The award-winning Hebridean Celtic Festival has provided a vital £12 million economic lifeline to the Western Isles over the past three years since the COVID-19 pandemic while helping secure dozens of jobs, organisers have revealed. Analysis highlights a £4.1 million boost to the local community from the 2024 festival alone, marking an increase of £600,000 […]
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Live Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie’s Charitable Trust.
The Elizabeth Lornie’s Charitable Trust, previously known as The Morton Charitable Trust, has supported Live Music Now Scotland over many years, with a particular emphasis on its work with older people with dementia in residential and day care in Edinburgh. The new name honours Mrs Lornie’s extremely generous philanthropic support of and personal interest in […]
Dauntless: Battle of The Folk Bands Winners 2025
Congratulations to Dauntless who won Battle of The Folk Bands 2025 at Celtic Connections festival in the Drygate Brewery on Saturday 18th January. Five bands performed Beatha, Dàna, Lussa, The Jack Houston Band and Dauntless to a sold out audience. Watch their winning performance below. Battle of The Folk Bands is a Hands Up for […]
Reel good time for Celtic Connections 2025 opening weekend
Europe’s premier winter music festival music got off to a spectacular start this weekend, taking over more than 30 venues across Glasgow. Lifting the spirits of thousands of music fans, the 2025 opening weekend of Celtic Connections showcased the very best in traditional, roots, world, soul, jazz and orchestral music. Highlights of the festival so […]
Standing Together for Safe Spaces in Traditional Music
Hands Up for Trad is committed to fostering a safe, respectful environment within the traditional music community. We firmly support the Musicians’ Union Safe Space scheme, which addresses sexual harassment and abuse of power in our industry. Recent research by the Musicians’ Union revealed that 48% of musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work, with […]
Scotland’s World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond. The fourth edition of the nationwide language initiative will take place from 24th February – 2nd March 2025 celebrating the theme, Ceanglaichean gun Chrìch (pronounced kyeh-leech-un gun chreech), which signifies Building Connections in […]
Battle of the Folk Bands 2025: Beatha
Beatha have reached the finals of Battle of The Folk Bands 2025. The competition will be held at Celtic Connections on January 18th in the Drygate Brewery at 1pm. Why not come along and join in the fun? We asked Iona of Beatha a few questions about the band. Tell us about your band Based […]
Battle of The Folk Bands 2025 Finalists Announced
Celtic Connections proudly presents this year’s Battle of the Folk Bands on Saturday 18th January in the Drygate Brewery at 1pm, one of the most exciting events showcasing Scotland’s finest emerging talent. Five brilliant new bands – Beatha, Dàna, Dauntless, Lussa, and The Jack Houston Band – will take to the stage to compete for […]
Battle of the Folk Bands 2025: The Jack Houston Band
The Jack Houston Band have reached the finals of Battle of The Folk Bands 2025. The competition will be held at Celtic Connections on January 18th in the Drygate Brewery at 1pm. Why not come along and join in the fun? We asked Jack of The Jack Houston Band a few questions about the band. […]
Battle of the Folk Bands 2025: Dàna
Dàna have reached the finals of Battle of The Folk Bands 2025. The competition will be held at Celtic Connections on January 18th in the Drygate Brewery at 1pm. Why not come along and join in the fun? We asked Anna of Dàna a few questions about the band. Tell us about your band Dàna […]