Celtic Connections launches 'ambitious' 2025 festival programme across 25 Glasgow venues

Celtic Connections has unveiled its “ambitious” programme for next year – showcasing folk, roots and world music across 25 venues in Glasgow.

The international celebration of Celtic music will light up stages across Glasgow from Thursday, January 16 to Sunday, February 2.

Delivered by Glasgow Life, 300 events are expected to fill around 25 venues on both sides of the Clyde with around 110,000 expected to hear works by more than 1,200 musicians and artists.

The festival, now its 32nd year, will welcome artists from around 20 countries from across the world.

Venues taking part across the city include The Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

History will also be made when Peat and Diesel become the first band to play at the Emirates Arena as part of the festival.

Highlights include multi Grammy award-winning Americana singer Lyle Lovett, who will debut at the festival as a headline act in January.

Meanwhile KT Tunstall will reflect on 20 years of her album Eye to the Telescope with a night at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and perform a sold-out show at the Barrowlands.

Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said: “We are incredibly proud of Celtic Connections’ place as an ecosystem for new music and art.

“In 2025 we are bringing together international icons with emerging acts to create career-defining performances and never-seen-before collaborations, not to mention great nights out for our audiences.

“Celtic Connections went from being primarily a Glasgow festival, to a national festival, to an international flagship event.

“Like many acts on our line up, we have expanded in size and ambition over the years, drawing inspiration from the old tradition and the boundless possibilities of contemporary music.

“Through it all, Glasgow remains at our heart, so to open the festival in celebration of our city’s artistic clout is incredibly special. Audiences can expect a night of secret surprises that we hope will bring a real sense of magic and anticipation to the first night of the festival, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.

“As a forward-thinking festival which always looks to embrace new opportunities and spaces for performance, we’re very excited to be staging a pilot music event in the Emirates Arena, creating a new experience for audiences and extending our reach into the east end of the city.

“In the last 20 years traditional music has entered the mainstream, it’s embraced in our pubs and biggest venues, and we will once again drive the genre’s appeal, profile and potential forward in our 2025 artistic commissions.

“If you think Glasgow in January isn’t the place to be – you just haven’t ever been to Celtic Connections.”

Celtic Connections announces 2025 festival across 25 venues in Glasgow. Supplied

Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Celtic Connections is always an outstanding part of Scotland’s cultural calendar when Glasgow welcomes superb musicians from across the globe to showcase their wealth of musical abilities.

“Spectacular performances warm up the winter nights at many of Glasgow’s most loved, and sometimes surprising, music venues. The festival helps enhance Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and the city’s reputation as a world-class cultural destination.

“This year’s ambitious programme features a diverse line-up of homegrown and international artists and ranges from emerging talent to award-winning acts.

“Celtic Connections will have something for everyone, from intimate performances and exciting one-off collaborations to impressive large-scale shows.

“None more so than the opening concert, which will kick off Glasgow’s 850th birthday celebrations in style.”

Alan Morrison, Creative Scotland head of music said: “If there’s one thing to look forward to as the nights start to draw in, it’s the knowledge that tickets will soon be on sale for next year’s Celtic Connections.

“A peek at the highlights of the 2025 edition is enough to prove why this has become one of the world’s largest and most important winter music festivals. Local talent stands tall alongside incredible international artists, as a global beat crosses over our own traditional tunes. Creative Scotland is proud to support such a heady mix of wonderful music.”

Culture secretary Angus Robertson said: “Celtic Connections continues to grow its global reputation as one of Scotland’s foremost festivals and an event we are proud to support, bringing together world-class talent and showcasing the very best in folk, roots, and international music.

“This year’s programme unites artists, traditions, and audiences from around the globe in a truly unique celebration.

“The festival continues to innovate and inspire musical and cultural collaboration, offering something extraordinary for everyone and I’m excited about what’s on offer in Glasgow.”

A new under-26s pass will be launched for this year’s festival which aims to give young music fans an opportunity to access rolling discounts on a mix of shows.

General tickets for the festival go on sale at 10am, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at www.celticconnections.com where the full programme can be viewed.