Aberdeenshire musicians Alice Allen and James Lindsay to feature at Celtic Connections 2023
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Artists from Aberdeenshire will take to the stage at Europe’s largest winter music festival, Celtic Connections, which takes place in Glasgow between January 19 and February 5.
Acclaimed cellist Alice Allen from Banchory and James Lindsay from Inverurie, member of Breabach, will join more than 1000 fellow musicians from across the world taking part in the 18-day showcase of events spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music.
The UK’s premier roots music festival will brighten up the dark and gloomy winter nights with hundreds of performances, landmark musical collaborations, talks, workshops, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.
Celtic Connections 2023 will be the 30th edition of the world-famous festival, and will recognise the advancements and achievements of the last 30 years and all that organisers have overcome to bring people together in a defining cultural celebration.
It will also acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of the Scottish music scene, and the live entertainment industry, in the face of adversity.
The Aberdeenshire stars will be right at the heart of the action, joining international sensations, rising stars and homegrown talent alike in entertaining loyal audiences flocking to Glasgow for the annual event.
Cellist Alice Allen is one of Scotland’s most in-demand ‘bi-lingual’ musicians.
Having grown up surrounded by the north east fiddle tradition, Alice became fluent in the native strathspeys, reels and airs, simultaneously pursuing a hybrid musical education whilst remaining true to her roots.
She will feature in the opening concert for the festival - the Celtic Connections 30th Edition Concert.
She will also perform with TRIP, Sian and Moving Cloud and the Scottish Dance Theatre at Tramway on January 27 and 28.
She is also doing a special show with acclaimed fiddler Patsy Reid where they will perform their own take on James Scott Skinners’ recording of the Strathspey King, celebrating 100 years since the iconic recording was made in London in 1922.
Multi-instrumentalist James Lindsay’s music pushes the boundaries of Scottish folk, contemporary jazz, and experimental rock.
On January 27 James will perform with Breabach when they share the stage with Dervish at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
He will also play with his other band Staran on January 29 and with The Paul Towndrow Trio at Drygate Brewery on the final Friday of the festival, as well as performing as part of the Annual Pipe Band Concert: Names and Places 2023 which will take over Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on February 4.
Creative producer for Celtic Connections Donald Shaw 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.”
