Celtic Connections 2012: Glasgow set to revel in 18-day extravaganza

Jan 20 2012

THE biggest Celtic music and arts festival in the world got underway In Glasgow on Thursday night.

Celtic Connections 2012 - the annual celebration of traditional Scottish music - was launched by a pipe band and fire throwers in the city centre.

A tribute to late singer and songwriter Gerry Rafferty will be one of the highlights of this year's festival.

Around 300 events are set to take place over 20 venues.

The 18-day event will see 2,100 artists descend upon the city, uniting musical genres from around the world including folk, roots, traditional, indie, blues and jazz.

An all-star line-up will assemble to celebrate the life and music of Rafferty, in a show organised by his daughter, Martha Rafferty, and friend, Rab Noakes, this Saturday.

It will feature the Proclaimers, Barbara Dickson, Maria Muldaur and Ron Sexsmith. Rafferty co-produced The Proclaimers' 1987 breakthrough hit Letter From America.

Rafferty, originally from Paisley, Renfrewshire, died in January last year. He was best known for his solo hit Baker Street as well as Stuck In The Middle With You while part of the group Stealers Wheel.

KT Tunstall will also play during a new show called Floating Palace, which will premiere at the festival before touring the UK.

Stalwarts of the Scottish folk scene including Sheena Wellington, Elspeth Cowie, Aileen Carr, Gordeanna McCulloch and Barbara Dymock will also take to the stage at the festival, which is now in its 19th year.

The Treacherous Orchestra, a 13-piece multi-instrumental band, will celebrate the launch of their debut album at the event.

New venues for the 2012 festival include the Mitchell Theatre, Brel in Ashton Lane, St Mary's Cathedral, Platform and Apollo 23, which is the new home of the Celtic Connections Festival Club.

The festival, which is sponsored by ScottishPower and promoted by Glasgow Life, will also take on a "political strand", playing host to a UCS Work-In 40th Anniversary Celebration, marking 40 years since the conclusion of the historic Upper Clyde Shipbuilder Work-In.