Glasgow Letter
Celtic Connections show announced
Many of next year’s Celtic Connections shows have been announced and are up on the festival’s website. As always, I will write about a selection of the gigs in more detail nearer the time; but, for now, let me draw your attention to a concert hosted on January 26 at CCA in Sauchiehall Street by Ceòl ’s Craic and Gaels Le Chèile as a celebration of the shared Gaelic culture of Scotland and Ireland.
The concert puts two very interesting bands together – Árchú and DLÙ.
Árchú are a collaboration of Irish artists and musicians who have been working together since 2015. Their diverse musical backgrounds bring influences of traditional sean-nós singing, post-rock and experimental electro-acoustic sounds, combined with Irish Gaeilge spoken word. In 2018, the band recruited vocalist Anne Martin from the Isle of Skye to create new works combining elements of Scottish and Irish Gaelic song while blurring the boundaries of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
DLÙ are a modern trad fusion band from Glasgow. Their musicianship, eclectic musical influences, and youthful energy set them apart from their peers. The band met as pupils at the Glasgow Gaelic School and their name is derived from the Gaelic word ‘dlùth’, meaning tight-knit/close. In August 2018 they released their debut single Anmoch.
Doors open at 7.45pm.
Lewis and Harris Gathering
The big weekend for the Lewis and Harris Association is upon us and what a weekend it looks set to be. I am disappointed to be missing the gathering due to being on tour with Tide Lines at the moment. As I wrote last week, the line up for the concert on Friday night looks brilliant. Singers for the evening are Arthur Cormack, Ainsley Hamill, Alasdair MacArthur, and Joanie Morrison. Donald Black will guest on the mouth organ and the association piper, Ross MacKay, will play throughout the night. The host is Donald MacLeod and tickets are £10 and available on the door.
The dance after the concert is to the music of Beinn Lee who have made themselves one of the most popular ceilidh dance bands in Glasgow in the past year since the release of their excellent album, Osgarra. I have a sneaky suspicion that I will be coming off stage in the Brudenell Social in Leeds that evening wishing I was in the Glasgow University Union!
What’s On
Thursday November 1: The Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association Chairman’s Dinner at 7.15pm in the Pond Hotel, Great Western Road, at 7.15pm for 7.30pm Friday November 2:
The Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association Annual Gathering Concert in Glasgow University Union at 7.30pm and thereafter the dance with Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band at 10.30pm-2am. Saturday November 10:
Gaelic Singing Workshop in The Church of the Holy Trinity and St Barnabas, Paisley, from 9.30am-1pm Saturday November 10:
Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association Children’s Party in Heart of Scotstoun, 64 Balmoral Street, at 1pm. Friday November 23: The Glasgow Uist and Barra Association Dinner Dance at 7.30pm – venue TBC.