Celtic Connections: Rhiannon Giddens, Edwin Morgan, The Staves, Biffy Clyro, folk, roots, world …

Each January, Glasgow thrills to the sounds of the Celtic Connections festival and each January the organisers promise and deliver a festival like no other. Not for nothing is the annual roots gathering viewed as one of Scotland’s cultural gems by both participants and punters. Folk music is an inappropriate description of what the festival offers, but not in the sense that it’s about music and musicians and music-loving folk, and what happens when you combine the three. With maybe a dram or two to help ease the introductions, of course. But this year’s promise of a festival like no other has new meaning to it and a different edge. Participants and punters there will be, just not in the same space at the same time. We know why. In its 28th iteration, Celtic Connections will follow so many other festivals in the pandemic era and turn to the digital realm to deliver gigs and events, in this case a special channel on video streaming platform Vimeo. A few will also be aired on BBC Alba. Pre-filmed in November and December in venues both new and familiar – among them the Old Fruitmarket, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, St Luke’s…
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