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Opening Concert Celtic Connections 2025, Glasgow 850

Review and Photographs by Pauline Keightley

Ancient Celtic instrument the Carnyx, a wind instrument used by the Celts during the Iron Age, between c. 200 BCE and c. 200 CE, played over the audience heads at the venue. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

This year’s Opening Concert of Celtic Connections, the world leading folk and roots music festival, began with the dramatic horn blowing of an ancient Celtic instrument the Carnyx, (a wind instrument used by the Celts during the Iron Age, between c. 200 BCE and c. 200 CE).

Glasgow 850 Opening Concert

Roddy Hart and Siobhan Miller

 The Opening Concert heralded the start of the city’s year-long 850th birthday celebration. ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’ is the motto on the city’s coat of arms, and this special concert paid tribute to Glasgow’s rich artistic heritage and flourishing future through a concert incorporating music, spoken-word, dance and film. The concert celebrated the breadth and talent of musicians, artists and poets Glasgow has produced and how this has fed into the very bloodstream of Celtic Connections. The concert was hosted by Roddy Hart and Siobhan Miller and celebrated the breadth and talent of musicians, artists and poets Glasgow has produced.

First there was energetic reels and jigs from the Glasgow’s Trad Collective (of Ben Nevis bar). We had nostalgia with the Bluebell’s 80s song ‘Young at Heart’. Behind the stage were projected black and white images of Glasgow by photographer Oscar Marzaroli. The city was further celebrated with performances by the Joyous choir of Maryhill, While the Indian collective Qawali Project raised the energy levels – receiving warm applause. Also well received were the talented pipers Ross Ainslie and Finlay Macdonald, as were the string ensemble who performed world-renowned Glasgow composer Craig Armstrong’s ‘Immer’ (Forever).

Glasgow Trad Collective

Glasgow Scotland. 16th January 2025. Scottish singer songwriter James Grant, performed at the Opening concert of Celtic Connections folk music festival, at Glasgow concert hall. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

Grammy award-winning American singer songwriter Madison Cunningham impressed with her haunting vocals on her song ‘Home’. Glaswegian James Grant, performed several Glasgow songs – and along with Siobhan Miller and Paul McKenna delighted us with their rendition of Michael Marra’s song “Mither Glasgow” After which we were treated to a grand finale of multi-instrumentalists and uplifting tunes. Glasgow has world class art galleries and an ancient, leading university. Glasgow is the city of music and boasts world famous venues including the Barrowlands  King Tuts, Oran Mor, Old Fruitmarket.

Review and Photos Pauline Keightley January, 2025.

Image: ‘Playing Ring, Gorbals, School Playground’ 1963, © Oscar Marzaroli Collection, courtesy of Street Level Photoworks.

 From the permanent exhibition ‘Oscar Marzaroli’s Gorbals’ at Gorbals Library.

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