THE programme for this year's Celtic Connections has been launched, with some of the festival's headline acts being confirmed, including American songwriter Lyle Lovett and Scottish indie singer KT Tunstall.
Celtic Connections is an internationally renowned winter festival which showcases top artists from the Celtic music genres across Glasgow for 18 days.
This year's festival will kick off on January 16 with “a night of secret surprises” at a special concert based around the musical heritage of the city.
Around 300 events are scheduled for the Celtic music festival with more than 1200 acts due to play with artists representing 20 countries.
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Organisers of the event are anticipating around 110,000 visitors and expect them to give artists a “welcome warm enough to heat the chilliest of evenings”.
The 2025 bill for the festival will see a selection of genres from acoustic, traditional, Americana, orchestral, indie, jazz, blues, experimental and more.
The festival’s organisers said the event will bring together “international icons with emerging acts to create career-defining performances and never-seen-before collaborations”.
Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said the festival will make Glasgow the place to be between January 16 to February 2.
He 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.
“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.”
The festival will also see the first ever gig held at the Emirates Arena, a venue best known for hosting sporting events, when the Stornoway folk band Peat and Diesel headline there.
Among the headliners the four-time Grammy winner Lovett will play at the Royal Concert Hall while singer Tunstall will also be playing the same venue to mark the 20th anniversary of her debut album Eye to the Telescope.
Madison Cunningham, who won Best Folk Album at the 2023 Grammys, will play at the Pavilion Theatre.
Karine Polwart (below) will headline the Royal Concert Hall for a show featuring a 300-strong choir made up of choral singers from across Scotland.
Other shows include Glasgow indie-pop group The Bluebells, a collaboration between folk band Breabach and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and world music star Abi Sampa.
An under-26s pass is also being launched to give younger fans an opportunity to access rolling discounts on shows at venues including the Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s and The Old Fruitmarket.
Creative Scotland’s head of music, Alan Morrison 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.”
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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.”
The programme can be viewed in full and tickets purchased at www.celticconnections.com.
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