Celtic Connections 2013 Photo Gallery

17th January - 3rd February

The 20th Celtic Connections with 18 days of music from some of the biggest names in folk, roots, world, tradition, indie, blues and jazz. This year's festival will celebrate the ethos and artists that have helped shaped what is now a global phenomenon.

Celtic Connections Programme

Songs of Struggle

29 January 2013 - 7.30 p.m.

Mitchell Library

Some of Scotland's finest folk entertainers join forces to celebrate solidarity through song with Dave Anderson and Arthur Johnstone, Alastair McDonald, Sheena Wellington, Rab Noakes and Fraser Spiers and Siobhan Miller.

Tickets: £14

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Or buy tickets from our box office on 0141 353 8000

Inspired by the late great trade unionist Jimmy Reid's statement, during the historic Upper Clyde Shipbuilders' work-in of 1971-72, that folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people, some of Scotland's finest folk entertainers join forces to celebrate solidarity through song.

Mitchell Library, North Street Glasgow G3 7DN

Anda Union with Frigg

Young Mongolian band whose songs and tunes reflect the full vastness of their remote homeland

30 January 2013 8:00PM

Old Fruitmarket

Tickets: £16

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A major hit at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Anda Union are a young Mongolian band whose songs and tunes reflect the full vastness of their remote homeland, drawing on influences derived "from all the tribes that Genghis Khan unified". An astounding array of throat singing techniques, accompanied by traditional instrumentation, combine with "melodies as sturdy as great Celtic folk themes" (Guardian).

Widely tipped as successors to such seminal Nordic bands as JPP and Vaesen, Finnish/Norwegian seven-piece Frigg unite deep traditional roots with a gloriously freewheeling array of Americana, Celtic and Balkan influences.Featuring multiple fiddles, mandolin, cittern, Estonian bagpipes, dobro, guitar and double bass, their dazzling virtuosity and hugely exhilarating live shows place them firmly at the forefront of contemporary international folk.

Old Fruitmarket, Cowcaddens, Merchant City

Originally formed for a party back in 1992, German cult heroes Mardi Gras.BB deploy the template of a New Orleans marching band as a springboard into all manner of madcap musical adventures. With a nine-strong line-up of massed brass, electric guitars, vocals, percussion and DJ, their 2012 release Crime Story Tapes evokes the film noir atmosphere and lindy-hop/jump-jive dance crazes of 1940s New York.

Suitably sassy, sophisticated and swingin' support comes from stunning Scottish vocal trio The Bevvy Sisters ? Heather Macleod, Gina Rae and Kaela Rowan - casting their seductive harmonic spell in a mix of vintage jazz, country and original material, sharply backed by guitarist David Donnelly and percussionist James Mackintosh.

Age Restrictions: 14-16 year olds must be accompanied by responsible adult. No under 14s.

www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

The Paul McKenna Band and Lucy Ward

1 February 2013 7:30PM

St Andrew's in the Square

Tickets: £13

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Voted Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the 2009 Scots Trad Music Awards, song-led quintet The Paul McKenna Band have since continued their steep upward trajectory, matching McKenna?s powerful vocals with fiddle, flute, bouzouki, guitar and percussion, as showcased on 2011?s second album Stem the Tide.

Derby-born Lucy Ward?s 2011 debut album Adelphi Has to Fly attracted widespread praise for her maturity as both a singer and songwriter. A fruitful fascination with the folk tradition?s darker dimensions also belies her tender years, though she?s equally adept at tempering the mood with a bawdy ballad or playful banter. ?A major talent on the rise.? (AllMusic)

St Andrews in the Square, Trongate.

The Beatstalkers and Support @ Celtic Connections

The Arches

Saturday, February 2, 2013 - 7:30pm

One of very few bands to have caused an actual riot, such was the screaming fan frenzy they incited, The Beatstalkers were Scotland's first real pop phenomenon. Combining blues/soul rarities with original material (and the odd early David Bowie composition), they came tantalisingly closeto full-scale stardom in the mid-1960s, leaving a handful of cult-classic songs and cherished memories that eventually led to their first Barrowland reunion in 2005 - this being only the second occasion that all original members have performed together again.

Appearing with The Beatstalkers will be special guest Hamish Stuart. Having been the lead guitarist and falsetto voice of Glasgow funk legends Average White Band, he has had his fair share of hits too. After they split he joined the bands of two Beatles (Paul and Ringo), played with Aretha Franklin and wrote for Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross. Expect some Average White Band songs, as well as Stuart's solo material.

Also added to the bill are DJs from Glasgow's Friday Street Club, playing a broad range of Mod records, Zoot Money, Fraser Watson (The Poets) and The Beatroots.

Please note that this event was originally scheduled to take place at The Barrowland Ballroom. Original tickets are still valid and the box office has contacted all patrons.

Age Restrictions: over 14s only and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, G2 8DL

Danny Kyle's Open Stage

New music talent is given the chance to shine under the Celtic Connections spotlight

Adelaides, Bath Street - New Venue for the Danny Kyle Open Stage

From 4 p.m. every day except Sundays - Showcase Concert Satuday 2nd February.

Tickets: Free

Or buy tickets from our box office on 0141 353 8000

All ages

In partnership with the Evening Times. Danny Kyle was a passionate supporter of traditional music and a constant campaigner for its revival in Scotland. Each night on the Open Stage, new musical talent is given the chance to shine under the Celtic Connections spotlight and the six best acts win through to the final night showcase concert.

Celtic Connections Festival Club

Walkabout, 128 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3AL

With inspired line-ups that are never divulged before the night, the Festival Club will be filled with Celtic craic.

Tickets: £5

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Or buy tickets from our box office on 0141 353 8000

Our late night club ensures that there is even more music to enjoy after all the gigs are over. With inspired line-ups that are never divulged before the night - the Festival Club is a late-night jam session to end all jam sessions. Sparkling host Kevin Macleod will guide you through proceedings and you never know who you'll bump into as you join the throngs in the bar. Please note that the Festival Club is for over 18s only.

Celtic Connections Programme

Or buy tickets from our box office on 0141 353 8000