Celtic Connections 2022
- THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED
- Tickets
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£11.00 to £26.00
- Dates and times
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20th Jan - 6th Feb 2022
7:00PM - 7:00PM
Europe’s premier winter music festival Celtic Connections opened in Glasgow last night, Thursday 20 January, showcasing uplifting performances from some of folk’s brightest emerging talent.
The Opening Concert ‘Neath the Gloamin’ Star was staged at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in front of 200 lucky audience members. Named after a beloved old Scots love song, the show marked a poignant opening moment for the much-loved roots festival as it celebrated how precious heritage is being taken forward into a new tradition.
This year’s hybrid Celtic Connections programme spans around 60 lively in-person concerts, a number of intimate filming sessions, an exciting digital offering and a number of talks and exhibitions, with more than 500 artists involved across the festival.
Tickets for live in-person shows are already on sale now, while tickets for online festival passes go on sale at 3pm on Friday 21 February. Digital passes will give audiences from around the world access to more than 12 hours of exclusive performances available to watch from Wednesday 26th January.
Artists involved include Dublin-based quartet The Jeremiahs, flute / whistle genius Brian Finnegan, world-folk sensations Dallahan, Nordic-inspired folk group Stundom and Gaelic singer Megan Henderson. Magnificent duo performances from Heal and Harrow (Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl) and Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey are also on the bill.
The New Tradition: Rejuvenation show will showcase young emerging artists, led by musical director Rory Matheson and a New Voices commission from singer songwriter Jack Badcock will also be available to enjoy as part of the pass.
This weekend will also see two specially-commissioned Shetland 550 shows filmed for the online programme in front of limited-capacity audiences and sponsored by Promote Shetland. 550 years on from the islands becoming part of Scotland, Norn Voices and A Peerie Foy - part of the festival’s Whisper the Song strand for Scotland’s Year of Stories - will celebrate Shetland’s unique cultural history and identity.
Saturday night’s Shetland spectacular will open in style with a celebratory Viking torch-lit march through the streets of Glasgow. A group of more than 30 male and female Vikings, will journey to the bottom of the steps of the Royal Concert Hall to welcome audiences with flaming torches, cheers and songs celebrating Up Helly Aa. The spectacle will mark an unforgettable start to an evening involving Shetland’s foremost cultural ambassadors.
From Monday 24th January, live music in front of in-person audiences will take centre stage, breathing life and joy into venues across Glasgow - from Mackintosh Church to The Old Fruitmarket - with the usual dynamic array of traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, indie, soul and world music brightening up the city for two weeks.
Highlights include the renowned British Indian sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar who will perform her father’s iconic Concerto No.3 with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Friday 28th January in the Royal Concert Hall. Support comes from the incredible Orchestral Qawwali Project featuring the soaring vocals of Abi Sampa, the UK’s first female qawwal, together with tabla player Amrit Singh, and singer/composer Rushil, who combine the ancient Sufi devotional tradition of qawwali with modern orchestral arrangements.
Elsewhere, the iconic Mitchell Theatre will play host to some exciting events putting Scotland’s rich oral traditions in the spotlight for the Year of Stories 2022. The Scottish World, featuring writer, performer and broadcaster Billy Kay and singers Siobhan Miller and Robyn Stapleton will look at how tales of Scotland travelled with and were reimagined by the Diaspora, while Sing Me a Story will see the storytelling tradition of the Gàidhealtachd championed.
Grammy-nominated, Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer, songwriter and vocalist Arooj Aftab - who names Barrack Obama among her legion of fans - will bring her critically-acclaimed sound to the Mackintosh Church, and sparks are set to fly when the mighty RURA play The Theatre Royal.
Maverick musical duo, Nae Plans, aka fiddler Adam Sutherland and pianist/flautist/singer Hamish Napier, will perform as part of the festival’s Tradovation strand supported by The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund.
With support from polish-born cellist Justyna Jablonska and South Indian violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, multi-award-winning Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie will treat fans to his brilliantly original music, rooted in Scottish folk and international jazz. Additional New Voices commissions come from harp player and vocalist Esther Swift and fiddler Ross Couper.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “The opening weekend of Celtic Connections is always a memorable moment for us but this year, we are particularly proud to lift the curtain on our 29th edition. The festival has never shied away from ambition and we’re very excited to still be able to present such a vibrant programme, covering live shows, filming sessions and digital content. Despite the challenging environment we’ve been operating in, we have been driven by our passion for Scottish music and culture and opportunities for unforgettable collaboration. We look forward to reconnecting with our audiences at home and around the world over the next few weeks.”
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “We’ve been working hard to retain an exciting programme and live festival experience for Celtic Connections this year, which continues to meet the Scottish Government’s guidance and ensures the safety of our audiences, artists, staff and suppliers. The importance of Celtic Connections to profiling Scotland’s cultural and musical legacy to the rest of the world cannot be understated, and it’s testament to the efforts of everyone involved that this year’s programme presents a rich and diverse mix of content; from some 60 in-person concerts to an extensive digital offer, which will delight global and local audiences alike.”
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “We welcome Celtic Connections’ plan to stage live indoor events at this year’s festival following the First Minister's announcement of a relaxation in restrictions.
“Live performances are not only exciting for audiences, but they are important to maintain the festival’s visibility and support the development of our emerging artists. They are also crucial in driving our cultural recovery from the pandemic.
“We will continue to work closely with Celtic Connections to plan for the remainder of the festival, after the 24th January.”
The safety of audiences, artists and suppliers has been put at the centre of all the plans for this year’s festival, with all necessary public health measures in line with Government guidelines in place.
To see the full programme for Celtic Connections 2022 and buy tickets visit: www.celticconnections.com.
Booking Information
Visit https://www.celticconnections.com/ for tickets
Dispatch Charges
E-tickets - Free of charge
Fulfilment Fee - £1.95
Transaction Charges apply as follows
- Online up to £1.50
- Phone up to £1.75
- Counter/ In Person: Free
Tickets Booking Line:
0141 353 8000.
Lines open Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00 (excluding Bank Holidays). Please check opening hours over any Bank Holiday period.
To view the full Ticket Purchase Policy please click here
Accessible toilets
There are several accessible toilets in this venue. For more information on the location and features of these toilets, please use the AccessAble guide.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at the venue, but please be aware that noise levels can be high during some events. At the time of booking please let our Box Office Team know if an assistance dog will be accompanying you to the venue, or email the Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk
Hearing loop
The stalls of the Main Hall and New Hall are equipped with induction loop systems, but operation is dependent on each individual event or performance, so provision can vary. Headsets can be supplied during your visit. For more information about the availability of induction loop systems at the venue please email our Venue Team: GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair access is from the Killermont Street entrance (North Entrance) only. From this entrance, there is Lift access to all levels.
Each performance space has designated seating for wheelchairs and a companion is welcome to sit with you. Please contact our box office team for more information at box_office_enquiries@glasgowlife.org.uk
Wheelchairs are available on request. For use of a venue wheelchair, please call in advance, ask at the reception desk or email our Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk
Baby changing
There are baby changing facilities in the café toilets and exhibition corridor toilets (next to the Box Office)
Baby feeding
Breastfeeding is welcome at the venue.
Cafe or restaurant
Full table service is not available, food or drinks are ordered from the service counter. However, food and drinks can be brought to the table.
There is not a lowered section at the counter.
Full table service is not available, food or drinks are ordered from the service counter. However, food and drinks can be brought to the table.
There is not a lowered section at the counter.
No tables are permanently fixed. No chairs are permanently fixed. Some chairs have armrests.
Drinking straws are available.
Menus are hand held and wall mounted. Menus are not available in Braille. Menus are not available in large print. Picture menus are not available.
Café Opening hours are 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday. The café also will be open for events to ticketholders only. For more information contact our Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk
Parking
There is no on-site parking but there are nearby car parks:
Concert Square Car Park - visit their website
Buchanan Galleries Car Park - visit their website
Please note Buchanan Galleries close at 9pm.
Meter Street parking is also available. Read parking information on Glasgow City Council's website
Photography and video recording
At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
The public are only permitted to record and take photos where explicit permission has been granted in advance.
Free wifi
Yes, there is free public Wifi access. To connect, visitors have to register with the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Public Wifi which should pop up on their browser. After that visitors will only need their password for future uses.
Location Map
With many different rooms and breakout areas available, the complex can accommodate meetings and conferences from 12 - 2000 delegates. Visit the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's venue hire web page to find out more.