Celtic Connections 30th Anniversary Concert

Celtic Connections 2023

From only a handful of shows back in the first year of Celtic Connections in 1994, no-one could have foreseen the festival it is today. Its development since then has paralleled Scotland’s extraordinary musical blossoming over the past 30 years, with both becoming a magnet for musicians the world over.

Tonight’s opening gala celebrates that history with a panoply of artists who’ve featured prominently over the years, alongside those emerging from the vibrant folk scene - reflecting such Celtic Connections' multi-generational breadth, its Internationalism and collaborative, cross-genre spirit.

This once-in-a-lifetime line-up includes Karine Polwart, Sierra Hull, Basco, Peat & Diesel, TRIP, Fergus McCreadie & Matt Carmichael, Maeve Gilchrist, Rachel Sermanni, and an extensive unique ‘big band’ originally conceived for the 2021 digital opening night and brought together in full live glory for tonight featuring Duncan Lyall, Sorren Maclean, Fraser Fifield, Patsy Reid, Graham Mackenzie, Laura Wilkie, Michael McGoldrick, Hannah Fisher, Ross Ainslie, Anna Massie, Greg Lawson, Alice Allen, Alyn Cosker, James Mackintosh and yet more surprise guests!