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Celtic Connections 2021 announces initial line up and early bird tickets

Celtic Connections has announced the first list of artists who will perform as part of their digital-first festival this January!

Celtic Connections 2021 announces initial line up and early bird tickets

Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 3 December 2020 10:13

Across 19 days, the festival will present online performances every night between Friday 15th January - Tuesday 2nd February 2021.

World class performances will be available to view online with some of the biggest names on the Scottish music scene and beyond appearing on screens across the world as part of the winter festival.

An early bird ticket has been released that gives unlimited access to the full 19 nights of entertainment for only £30. Tickets are available to purchase here.

The festival is creating unique digital content from specially commissioned projects and performances filmed across many of Glasgow’s much-loved venues. In doing so the festival will support and encourage the creative industries to help protect Scotland’s rich musical legacy.

Celtic Connections also welcomes BBC ALBA as a broadcast partner with exclusive performances and a new series of Seirm@Celtic Connections.

The initial line-up has been announced with some of the most well-known and best-loved acts who have traditionally graced the festival stages confirmed to take part in this digital-first event.

Celtic Connections prides itself on its international relations and every year it showcases artists from across the world. Organisers have ensured that a number of international acts who have filmed their performances remotely are also included in the line-up alongside a host of incredible homegrown talent.

The line-up for Celtic Connections 2021 will include:

Admiral Fallow / Aidan O'Rourke 365 / Amira Kheir / Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko / Blazin Fiddles / Blue Rose Code / Breabach / Cherish The Ladies / Chris Stout & Catriona McKay / Declan O'Rourke / De Temps Antan / Duncan Chisholm & Scottish Ensemble / Eddi Reader / Edwin Morgan 100th / Elephant Sessions / Fara / Fergus McCreadie Trio / Fiona Hunter / Georgia Cécile / Gnoss / Grosse Isle / Imar / James Grant / José González / Kinnaris Quintet / Kris Drever / Karen Matheson / Kathleen MacInnes / Le Vent Du Nord / Lyre / Mairearad Green / Mànran / Paul McKenna Band / Project Smok / RANT / Rachel Newton / Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi / Roaming Roots Revue / Rory Butler / Ross Ainslie / SCO with Karine Polwart & Pekka Kuusisto / Shooglenifty / Sian / Siobhan Miller / Sona Jobarteh / Sorren MacLean & Hannah Fisher / Talisk / The Secret Sisters / Transatlantic Sessions / TRYST / Westward the Light / Xabier Diaz / Zoe Bestel


Celtic Connections is delivered by the charity Glasgow Life and is funded by Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland and The Scottish Government Festivals EXPO Fund.

Annually welcoming over 100,000 attendees to Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, organisers hope the festival’s digital-first programme will appeal to the wide international audience they traditionally see attending the festival. With the festival’s global audiences in mind, they have allowed for all shows to be available for a week after they are first streamed to alleviate any restrictions for different time zones enjoying the range of content.

The Early Bird ticket will be available for a limited time only. After this, the price for an ‘All-Access’ ticket will increase to £40. Tickets to individual concerts will also be available to buy from early January, when the programme schedule is released.

The Celtic Connections Rover Membership Programme is back for 2021 with a Celtic Rover Digital package that includes access to a host of exclusive Celtic Rover extras as well as the Celtic Connections Festival pass which gives the individual access to all of the festival content over the 19 days. The Celtic Rover Digital package is £45.

All concerts are recorded whilst fully adhering to social distancing guidelines and all current government guidance are observed and followed.

Celtic Connections ask that even in watching and enjoying this digital-first festival, all audiences adhere to the government guidance relevant to them at their time of watching.

Celtic Connections began in 1994, when its 66 events centred around one venue, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and welcomed 27,000 attendees. Since those early days Celtic Connections has become more adventurous, more experimental and more diverse and now annually welcomes over 100,000 attendees and over 300 artists to Glasgow for over 2000 events. The diverse programme has traditionally included world-class concerts and one-off musical collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.

A huge range of musical genres are showcased across the festival, as well as genre-busting performances that defy any attempt at categorisation. This, alongside a host of special commissions and creative collaborations, have made the festival both distinctive and internationally acclaimed.

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