Celtic Connections 2020: 7 Concerts to explore on the second weekend

Celtic Connections: it is a gathering of musical talent, inspiration, and collaboration which lights up the winter in Glasgow from mid January through early February. There is always a range fo events from which to choose each, some from well known artists, some from people perhaps less high profile, and usually one off collaborative projects you’ll rarely see anywhere else. There is still a great deal to come as the festival is in its second week, and plenty of time to join in.

Here are ideas to explore during the packed second weekend of Celtic Connections. If you happen to be reading this at another time, seek out the work of these artists anyway, live or recorded. You will be well rewarded.

At the Old Fruitmarket on Friday evening, there will be two reunions of sorts. Flute player, uilleann piper, and composer Michael McGoldrick marks 20 years since the release of his album Fused, a creative leaps which saw tunes from Celtic tradition infused with and infusing musical ideas from funk, jazz, ambient and work music. The artists who played on the album gather again. Singers Karan Casey and Karen Matheson will join in.

Sharing the bill with McGoldrick and friends are Dochas, a six piece ensemble who rarely perform together these days as they’ve gone on to top solo carers and participation in bands including Blazin’ Fiddles. Offering top class playing and Gaelic song are Jenna Reid, Eilidh MacLeod, Carol-Anne Mackay, KT Boyle, Martin O’Neill, and Julie Fowlis.

Also on Friday, at the re-purposed church that is Oran Mor in Glasgow’s West End, it promises to be a lively evening as the Paul McKenna Band offers their take on Scottish and Irish tradition with rock and pop accents, and fine songwriting and singing. Not to be outdone, The East Pointers, from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada, offer Celtic song and tune enlivened by bluegrass element and touched with a fresh Atlantic breeze.

Robert Burns will be celebrated on his day, Saturday 25 January, as Eddi Reader joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to perform her choice of pieces from their collaborative project from 2003, Eddi Reader sings the Songs of Robert Burns. Karen Matheson, Jarlath Henderson, and Shona Donaldson will add theirs takes on Burns music to the evening at the main auditorium of the Royal Concert Hall as well.

Coming from different musical geographies, Les Amazones d’Afrique, a female supergroup whose founders include Angelique Kidjo and Mariam Doumbio, take the stage Satuday at the Tramway. Their support act includes festival artists and groups representing five of Glasgow’s diverse communities, a finale to the new Celtic Connections in the Community strand, presented in partnership with BEMIS.

Two other geographies join the mix as group Cimarron, from Colombia in South America, join up with acclaimed Welsh artist Caitrin Finch, united by their love of and expertise with the harp. They will take the stage at the Fruitmarket on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Lauren MacColl brings it back to the Highlands with an early evening program of haunting fiddle music, at the REctal Room at City Halls. Later that Sunday evening, Aoife Scott comes rom Ireland to premier her second album, Homebird. She travelled to Nashville to work with Ron Block of Alison Krauss and Union Station to produce the album. Block returns the favour for this concert, joining gifted singer and songwriter Scott and members of her band. They will share the bill at the New Auditorium of the Royal Concert Hall with firm festival favourites, the ever creative fiddle and cello duo of Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas.

Seven fine concerts to explore during the second weekend of Celtic Connections -- and that’s just a taste of what’s on as the weekend infold with concerts, workshops, sessions, and other events across Glasgow city centre.

Also, there’s another whole week of Celtic Connections ahead: the music goes on through 2 February. Ideas on what to expect in the third week coming up soon...

You may also wish to explore
The album Abundance from Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Eddi Reader’s album Cavalier
Celtic Colours Festival: Heritage and Heart on Cape Breton

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