Shooglenifty and Kinnaris Quintet

Special guests: Luke Plumb (Tasmania), Dayam and Latif from Dhun Dhora (Rajasthan) and Tanxugueiras (Galicia)

Widely credited as the originator of 'acid-croft', a fiery and infectious blend of traditional music and dance beats, Shooglenifty seamlessly fuses Celtic influences with world music grooves.  

This year’s Celtic Connections gig is a celebration of the Shoogles’ music, from early classics to  brand new releases. The gig at Barrowland’s features some very special guests. First to announce is the band’s former mandolin player Luke Plumb, who will travel all the way from his home in Tasmania to join in the fun.

Shooglenifty’s highly acclaimed new album, ‘Written in Water’ (included in Mojo’s folk Top Ten for 2018), recorded at the Mehrangarh Fort is a joint project with Rajasthani supergroup Dhun Dhora, their collaborators since 2014. Performing in two minority languages – Gaelic and Marwari – the bands are at the forefront of keeping their rich traditional cultures alive.  Two members of Dhun Dhora – Dayam Khan Manganiyar (vocals) and Latif Khan Manganiyar (percussion) will join the band to play songs and tunes from the new album.

Keeping up the globetrotting credentials of this gig and celebrating the release of Shooglenifty’s new single ‘East West’, we also welcome Galician vocal powerhouse Tanxugueiras. The new release was recorded in Galicia with Tanxugueiras and celebrates solidarity, respect, friendship and humanity, something we hope to see more of in 2019.

“The air of mystery that has informed Shooglenifty’s sound for the past 25 years continues to work its charm ****” – Rob Adams, Songlines

All-female five-piece, the Kinnaris Quintet have taken the Scottish music scene by storm, with rave reviews flooding in for their newly-released debut album, Free One.