Celtic Connections

Today's the day ....................... to celebrate 30 years

Europe’s premier winter music festival, Celtic Connections, opened in Glasgow on 19th January, celebrating its 30th year of existence.  1200 musicians take to the stage for 300 events at more than 25 venues across the city, with shows spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music.  

Tonight, we were privileged to go to a gig in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with Kate Rusby & Friends.  And if I tell you that among those joining Kate onstage tonight were friends and collaborators Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jason Manford, Sierra Hull, Ron Block, Eddi Reader and Blue Rose Code, you can imagine what a treat it was.

And to round everything off, incredibly it was also Kate Rusby's 30th anniversary of her first tour.  So there was lots to celebrate and a whole wealth of material from which to choose the programme.  The above shows from left to right - Beth Nielson Chapman, Kate Rusby and Eddi Reader ....................