Musicians from the Western Isles will play at Celtic Connections – the biggest winter festival in Europe next year.
James Duncan Mackenzie, a piper and wooden flute player from Lewis will join more than 1,000 fellow musicians from across the world in the 18-day Glasgow festival.
Gillebrìde MacMillan, Kathleen MacInnes, Alana MacInnes and Julie Fowlis from Uist will also be performing.
The event covers a range of musical genres including traditional, folk, jazz, soul, Americana and world music.
Who is performing at Celtic Connections?
Next year’s Celtic Connections will be particularly special as it marks the festival’s 30th edition and will celebrate its progression and achievements over the last three decades.
James Duncan Mackenzie is known for his part in acclaimed band Breabach, but he will use this opportunity to perform a host of his own material.
To date, he has released three solo albums as well as a tune book containing 70 of his own compositions.
Fìbhig, his new release, was written and recorded from home and is named after a small village on the West side of the Isle of Lewis near where Mr Mackenzie lives.
Mr Mackenzie will perform on February 4 at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Gaelic singer-songwriter Gillebrìde MacMillan gained critical acclaim for his songwriting inspired by traditions and customs of his native South Uist.
He will be opening for Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones at The Mackintosh Church on February 1.
Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes and piper and flautist Alana MacInnes are performing with Irish multi-instrumentalist Liam Ó Maonlaí at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite on February 1.
North Uist folk singer Julie Fowlis, who has released several studio albums will perform alongside John McCusker on January 22 at City Halls.
She will perform again on January 27 with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Karine Polwart and Robert Vincent at the Theatre Royal.
Ms Fowlis will then take to the stage for a third time as a special guest of Le Vent Du Nord at the Old Fruitmarket on January 28.
‘Special start to the new year’
Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to the 30th edition of Celtic Connections in Glasgow – it’s set to be a really special start to the new year.
“We’re always thrilled to be able to showcase brilliant Scottish artists from across the country and we’re looking forward to seeing them entertain crowds on this international stage this January.”
Celtic Connections will run from January 19 until February 5. Tickets for Celtic Connections 2023 are available on GlasgowLife
Gaelic music took centre stage at this year’s festival, Mr Shaw said at the time he felt “delighted to have such an incredible lineup across our Gaelic strand.”
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