Celtic Connections 2026: Opening Night World Connections
Thursday 15 January, 2026, 7.30 p.m.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Killermont St, Glasgow G2 3NW
Celtic Connections 2026 launches with World Connections – a celebration of global traditions and local talent. This genre-spanning opening night will capture the welcoming spirit of Glasgow and look towards the city hosting the Commonwealth Games in July.
Line-up
The line-up features four exceptional female vocalists: Mali’s Rokia Koné, an acclaimed solo singer and member of West African feminist supergroup, Les Amazones d’Afrique; Palestinian singer-songwriter Amal Kaawash who makes a welcome return to Scotland, Gambia’s Sona Jobarteh, whose singing and kora playing continues her family’s historic griot legacy, and Canadian multi-award-winner Rose Cousins, known for her intimate songwriting and strong collaborative approach. British guitarist Justin Adams joins forces with Moroccan Gnawa gimbri player Mohamed Errebbaa, with hypnotic, bass-driven, North African rhythms and grooves.
The Saz Trio
The SAZ trio will add further global flavour with three renowned folk musicians from Rajasthan’s Langa desert community showcasing the raw, soulful sounds of their centuries-old musical traditions, led by Aga Khan Award recipient and sindhi sarangi (folk fiddle) master Asin Khan.
Special Guests will include:
Rura image by Pauline Keightley Celtic Connections 2022
Appearing from Scotland are several special guests, including dynamic folk foursome RURA, longtime festival favourites since their debut back in 2010. With artists spanning continents and cultures, and more surprise guests in store, it promises to be an unforgettable night of cross-cultural connections and musical brilliance.
This section: Celtic Connections 2026, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Filed under: Celtic Connections 2026, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Prevous page or post | Next page or post
Written by : Pat Byrne
Related Pages
- The Carlton Jugband at The Beechings
- UK TOUR – Madina The Enlightened City Glasgow
- Byres Road Book Festival 2026
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream – No Borders Theatre
- Yorkhill Gala Day 2026
- Take 2: Megamind at GFT
- Sunny Dancer at GFT
- Love Me Tender at GFT
- Tony at GFT
- Modesty Blaise 60th Anniversary 4k – Recorded Introduction
- Stop! That! Train! at GFT
- The Summer Book at The Grosvenor
- Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger
- The End of Oak Street at GFT
- Midsommar at GFT
- Dirty Harry at Cottiers
- ARC Conversations: Different by Design – Rethinking Treatment Discovery
- Young Musicians Fundraiser – celebrating the life of Hamish Imlach
- Starla Records presents The Laynes, I Feel Love
- Will Wilson Photography Exhibition – Artist’s Talk, Clydebank Town Hall
