Celtic Connections announces line-up for 2009

The line-up has been announced for Celtic connections, one of Scotland's most predominant mid-winter music festivals, which attracts the Celtic and World music talent from around the globe to the city of Glasgow, Scotland from Monday January 15th until Friday 1st February 2009.

The line-up for 2009 includes the Sharon Shannon Big Band with Cara Dillon, Nu-Nordic Night with a host of Scandinavian acts, Eric Bibb, Kate Rusby, Cerys Matthews, Eddi Reader, Edwyn Collins, Kathleen MacInnes, Dr John, Richard Thompson, and Youssou N'Dour.

The line-up in full, in alphabetical order, is as follows:
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet, Allen Toussaint, Anabel Santiago, Arty McGlynn, Ashley MacIsaac, Baltic Crossing, Barry Phillips, Baskery, Bassekou Kouyate, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Battlefield Band, Béla Fleck, Blazin' Fiddles, Branford Marsalis, Brian Byrne, Cara Dillon, Cathal Hayden, Cerys Matthews, Cherryholmes, Chris Newman, Chris Stout, Crooked Still, Dervish, Dr John, Drever, McCusker and Woomble, Eddi Reader, Edwyn Collins, Eric Bibb, Fribo, Galant, tu perds ton temps, Garry Walker, Gibb Todd, Greg Lawson, Griogair Labhruidh, Harem Scarem, Homebound, Ian Carr & Niklas Rosvall, Innovation, J.P. Cormier, James Ross, Jarlath Henderson, Jayme Stone, Jerry Douglas, Jerry Holland, Julie Fowlis, Karan Casey, Kate Rusby, Kathleen MacInnes, Kathy Mattea, La Bottine Souriante, Lau, Lauren MacColl, Leon Hunt, Liz Clark, Llan de Cubel, Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Lúnasa, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Mairearad Green, Máirtín O'Connor, Malinky, Mansa Sissoko, Mariza, Mary Jane Lamond, Michael Nyman, Mick West, Moonlighting, Na Seoid, New Irish Tradition, Nollaig Casey, Old Blind Dogs, Patsy Reid, Pigeon Top, Richard Thompson, Rick Taylor, Robby Hecht, Ross Ainslie, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Ruthie Foster, Sally Beamish, Salsa Celtica, Séamie O'Dowd, Sharon Shannon Big Band, Shooglenifty, Steve Forman, Sylvia Barnes, The Barra MacNeils, The Bluebells, The Burns Unit, The Hot Seats, The Long Notes, The Wilders, Tim O'Brien, Tommy Smith, Youssou N'Dour, and Yves Lambert & The Bebert Orchestra.

Most of the festival concerts take place at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall but other venues include the City Halls, the Old Fruitmarket, The Classic Grand, and The National Piping Centre. Many events sell out very quickly and as well as the predictably popular artists, there are also many specialist events, almost too numerous to mention, such as a Hurdy Gurdy night, Accordian Night and Scottish Pipe Band performances.

Other highlights to expect include the nightly Celtic Connections Festival Club (for season ticket holders), the free Open Stage Sessions at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall, workshops every weekend, talks, films and dance.

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