“January, sick and tired you’ve been hanging on me”, as Pilot sang back in 1974 – a genius lyric which just about says it all. But never fear as, appropriately, it’s music which is going to chase away the new year funk and January blues.
This year we are spoiled with 432 Presents‘ excellent First Footing Showcases, and, from the 16th Jan – 2nd Feb, Celtic Connections, one of the world’s great music festivals, gets underway with another line-up which mixes and matches the local with the global.
This year’s headliners and more well-kent attendees include, among many others, Salsa Celtica, Nitin Sawhney (with the always excellent Cara Rose), Isobel Campbell, Iris Dement, James Grant, Peatbog Faeries, Robyn Hitchcock (with SWH! regular Annie Booth), Kinnaris Quintet, Jarlath Henderson, Boo Hewerdine, and The Felice Brothers.
There are also nights featuring or celebrating musical legends, including The GRIT Orchestra, the Roaming Roots Revue 70th Birthday Tribute to Bruce Springsteen, Transatlantic Sessions, Blue Rose Code Presents This Is Caledonia Soul, TMSA ‘Floo’ers O’ The Fairest’, Breabach @15, as well as many gigs to check out at Glasgow’s more intimate venues such as The Glad Cafe, The Hug & Pint, Broadcast, The Blue Arrow, and Platform.
However, and as ever, we’d like to point you in the direction of other gems to be found at the festival. Some of the names below you may well recognise from our regular music reviews and weekly playlists, and they all are deserving of your attention and attendance. Each one promises an unforgettable night, and what more can you ask for in these early days of 2020?
You can peruse the full programme at your leisure at Celtic Connections, and receive all the up-to-date news by following the festival on Twitter, and Facebook. But before you rush away here is the Scots Whay Hae! preview, (complete with links to further details + tickets). We like to call it ‘the best of the rest of the fest’…
Hope to see you at at least one of the above…