Cauld Blast Orchestra with RANT

Having recently reformed after a 20-year hiatus, the legendary Cauld Blast Orchestra return to Celtic Connections with new blood and the same trailblazing spirit.

Back in the 90s and 00s, CBO led the way with their cross-genre musical explorations. The contrasting backgrounds, training and interests of each composer, including folk, jazz, classical, rock and world musics, created an unprecedented and exhilarating mix of sounds, very often in the context of just one tune. Similarly, the array of instruments available contributed to the eclectic nature of their compositions. Expect wonky reels, a tango, rollicking jazz solos, poignant airs, and much more.

RANT have a special affinity with Glasgow - a shared love for the city where the band formed in 2011.  No strangers to Celtic Connections, this year they launch their fifth album Live in Glasgow at the festival. Shetlander Bethany Reid, Arran’s Gillian Frame, and Anna Massie and Lauren MacColl from the Black Isle use just their fiddles to weave a tapestry of melodies, textures, layers and sounds. This meeting of four of the country’s finest players showcases the combined resonance of their instruments with repertoire unearthed from both old collections and their own contemporary writing. RANT create a sound which is both spacious and lush, yet retaining all the earthy bite and spark synonymous with a Scottish fiddle player. It’s a sound which has won them significant critical acclaim in the form of a Herald Angel award, the German Critics Award and multiple BBC Folk Award and Scots Trad Award Nominations.