Celtic Connections 2014
16th January – 2nd February
Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections
Wed 22nd – Sun 26th January
RECORD BREAKING NUMBER OF INDUSTRY DELEGATES TO
EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF MUSICAL TALENT
Supported by Creative Scotland/Alba Chruthachail, British Council India, Rajasthan
International Folk Festival (RIFF) Sounds Australia and Woodford Folk Festival
A record breaking number of music industry delegates from around the world will visit
Glasgow over the middle weekend of Celtic Connections 2014 to sample some of
Scotland’s, India’s and Australia’s finest musical talent.
Over 200 music industry delegates will be part of Showcase Scotland at Celtic
Connections making it the largest gathering of the international music community in
Scotland. The five day long showcase provides a selection of Scottish acts with the
invaluable opportunity of performing in front of promoters, record labels, agents and
media from over 20 different countries.
Showcase Scotland has enjoyed a hugely successful 14 years with its 15th looking
like it will be the biggest and best yet. The five day event is organised by Active
Events on behalf of Celtic Connections. It was initiated by the festival to provide a
platform for promoting Scottish music and artists to new audiences around the world.
The international exposure that artists gain at Showcase Scotland leads to record
deals and overseas touring contracts.
Scottish folk group Breabach said, “We’re just back from performing at the Ulsan
World Music Festival in South Korea. It really was an unbelievable experience and
we would not have got this once in a lifetime opportunity without the Showcase
Scotland platform at Celtic Connections.”
Next year the spotlight is well and truly on Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games.
In order to highlight the cultural connections Scotland has with the commonwealth
countries Showcase Scotland will be working with two international partners, India
and Australia. Celtic Connections 2014 will celebrate the strong cultural ties between
Indian, Australian and Scottish celtic musical traditions.
Celtic Connections Artistic Director Donald Shaw has selected the cream of the
musical crop from India and Australia to come and perform at the festival.
From India we have traditional folk singer Saurav Moni who travels among the
boatmen and wandering minstrels of the two Bengals, West Bengal and Bangladesh,
picking up songs. Also showcasing traditional music from the villages of Bengal will
be Ruhaniyat who are a two piece that have been around for a long time without
getting their due recognition. Now is their time and Ruhaniyat is an effort to bring
forward more of these unheard minstrels.
Hailing from Delhi Suhail Yusuf Khan is held up as a child prodigy in the world of
music. Giving his first live performance at the age of 11 this Sarangi player is the
eight generation in his family to play this traditional Indian instrument.
Today’s foremost international ambassador for India’s blossoming alternative music
scene, singer-songwriter and guitarist Raghu Dixit draws lyrical inspiration from
classical poets, amid a vibrantly alluring blend of folk, blues, rock, Sufi, funk, reggae,
bhangra and Latin sounds. With his band the Raghu Dixit Project, which he likens to
a collaborative open house for musicians from different genres, he’ll be showcasing
material from his imminent second album.
The beautiful Parveen Sabrina Khan will be doing what she does best and
performing “Maands”, a dying form of Rajasthani folk singing which she has learnt
from local folk artists in her home town of Jaipur.
Maru Tarang is a collaboration between the two partnering showcase countries.
From Rajasthan we have Asin Langa on Sindhi Sarangi and Bhungar Manganivar on
khartal, accompanied by Bobby Singh on tabla. Representing Australia there is the
singer-songwriter, guitar extraordinaire Jeff Lang who will infuse the collaboration
with a touch of jazz and Australian folk.
Australian artist Jordie Lane has been described as one of Australia’s brightest new
roots music stars. His unforgettable performances can shift seamlessly between
breathtaking folk ballads, raw country rock and old time blues.
Australia’s award-winning The Mae Trio perform luscious three-part vocals and
across this showcase weekend displaying their equal gifts for vivid lyrics and quirky
arrangements on new debut album Housewarming, produced by Shooglenifty’s Luke
Plumb.
Aboriginal singer-songwriter Shellie Morris will showcase a mix of contemporary folk
music and acoustic ballads. A featured singer with The Black Arm Band, Morris also
works with indigenous communities and youth throughout Australia helping
aboriginals to write music about their stories and experiences.
Donald Shaw, Artistic Director for Celtic Connections, said: "The Celtic Connections
festival has always been well known for celebrating the connections between Celtic
traditions and cultures across the globe and we’re really looking forward to exploring
further musical links with these Indian and Australian acts at next year’s festival. I
was blown away by the talent of these performers when I had the opportunity to see
them earlier this year and I can’t wait for the Glasgow audiences to experience their
music too.”
Ian Smith, Portfolio Manager: Music and IP development at Creative Scotland, said:
“The success of Showcase Scotland is due to the incredible global exposure it brings
to our artists with over £3M now spent annually on artist bookings, which is simply
phenomenal. Additionally we welcome international partners and 2014 is a very
special year for Glasgow, Scotland and Showcase as we host the 2014
Commonwealth Games in the City. Our partners represent the strengths of our
cultural ties with two hugely significant members of our commonwealth family: India
and Australia. This will be the first time we are celebrating with two international
partners and also with representative festivals from those nations; The Riff Festival in
India and the Woodford Festival in Australia. Showcase Scotland continues to show
the world what a multi-faceted cultural nation Scotland is and just how great our
music is. We are very proud of both.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Celtic Connections Press Office
Tel: 0141 287 3565
Email: hannah.matheson@glasgowlife.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Glasgow Life
Celtic Connections is promoted by Glasgow Life. Glasgow Life and its service brands (found
at www.glasgowlife.org.uk) are operating names of Culture and Sport Glasgow ("CSG").
CSG is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland with company
number SC313851 and having its registered office at 220 High Street, Glasgow G4 0QW.
CSG is registered as a charity with the office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (No
SC037844).