Celtc Connections remains one of Glasgow’s most eclectic and interesting festivals. Next year will be no different as Grease star Olivia Newton-John, singer-songwriter Billy Bragg and artists from all over the world will perform.
The programme for the 2017 event in Glasgow will feature about 2,100 international musicians with Olivia Newton-John appearing as part of the festival’s inspiring women artists theme.
The 18-day event will begin on Thursday 19 January. Billy Bragg will join Joe Henry to showcase railroad songs from their Shine A Light album. Shirley Collins, Martha Wainwright, Evelyn Glennie, Fairport Convention and King Creosote are also on the bill.
Award-winning folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling will perform the world premiere of orchestrations of her songs by Kate St John with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Concerts, ceilidhs, talks and art exhibitions will also be held, along with late-night sessions and a host of one-off musical collaborations across 300 events at venues throughout the city.
Artistic director Donald Shaw said: “A breathtaking range of styles and traditions radiates throughout Celtic Connections 2017. Artists who have shaped the present day and artists who are redefining music for the future will take to the stage. Artists whose lives and cultures could not be more different will come together to share their stories, passion and skill.”
“At the heart of it all is the simple life-affirming experience of being at a live-music performance during a world-leading festival.”
As well as female performers, organisers say the festival has a focus on supporting artists who have lived through personal hardships and an education programme which will see more than 11,000 children across Scotland attend free morning workshops led by Celtic musicians.
Glasgow city councillor Archie Graham added: “Each year Celtic Connections creates fantastic opportunities for thousands of schoolchildren throughout the city and across Scotland to attend free concerts by world-leading Celtic musicians, and to learn about Celtic music in their classrooms.”
“This work to enrich the lives of young people is a vital part of a festival which celebrates and shares so much wonderful music each year.”