My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Review: CELTIC CONNECTIONS OPENING NIGHT, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The festival runs until 2 February

By:
Review: CELTIC CONNECTIONS OPENING NIGHT, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Review: CELTIC CONNECTIONS OPENING NIGHT, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Image

Since 1994 the Celtic Connections festival has been bringing light to those undeniably grim January's in Glasgow. This year sees the home of the festival turning 850 and the theme of the opening concert is "let Glasgow flourish".

The opening concert gives a flavour of what is in store over the coming weeks. Hosted by Roddy Hart and Siobhan Miller, they introduce a mix of trad music, world music and a fusion of both across the evening. The backdrop of the stage is video footage of old Glasgow which is a lovely touch.

The surprise lineup features acts that are performing across the festival including GRAMMY award winner Madison Cunningham, Orchestral Qawwali Project, Kinnaris Quintet and The Bluebells. There's a brilliant mix of talent from the likes of the Joyous Choir and the Glasgow Piping Quintet.

It's worth noting as well the sheer logistics of getting so many musicians on and off the stage smoothly with their accompanying instruments but the concert runs seamlessly. 

Creative director Donald Shaw joins us in the second half to speak about what lies ahead with the festival and acknowledge the significance of the Glasgow 850 celebrations.

As always, the opening concert sets the tone for what is bound to be another wonderful Celtic Connections season. 



Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Direction of a Play - Top 3
1. Duncan MacMillan, Jeremy Herrin - Every Brilliant Thing
19.3% of votes
2. Joe Mantello - Death of a Salesman
17.6% of votes
3. Whitney White - Liberation
10.4% of votes

Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Big Stuff in Scotland Big Stuff
Assembly (Roxy Boxy) (5/05-5/30)
Chris Grace: 88% in Scotland Chris Grace: 88%
Assembly George Square Studios - Five (8/05-8/31)
Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years in Scotland Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years
The Stand 1 (8/05-8/30)
Disney''s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert in Scotland Disney''s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Usher Hall (12/03-12/03)
The Steamie in Scotland The Steamie
Alhambra Theatre (10/29-10/31)
Felicity Ward: I Wish I Could Come Out Of My Shell in Scotland Felicity Ward: I Wish I Could Come Out Of My Shell
Cab Vol 1 @ Monkey Barrell (8/17-8/30)
Father, Away She Goes in Scotland Father, Away She Goes
Zoo (Playground 1) (8/07-8/30)
Concerts of the Future in Scotland Concerts of the Future
Summerhall (Lobby) (8/06-8/30)
Copycat in Scotland Copycat
Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome) (8/05-8/31)
Friendliest in Scotland Friendliest
Gilded Balloon (The Nook) (8/08-8/31)