotly-tipped harMondayy trio The Bevvy Sisters, here showcasing her own compelling songwriting.

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

Travelling Folk/Folk Club Special with Archie Fisher and Colum Sands Thursday 29 January, 8pm Free but ticketed BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay

Archie Fisher is joined by Colum Sands as two of the longest running folk programmes on radio come together for a special live show. Featuring some of the best music from this year's festival, from BBC Scotland's new headquarters at Pacific Quay. Live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster.

Showcase Scotland with Fiddlers' Bid, Brendan Campbell, Bodega and Corrina Hewat

Thursday 29 January, 9:30pm £16 Old Fruitmarket

A packed programme of diverse home-grown talent, kicking off this weekend's tenth Showcase Scotland promotion at Celtic Connections, during which around 180 international music-industry delegates will attend performances by dozens of Scottish acts. This one-stop sampler concert includes the mighty Shetland seven-piece Fiddlers' Bid: four outstanding fiddlers, expertly backed with harp, piano, guitar and bass. Famed equally for hurricane-force reels and silkily orchestrated slower numbers, they'll be previewing new sets from their forthcoming fifth album.

Also on the bill are the young vocal/instrumental quintet Bodega, with their dynamic mix of traditional, contemporary and original material, and singer/harpist Corrina Hewat, taking time out from the Unusual Suspects to showcase the stunningly innovative solo artistry displayed on her latest release, Harp I Do. Glaswegian singer, songwriter and guitarist Brendan Campbell, meanwhile, continues to carve out his own distinct niche on the nu-folk scene, merging Celtic lyricism with moody urban edge.

Celtic Connections Festival Club hosted by Gibb Todd

Thursday 29 January, 10:30pm
£5
Quality Hotel

Get ready for some late-night music!

Our late-night club ensures there is even more music to enjoy after all the gigs are over. Join local and international artists as they make special unbilled appearances or join in one of many sessions happening in the bars.

With food and drink in plentiful supply you can happily keep going into the early hours of the morning whilst witnessing some of the best musical collaborations of the festival.

Master of cereMondayies, Gibb Todd returns to present each act on stage and Doris Rougvie hosts The House of Song in a peaceful oasis away from the main stage.

Friday 30th January

Danny Kyle's Open Stage

Friday 30 January, 5pm Free Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall Hosted by Danny Kyle's good Fridayends Gibb Todd and 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 - and all absolutely free! Sponsored by the Evening Times

Simon Thoumire and David Milligan

Friday 30 January, 6pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

SiMonday Thoumire (concertina) and David Milligan (piano) are two of the finest exponents of the contemporary Scottish music scene, bringing the two worlds of folk and jazz to their collaboration.

Transatlantic Sessions "Bringing it all Back Home"

Friday 30 January, 7:30pm
£24, £22
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium

As a fitting finale to Celtic Connections' celebration of Homecoming Scotland 2009, this year's TranSaturdaylantic Sessions will highlight the traditional songs and tunes which crossed the Atlantic with Scottish and Irish emigrants over the last 300 years, to form a key bedrock of American roots music. From the Appalachian Mountains to Greenwich Village coffeehouses; from the trailblazing careers of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger to today's post-O Brother, Where Art Thou? revival, these transplanted Celtic roots have continued to evolve and flourish in New World soil, and these two very special shows will see them welcomed back home by a dazzling international cast of musicians.

From across the pond, featured vocalists include the much-loved country-folk star Nanci Griffith, reconnecting with her own Scottish roots, and fellow Grammy-winner Kathy Mattea, whose haunting 2008 album Coal draws on her family's history in the mines and mountains of Appalachia. Also aMondayg the Stateside singers, Dan Tyminski will be familiar to many as a linchpin of Alison Krauss' Union Station and as the voice of George Clooney from the aforementioned Coen brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, while TranSaturdaylantic Sessions regulars Tim O'Brien, Bruce Molsky and Dirk Powell once again juggle vocal and multi-instrumental duties. Joining this stellar line-up are the exquisite Scottish and Gaelic voices of Eddi Reader and Julie Fowlis.

Ultra-classy accompaniment and awesome instrumentals will be supplied by a similarly creme de la creme array of US and Celtic talent, once again under the musical direction of Shetland fiddle maestro Aly Bain and dobro legend Jerry Douglas. Others confirmed to appear include accordion ace Phil Cunningham, Capercaillie's Donald Shaw and Michael McGoldrick, ex-Solas guitarist John Doyle, bassist Todd Parks and drummer James Mackintosh. Following last year's double sell-out, the concert will again be staged twice, with all featured artists appearing on both nights, and is sure to be remembered as one of the year's best homecoming parties.

Supported by Homecoming Scotland

Ruarri Joseph and Iain Morrison

Friday 30 January, 7:30pm
£12.50 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
Oran Mor

Contrary to its title, the debut album from Cornwall's Ruarri Joseph, 2007's Tales of Grime and Grit, was a mostly gladsome, easy-going affair, which saw its young author hailed as a British answer to Jack Johnson. Joseph's eagerly-awaited follow-up, Both Sides of the Coin, reveals a new, darker-edged depth to his songwriting, potently twinned with his trademark upbeat melodies.

Iain Morrison, Lewis-born singer, songwriter and piper, has won a growing reputation as a solo artist, with his powerfully atmospheric blend of folk and acoustic rock elements.

Le Vent du Nord and Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson with Ali Hutton

Friday 30 January, 7:30pm
£15 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
ABC

Formed in 2002, Quebecois quartet Le Vent du Nord have been aMondayg Celtic Connections' most popular visitors over recent years, with their irresistibly feelgood mix of intoxicating dance-tunes and rousing chorus-songs. Aligning powerful four-part vocals with an instrumental line-up of fiddle, accordion, hurdy-gurdy, guitar piano and bass, hypnotically propelled by non-stop foot percussion, they match dazzling technical prowess with boundless joie de vivre, a combination that's won them a fresh clutch of glowing plaudits for their latest album, 2007's Dans les Airs.

Arguably the most dynamic double-act on today's Celtic scene, the Scottish/Irish piping duo of Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson have won huge plaudits for their 2008 debut album, Partners in Crime, as well as for their brilliantly incendiary live performances.

Millish with Box Club and Catriona Watt Band

Friday 30 January, 8pm
£12.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

Direct from Michigan making their Celtic Connections debut are Millish ("sweet thing" or "awesome" in Irish Gaelic) with their dazzlingly accomplished high-octane music, a daringly inventive melting-pot of Celtic, Middle Eastern, Balkan, jazz and flamenco flavours.

Box Club's four-accordion frontline, backed by a formidable three-piece rhythm section, was showcased on 2008's self-titled debut album and has been hailed as one of the freshest new sounds on the Scottish scene.

Completing the line-up will be Lewis-born Gaelic singer Catriona Watt and her band. The 2007 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, who recently won glowing reviews for her sea-themed debut album, Cadal Cuain.

The MacCollective and Rachel Hair

Friday 30 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Tron Theatre

Winner of the BBC Young Folk Award in 2005, fiddler Lauren McColl appears with regular accompanists Barry Reid (guitar) and Mhairi Hall (piano) as the newly-renamed MacCollective, launching her new album of tunes from classic Highland collections.

Harpist Rachel Hair introduces her new trio with jazz musicians Paul Tracey (guitar) and Andy Sharkey (double bass), previewing material from her eagerly awaited second album, an adventurous mix of Scottish, Irish and original tunes that also draws on rock and classical influences.

Cherryholmes and Fiona Mackenzie

Friday 30 January, 8pm £12.50 St Andrew's in the Square

Adroitly merging the traditional and the modern, neo-bluegrass family band Cherryholmes are aMondayg today's hottest Americana acts. Returning after their hit performance at Celtic Connections 2008, their impact is nothing short of sensational.

Long renowned as one of Scotland's most exquisite Gaelic voices, Fiona Mackenzie is now winning fresh acclaim as a gifted contemporary songwriter.

Findlay Napier & the Bar Room Mountaineers and Paul McKenna Band

Friday 30 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Classic Grand

The Bar Room Mountaineers' primary stock-in-trade is the waywardly brilliant songcraft of frontman Findlay Napier (vocals, guitar) and his co-writer Nick Turner. Also featuring Napier's ex-Back of the Moon bandmate Gillian Frame (fiddle, vocals), Douglas Miller (keyboards) and Paul Jennings (percussion), their genre-hopping sound is an exciting new arrival on the Scottish roots scene.

Widely tipped for future stardom, the young Glasgow singer, songwriter and guitarist Paul McKenna cites Paul Brady, Dick Gaughan, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd as equal influences on his potent original compositions. Completing his dynamic five-piece line-up are David McNee (bouzouki), Ruairidh Macmillan (fiddle), Sean Gray (flute, whistles) and Ewan Baird (percussion).

Blazin' Fiddles and Galant, tu perds ton temps

Friday 30 January, 9:30pm
£16
Old Fruitmarket

Saluted by The Scotsman as "the Led Zeppelin of the folk world" and as "absolutely mindblowing" by Radio 2's Mike Harding, Blazin' Fiddles have scorched a worldwide trail since their beginnings as a festival showcase project back in 1998, raising the roof everywhere from Highland village halls to the BBC Proms. Frontline fiddlers Catriona Macdonald, Bruce MacGregor, Allan Henderson, Iain MacFarlane and Aidan O'Rourke represent a rich cross-section of Scottish regional traditions, from Shetland to Lochaber, showcasing this material in solo, duo and ensemble arrangements alongside contemporary and original tunes, backed with matching verve and finesse by pianist Andy Thorburn and guitarist Marc Clement.

With their name translating roughly as 'Lover-boy, you're wasting your time', Galant, tu perds ton temps are an all-female five-piece showcasing Quebec's rich but neglected history of women's songs. Their sparkling a capella arrangements and glorious vocal harMondayies shine through on their debut album Fais-toi pas d'illusion.

Celtic Connections Festival Club hosted by Gibb Todd

Friday 30 January, 10:30pm
£7.50
Quality Hotel

Get ready for some late-night music!

With food and drink in plentiful supply you can happily keep going into the early hours of the morning whilst witnessing some of the best musical collaborations of the festival.

Master of cereMondayies, Gibb Todd returns to present each act on stage and Doris Rougvie hosts The House of Song in a peaceful oasis away from the main stage. Mary Ann Kennedy introduces a special edition of BBC Radio 3's World on 3 live from the Kintyre Suite tonight, featuring performances by some of the top acts performing at Celtic Connections (free entry with your Festival Club ticket).

Saturday 31st January

Public Workshops - come&try Gospel

Saturday 31 January, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

This is a fantastic and exhilarating way to start the weekend. Feel the freedom and experience the excitement of Gospel Style singing in this session led by Eddie Binnie. Eddie's passion for encouraging his students is absolutely boundless and this fun packed workshop will include warm ups, harMondayy and the possibility of solo voice improviSaturdayion. Complete beginners are very welcome as well as those with more singing experience.

Public Workshops - Mandolin for Players

Saturday 31 January, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, LoMondayd Foyer

This workshop with the Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association will develop 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.

Public Workshops - Shetland Fiddle

Saturday 31 January, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Clyde Foyer

Glasgow Fiddle Workshop tutor and member of Shetland supergroup, Fiddlers' Bid, Andrew Gifford will be teaching some Shetland sets for this workshop. Come and learn some beautiful and melodic Shetland tunes. This workshop is suitable for improvers or people who have been playing the instrument for 12 Mondayths or more.

Innovation and TMSA Young Trad Tour

Saturday 31 January, 1pm
£10.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

A 35-piece ensemble comprising senior and former members of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, Innovation complement their core fiddle contingent with a colourful array of accompanying instrumentation. Reviewing their 2006 debut album Inferno, leading UK magazine Fiddle On said it was "bursting with musical ideas and full of life."

TMSA Young Trad Tour features the exceptionally talented winners and finalists of BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2008 - James Duncan Mackenzie and Steven Blake (pipes and whistles), Robert Menzies (accordion), Ailie Robertson (clarsach), Scots singer Amy Lord and winner Ewan Robertson (vocals, guitar). The concert will also feature 2007 winner, Gaelic singer Catriona Watt with accompaniment from Mike Vass and Innes Watson.

Public Workshops - Already Harmony

Saturday 31 January, 1:30pm
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

Have you Sundayg in harMondayy before and would like to have some fun learning some new songs and ideas? Everyone is welcome! This will be an easy paced workshop led by Corrina Hewat for people who like singing and want to join in with others! The songs will be taught by ear with words and music available should you want them.

Public Workshops - Session Fiddle

Saturday 31 January, 1:30pm
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Clyde Foyer

Always wanted to take your fiddle to a session but lacked confidence? Learn some popular session tunes and the tricks to playing in a session with Jeana Leslie, winner of this year's BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. Come and enjoy the craic on the last weekend of Celtic Connections 2009!

Danny Kyle's Open Stage

Saturday 31 January, 5pm
Free
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

Ailie Robertson

Saturday 31 January, 6pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

One of Scotland's leading young harpists, Ailie Robertson fronts a line-up of guitar, bass, percussion and piano, showcasing the harp as a lead solo instrument within a contemporary, lively, dynamic band.

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

Take the Floor
Saturday 31 January, 7pm
Free
Kintyre Suite, Quality Hotel

The longest running radio show in Scotland, Take the Floor, returns to the festival with Robbie Shepherd presenting a special show broadcast live from the Quality Hotel on Saturday 31st January. The evening's entertainment comes courtesy of Alasdair MacCuish and the Black Rose Ceilidh Band.

Karine Polwart and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset

Saturday 31 January, 7:30pm
£16
City Halls, Grand Hall

Never one to rest on her numerous laurels, the prolifically gifted Karine Polwart presents a brand-new set of her less-performed songs, mostly from her debut album Faultlines and 2007's spellbinding traditional collection, Fairest Floo'er. Regular accompanists Inge Thomson and Stephen Polwart, with special guests Kim Edgar (piano) and Jenny Hanson (strings), will feature in atmospheric arrangements tailored to the City Halls' celebrated acoustics, alongside freshly penned material from a Scottish/Canadian songwriters' collaboration at the 2008 Celtic Colours festival in Cape Breton.

Nominated for the 2008 Mercury Prize, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset's second album The Bairns won a remarkable sweep of critical superlatives on its release, with The Observer calling it "a bewitching, dream-like, down-to-earth masterpiece". Layering Geordie-accented vocals with cello, violin, accordion and piano, the all-female quartet align atmospheric traditional ballads with contemporary material by artists as diverse as Robert Wyatt, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and fellow NorThursdaymbrian Terry Conway.

Genticorum with Liadan

Saturday 31 January, 7:30pm £12.50 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult) Oran Mor

The brilliant Quebecois trio Genticorum return to Celtic Connections following rave reviews for their third album La Bibournoise, released in 2008. A vibrant blend of rollicking dance tunes and traditional chorus songs, their big, richly textured sound strikingly belies their compact line-up, comprising Yann Falquet (guitar, jaw harp, vocals), Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (flute, bass, fiddle, vocals) and Pascal Gemme (fiddle, foot-percussion, vocals).

With their distinctive instrumentation - twin fiddles, harp, accordion, flute and whistles - and an array of beautiful voices, singing in Irish and English, the all-female six-piece Liadan have been tipped by top US critic Earl Hitchner as "the next major global force in Irish traditional music".

The Treacherous Orchestra and 6 Day Riot

Saturday 31 January, 7:30pm
£15 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
ABC

Until now, the many-headed musical Mondayster known as The Treacherous Orchestra has been a rarely-sighted beast, spotted only in such wild habitats as the Eigg Anniversary Ceilidh, or the final night of Celtic Connections' Festival Club. Their main-stage debut here unites a dozen fearsomely talented Scottish instrumentalists many of which have starred in the Peatbog Faeries and Salsa Celtica: pipers Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, flautists Kevin O'Neill and Bo Jingham, fiddlers Adam Sutherland and Innes Watson, guitarists Barry Reid and Michael Bryan, accordionist John Somerville, banjo deMonday EaMondayn Coyne, bassist Duncan Lyall and drummer Paul Jennings. You have been warned...

London-based five-piece 6 Day Riot, whose line-up includes ukulele, trumpet, guitar, bass, percussion and vocals, cook up an effervescent, highly individual blend of English and East European folk, bluegrass, klezmer and pop influences.

Moonlighting with Daimh

Saturday 31 January, 8pm
£12.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

Aficionados of Irish music need only read Moonlighting's list of personnel - Michael McGoldrick, Altan's Ciaran Tourish and Dermot Byrne, ex-Solas guitarist John Doyle and Flook's John Joe Kelly - to get very excited indeed. Formed after an impromptu session at Celtic Connections 2007, they've been described by The Irish Times as creating "an electrical storm that hasn't been witnessed since the heyday of the Bothy Band".

"If only all boy bands sounded like Daimh!" wished the West Highland Free Press in a recent review of this prodigiously talented outfit, whose electrifying instrumentals - on fiddle, pipes, whistles, banjo, guitar and bodhran - alternate with the soulful Gaelic singing of Calum Alex MacMillan.

Classic Album: Catriona McKay "Starfish" and Les Chauffeurs a Pieds

Saturday 31 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Tron Theatre

Released in late 2007, Catriona McKay's second solo album Starfish was immediately hailed as a modern milestone in Scottish harp music. Introducing the innovative tunings of the new Starfish McKay harp, its largely original compositions range boldly from dazzling dance-tunes to evocative electro-acoustic soundscapes.

With a traditionally-steeped line-up whose backgrounds also take in medieval, Indian and classical music, playing banjo, recorder and French horn alongside fiddle, guitar, piano, foot-percussion and vocals, Les Chauffeurs a Pieds put an exhilarating new spin on Quebecois folk music.

Mor Karbasi and Galant, tu perds ton temps

Saturday 31 January, 8pm
£12.50
St Andrew's in the Square

Jerusalem-born Mor Karbasi's powerful voice will take you on a journey "...pulling you deep into songs, taking the senses and emotions on an addictive roller coaster." (fRoots) Galant, tu perds ton temps open the show with traditional a capella folk songs from Quebec.

James Yorkston and Sorren Maclean Band and Blue Rose Code

Saturday 31 January, 8pm
£12.50
The Classic Grand

Any Fence Collective shadow lingering over James Yorkston's reputation was comprehensively dispelled by 2008's When the Haar Rolls In which won rapturous plaudits across the UK music press. Aligning poetic lyrical economy with subtle melodic grandeur, gritted with authentic Fife asperity, it affirmed Yorkston's place aMondayg today's most original singer-songwriters.

Mull singer-songwriter Sorren Maclean returns with more of his buoyantly catchy, resonantly textured roots-pop, backed by Gordon Maclean (double bass) and John Barlow (drums).

Fronted by Lewis-born singer Ross Wilson, up and coming alt-folk outfit Blue Rose Code describe their sound as "Caledonian soul", splicing pastoral folk-based melodies with spikier urban textures and subtle jazzy touches.

Jerry Douglas Band and Cherryholmes

Saturday 31 January, 9:30pm £16 Old Fruitmarket

Arriving at Celtic Connections fresh from his 2008 sojourn as Artist in Residence at Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame, dobro maestro Jerry Douglas is one of America's most inspirational musicians. A 12-time Grammy-winner, who has featured on over 2000 recordings by other artists, Douglas also released his 12th solo album, Glide, in 2008, showcasing the full breadth and depth of his mastery across tracks that draw on bluegrass, country, rock, Celtic, blues and New Orleans influences. He appears with his regular touring band of Luke Bulla (fiddle), Guthrie Trapp (guitar), Todd Parks (bass) and Chad Melton (drums).

Arguably the hottest new act to hit the bluegrass scene this century, the family band Cherryholmes continue to forge ahead on their new album Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe. Returning after their hit performance at Celtic Connections 2008, with a sound featuring fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass, guitar and clogging, and all six members taking lead vocal turns, their live impact is nothing short of sensational.

Celtic Connections Festival Club hosted by Gibb Todd

Saturday 31 January, 10:30pm
£7.50
Quality Hotel

Get ready for some late-night music!

With food and drink in plentiful supply you can happily keep going into the early hours of the morning whilst witnessing some of the best musical collaborations of the festival.

Master of cereMondayies, Gibb Todd returns to present each act on stage and Doris Rougvie hosts The House of Song in a peaceful oasis away from the main stage.

Sunday 1st February

Public Workshops - come&try Shape Note Singing

Sunday 1 February, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

This gutsy American folk hymn style is accessible to all and a lot of fun to sing. Ability to read music is not essential, nor is a "good" voice, just a positive enThursdaysiastic curiosity about this style of group singing. Muldoon's Picnic will teach some songs including the stirring Mondaytgomery and explain their fascinating background.

Public Workshops Whistle for Players

Sunday 1 February, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, LoMondayd Foyer

Marc Duff is one of the best whistle players in Scotland and 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.

Public Workshops- Fiddle Set Up & Maintenance

Sunday 1 February, 11am
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Clyde Foyer

Your fiddle deserves some tender loving care and this workshop will show you how to carry out some basic fiddle maintenance to keep it playing with as sweet a tone as possible. Vital fiddle questions will be answered by Bill McKenzie of The Violin Shop, Glasgow on basic fiddle and bow maintenance, set-up and repair. Bring along your fiddle and bow for a free health check.

New Voices

Mairearad Green

Sunday 1 February, 1pm
£10.50
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

Born in Achiltibuie and now based in Glasgow, Mairearad Green is an exceptionally gifted accordionist, piper and pianist, best known as a member of the Anna Massie Band and Box Club. Her New Voices composition, Passing Places, takes the form of a musical and filmic journey through the spectacular scenery and cultural riches of the Coigach peninsula, in her native Wester Ross. Also reflecting 2009's celebration of homecoming, the music's recurrent motifs and changing themes unfold against a visual backdrop created by Magnus Graham. Green will lead an eight-piece ensemble including Anna Massie (guitar), Peter Tickell (fiddle), Hamish Napier (Wurlitzer/piano/flute) and Donald Hay (percussion).

Public Workshops - Extreme Harmony

Sunday 1 February, 1:30pm
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall

This will be a fast paced, fun workshop for all of you who love singing, and doing crazy things with your voice. Have you come to a Corrina Hewat workshop before and relished the challenge? Come and learn some new songs with rhythmic vocal tricks to add to your repertoire. This workshop will be full of energy and passion and absolutely glorious singing.

Public Workshops come&try Moothie

Sunday 1 February, 1:30pm
£7
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Clyde Foyer

In this workshop, the poet Gerry Cambridge will take his students on a voyage of discovery on the diatonic harMondayica, ideal for playing the blues. If you have your own instrument in the key of C, you will learn the basics of note bending and other moothie enchantments. Some moothies will be available for sale.

Danny Kyle's Open Stage

Finale Showcasing Danny Kyle Open Stage Winners 2009
Sunday 1 February, 5pm
Free
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Final 2009

Sunday 1 February, 5pm
£12.50
City Halls Grand Hall

For every previous BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year - Emily Smith, Anna Massie, James Graham, Stuart Cassells, Shona Mooney, Catriona Watt and Ewan Robertson - winning the competition has been a major springboard to a professional career in music. Tonight's six talented finalists are: Adam Holmes (guitar/song), Lorne MacDougall (pipes/whistles), Ruairidh Macmillan (fiddle), Kenneth Nicolson (Gaelic song), Jack Smedley (fiddle) and Daniel Thorpe (fiddle). This event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland.

Grainne Duffy

Sunday 1 February, 6pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

Matching forceful guitar chops with a compelling, husky voice that's drawn comparisons to Bonnie Raitt, Irish singer-songwriter Grainne Duffy has won numerous plaudits and gained scores of new fans with her 2007 debut album Out of the Dark.

Transatlantic Sessions "Bringing it all Back Home"

Sunday 1 February, 7:30pm £24, £22

Ultra-classy accompaniment and awesome instrumentals will be supplied by a similarly creme de la creme array of US and Celtic talent, once again under the musical direction of Shetland fiddle maestro Aly Bain and dobro legend Jerry Douglas. Others confirmed to appear include accordion ace Phil Cunningham, Capercaillie's Donald Shaw and Michael McGoldrick, ex-Solas guitarist John Doyle, bassist Todd Parks and drummer James Mackintosh. Following last year's double sellout, the concert will again be staged twice, with all featured artists appearing on both nights, and is sure to be remembered as one of the year's best homecoming parties.

Sponsored by ScottishPower and supported by Homecoming Scotland

James McMurtry and David Olney

Sunday 1 February, 7:30pm
£12.50 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
Oran Mor

Glasgow's leading Americana promoter, the Fallen Angels Club, celebrates its fifth anniversary with a compelling double bill of contemporary country-rock. Texan singer-songwriter James McMurtry, son of cowboy novelist Larry, highlights this literary inheritance in his astutely observational, often caustically Saturdayirical songs, backed by muscular rock guitar. McMurty's band features the legendary keyboard player Ian McLagan, a former member of the Small Faces (and then The Faces) who has performed as a session player for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker and Bonnie Raitt aMondaygst others.

Nashville's David Olney describes his latest studio release, 2007's One Tough Town, as "a retrospective of a hundred years of American music: blues, country, rock, swing and all stops in between." It's a tall order, but Olney's the man to carry it off, infusing the album with all the seasoned songcraft and musicianship of a career now spanning four decades.

Yves Lambert & The Bebert Orchestra and The Martin Green Machine

Sunday 1 February, 7:30pm
£15 (over 14s only, under 16s with an adult)
ABC

The co-founder and former frontman of legendary big-band La Bottine Souriante, singer and accordionist Yves Lambert is a veritable one-man repository of Quebecois music and culture. An all-acoustic line-up formed in 2003, the Le Bebert Orchestra features Olivier Rondeau (guitar/vocals), Nicolas Pellerin (violin/foot percussion/vocals), Tommy Gauthier (violin/bouzouki/mandolin/vocals) and Benoit Dufresne (bass). Their sparkling arrangements of venerable love-songs, drinking anthems and dance tunes combine a wealth of traditional experience with subtle jazz and world-music influences, heard most recently on their 2007 album Le Mondayde a Lambert.

Originally launched as a New Voices project in 2006, Lau accordionist Martin Green's genre-busting septet premiere tracks from their imminent debut album, plus newly commissioned music with the 27-piece Kirkintilloch Brass Band.

Final Night Bash with Moshie's Bagel & Friends

Sunday 1 February, 8pm
£12.50
The Classic Grand

Featuring five world-class instrumentalists, serving up a thrillingly unclassifiable concoction of klezmer, Balkan, jazz, classical, Celtic, Latin and Middle Eastern flavours, a Moishe's Bagel performance matches high-wire virtuosity with freewheeling improviSaturdayion and visceral dancefloor attack. To celebrate the final night of Celtic Connections 2009, their line-up of Greg Lawson (violin), Phil Alexander (piano), Pete Garnett (accordion), Mario Caribe (double bass) and Guy Nicholson (percussion) will be joined by special guests including Shetland fiddler Chris Stout and multi-instrumentalist Fraser Fifield, for a suitably climactic set of new original material and freshly arranged Bagel favourites.

Celtic Connections Festival Club hosted by Gibb Todd

Sunday 1 February, 10:30pm
£7.50
Quality Hotel

Get ready for some late-night music!

With food and drink in plentiful supply you can happily keep going into the early hours of the morning whilst witnessing some of the best musical collaborations of the festival.

Master of cereMondayies, Gibb Todd returns to present each act on stage and Doris Rougvie hosts The House of Song in a peaceful oasis away from the main stage.

Celtic Connections 2009 tickets can be booked:

Online : www.celticconnections.com By phone:0141 353 8000
In person: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY
City Halls and Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow.