• Foot Stompin’ Podcast is a Hands Up for Trad project
  • About
  • Free E-Book
  • FolkWaves

Foot Stompin' Scotland

Podcasts, TV Shows and Reviews website

  • Home
  • Podcasts
  • Non Stop Music!
  • Hands Up for Trad TV
  • Reviews
  • Contact
    Order by:

Reviews

Have you enjoyed a gig, album or festival (or anything else) in the Scottish traditional music scene? Why not write a review? Choose a review item below or if the item is not in the list below you can add it here. To write a review you have to be registered on the site. You can register here or alternatively log in on the right. Please read our review technique FAQ before reviewing an item.

Gig/Concert

Tryst, Project Smok, The Conundrum 2021, Celtic Connections 2021

January 29, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

One of my favourite instruments is the bagpipes. There’s just something about them that I love from the thrill of watching all the pipe bands go marching down the street in a town parade to watching the lone piper play haunting notes at Edinburgh Castle on Hogmanay. The beginning of this concert was something special. […]

January 29, 2021

Gig/Concert

Eddi Reader, Robyn Stapleton, Karen Matheson, Celtic Connections 2021

January 26, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Ever since I took up the role of being Young Ambassador at Ellisland Farm (where Burns once lived and worked) I have loved hearing all of his music sung and played by people all around the world. This fantastic concert starring Eddi Reader, Robyn Stapleton and Karen Matheson really reminded me of how important and […]

January 26, 2021

Gig/Concert

Kinnaris Quintet, The Secret Sisters, Mairearad Green, Sorren Maclean, Hannah Fisher – Celtic Connections 2021

January 25, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

What a joy! This concert was amazing! First to take to the stage was Mairearad Green and Sorren Maclean. With great atmospheric lighting, both of them produced such a rich, great sound as they played and sang. A lot of the songs they played not only had great tunes but were also very calming to […]

January 25, 2021

Gig/Concert

Ross Ainslie | Talisk | Mànran | Siobhan Miller | Beth Malcolm, Celtic Connections 2021 (by Alan Murray)

January 25, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Thursday evening’s concert was, in short, packed full of high quality music. A whole range of styles were on show, as well as a selection of Glasgow’s most beautiful and best sounding venues. First off was Ross Ainslie, at the Old Fruitmarket. Ross was joined by his Sanctuary Band, comprising of Paul Towndrow (Saxophone), Greg […]

January 25, 2021

Gig/Concert

Dreamers’ Circus | Kathleen MacInnes | Ímar | Jodhpur RIFF, Celtic Connections 2021

January 25, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Denmark-based trio Dreamers’ Circus began Saturday evening’s show, with a live set recorded in Copenhagen. The Nordic band – now 10 years old – have released their latest album Blue White Gold to celebrate the anniversary. I heard them in their earlier days in Aberdeen, supporting Lau, and even then you could tell they were […]

January 25, 2021

Gig/Concert

Ross Ainslie, Beth Malcom, Manran, Siobhan Miller, Talisk Concert Review, Celtic Connections 2021

January 22, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Well, what a superb, star-studded night that was! I’d been looking forward to it for days, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! This spectacular evening kicked off with the legend himself, Ross Ainslie, and the Sanctuary Band! This was such an excellent start to the concert and was filled with phenomenal music. The quality of the […]

January 22, 2021

Gig/Concert

Josie Duncan (New Voices), Celtic Connections 2021

January 20, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Tuning in to watch Josie Duncan’s ‘New Voices’ concert on Sunday, it was a joy to be back in the Royal Concert Hall, even virtually. The sound and visuals have been brilliant for the whole festival so far – the camerawork even took you onto the stage at times, where you could see how happy […]

January 20, 2021

Gig/Concert

Come Away In – Celtic Connections 2021

January 19, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

Passionate. That’s what I would say if I could describe the Come Away In concert in one word. Throughout this spectacular concert featuring artists such as Karine Polwart, Siobhan Miller, Findlay Napier, Eddi Reader and Rab Noakes you could clearly see that each person was totally embraced in the moment. From joyful foot tapping to […]

January 19, 2021

Gig/Concert

Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, Celtic Connections 2021

January 18, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

I tuned in to watch the third night of Celtic Connections online last night. It’s all going very well! The visuals are beautiful and the sound fantastic. I love watching and listening to duos – it’s a format where you can hear everything your partner is playing and react to them. Chris Stout and Catriona […]

January 18, 2021

Gig/Concert

And We Are Off! Celtic Connections 2021

January 15, 2021 By simon Leave a Comment

It felt great to be back at Celtic Connections tonight! Unfortunately not in person but Celtic Connections have still managed to bring our January music fix to our screens. This was a great start to the festival! The visuals were really clear and the sound fantastic – it was very close to being in the […]

January 15, 2021

Gig/Concert

Sierra Hull and Awkward Family Portraits

March 4, 2020 By ionagracefyfe Leave a Comment

I gid tae see Sierra Hull supported by Awkward Family Portraits at I’ New Auditorium in Glesca Royal Concert Hall as pairt o yon winter festival ca’d Celtic Connections. Awkward Farmily Portraits are a five-piece outfit based in Glesca wi’ Julen Santamaria , Timmy Allan, Andrew Herrington, Chris Dickie an’ Roo Geddes. They’ve aa hid […]

March 4, 2020

Gig/Concert

The High Rolling Sessions & Adam Holmes, Drygate Brewery. Celtic Connections 30th January 2020

February 11, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

The High Rolling Sessions are a relatively new entity, but the Edinburgh-based band are full of musicians with a wealth of experience. Born out of the capital’s session scene, as Toby Shippey (Salsa Celtica drummer & trumpeter) says, they’d played together so long they thought they “might as well make a band out of it!”.  […]

February 11, 2020

Gig/Concert

Anais Mitchell Campfire Review, Celtic Connections 2020

February 11, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

On Thursday 30th January, I gid tae see Anais Mitchell’s Campfire at Saint Luke’s in Glesca as pairt o’ Celtic Connections. The hale performance wis billed as Anais Mitchell’s Canpfife wi’ Kris Drever and Sam Amidon. The audience wis actually treated tae a muckle bill wi Roxy Plain and Bonnie Light Horsman. I hae tae […]

February 11, 2020

Gig/Concert

Kinnaris Quintet and Westward The Light, Celtic Connections 2020

February 2, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

Westward The Light are the incredible blend of Joseph Peach on piano, Charlie Grey on fiddle, Sally Simpson on viola and fiddle, and Owen Sinclair on guitar, and together they were the spectacular opener to the sensational Kinnaris Quintet. Westward The Light opened with a March played by unison fiddle and viola, which evolved through […]

February 2, 2020

Gig/Concert

Mhairi Hall: Airs, Celtic Connections 2020

February 2, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

The pianist Mhairi Hall is no stranger to innovative ideas – her last album launch took place atop Cairngorm mountain, with an upright piano brought up specially for the occasion.  Over ten years later, this evening saw her launching Airs in the (slightly more accessible!) Recital Room of the City Halls.  The perfect setting to […]

February 2, 2020

Gig/Concert

The Wandering Hearts & Zoe Graham – Celtic Connections 2020

January 29, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

The Oran Mor was packed for this Celtic Connections show, with tickets sold out, and a crowd of all ages waiting to hear the acts.  Zoe Graham was first up.  As I walked down the stairs to the venue, I could hear an impressively full sound emanating from the stage, and I thought Graham had […]

January 29, 2020

Gig/Concert

Roaming Roots Revue presents ‘Born to Run: 70th Birthday Tribute to Bruce Springsteen’ – Celtic Connections 2020

January 29, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

The Main Auditorium of the Concert Hall was already packed as I arrived – this show had sold out so fast that the festival put on a second date the following night.  I could hear whispers from those around me, people wondering if the Roaming Roots Revue (a regular event at Celtic Connections) could pull […]

January 29, 2020

Gig/Concert

Skye in his Heart – A tribute to Rick Taylor, Celtic Connections 2020

January 29, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

Rick Taylor was a man with a big sound, and a big heart who left behind a big legacy. A trombonist who touched audiences and musicians alike with his generosity, genius, kindness and huge musical knowledge, this sentiment was ever present at Celtic Connections’ recent tribute to him ‘Skye in his Heart’ on the 25th of […]

January 29, 2020

Gig/Concert

Jake Jolliff & Flook Gig Review, The City Halls, Celtic Connections 2020

January 27, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

The City Halls was the perfect room to hear the American Bluebrass sounds of Jacob Jolliff and his Band sharing a stage with Anglo-Irish instrumental band Flook – An evening of virtuoso improvisation! Mandolinist Jolliff, who studied at Berkley College of Music, confidently owned the spotlight on stage, giving a flawless evening of intricate improvised […]

January 27, 2020

Gig/Concert

The Big Fling, Celtic Connections 2020

January 23, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

One of my most anticipated gigs of Celtic Connections 2020 was The Big Fling – a night of musicians from the Scottish Dance Band scene. First on was Robert Black who. Next up was Manus Maguire’s Copperplate Road featuring the fiddling of Manus Maguire, Marie Fielding, Gemma Donald and Brian Gear. This was a great […]

January 23, 2020

Gig/Concert

New Voices: Padruig Morrison. Celtic Connections 2020

January 21, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

Padruig Morrison’s New Voices project was themed on his reflections and experiences of the near loss of the Gaelic language and culture, which he described as being of huge importance to himself, and he now feels are at “a critical level”. Known from Beinn Lee, the folk and ceilidh band from Uist, Morrison has used […]

January 21, 2020

Gig/Concert

The Outside Track with Eabhal. Celtic Connections 2020

January 21, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

Eabhal formed while the members were based in The Outer Hebrides and provide a charming mix of Gaelic and Scottish tunes and songs on pipes and whistle (Hamish Hepburn), fiddle (Jamie MacDonald), voice (Kaitlin Ross), accordion (Megan MacDonald) and guitar (Nicky Kirk). They were joined by Charlie Stewart on bass who played with them on […]

January 21, 2020

Gig/Concert

Hamish Napier: The Woods with Sarah-Jane Summers: Owerset

January 20, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

After a busy day yesterday I headed to Celtic Connections at The Mitchell Theatre to hear Sarah-Jane Summers and Hamish Napier perform their compositions. First Up was Sarah-Jane Summers’ Owerset – a reprisal of her 2018 New Voices commission. It featured 6 musicians – 2 fiddles, trumpet, accordion, double bass and guitar. I didn’t know […]

January 20, 2020

Gig/Concert

The Declaration – Greg Lawson & The Grit Orchestra. Celtic Connections 2020

January 17, 2020 By simon Leave a Comment

Greg Lawson and The GRIT orchestra were and are mesmerising! This years’ grand opening of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival was an explosion of sound, cultures, identity, tolerance, inclusivity, hope, and freedom in what Lawson described as a “diverse orchestral landscape” with a “kaleidoscopic landscape of sound”. The positive themes, which drew their inspiration from the […]

January 17, 2020

Gig/Concert

Review: Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton’s Symbiosis with Anxo Lorenzo Band at Celtic Connections

February 5, 2019 By simon Leave a Comment

I had been looking forward to this gig all Celtic Connections festival. I enjoyed Ross and Ali’s CD – Symbiosis II and I was interested to see how it would be performed live. The first thing that was great about the gig was the lighting! Lighting engineer Gary Ebdy is a genius and from minute […]

February 5, 2019

Gig/Concert

Malinky

January 28, 2019 By simon Leave a Comment

Malinky celebrated twenty years as a band, with a programme of new songs and an all-star line-up of special guests at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The performance presented a wealth of opportunity for the audience to join in on choruses and refrains, and despite the sit-down concert environment, which may put off the audience […]

January 28, 2019

Gig/Concert

Review: ‘The Little Book of Scottish Folk Songs’ Launch concert with TMSA Young Trad Tour

January 28, 2019 By simon Leave a Comment

When I arrived at this sold out gig it was lovely to see an array of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award finalists from many years on the stage – so many memories! Performing were Graham Mackenzie (2013), Paddy Callaghan (2013), David Shedden (2018), Amy Papiransky (2018), Charlie Stewart (2017) and Luc McNally (2019). […]

January 28, 2019

Gig/Concert

Deaf Shepherd – Celtic Connections 19th January 2019

January 20, 2019 By simon Leave a Comment

Ok first a disclaimer. I’m married to the fiddler in Deaf Shepherd. I married Clare 1. because she’s beautiful and talented and 2. because she was in Deaf Shepherd! I mean what a band. Three fabulous albums of fiddle, bagpipes and Scots song. Last night was the band’s first gig in 9 years but you […]

January 20, 2019

Gig/Concert

Aidan O’Rourke and Kit Downes with James Robertson at The Tolbooth, Stirling 18/04/2018

April 19, 2018 By simon Leave a Comment

I went up to the Tolbooth last night to hear Aidan O’Rourke’s latest project with with renowned organist and piano player Kit Downes and author James Robertson. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to be listening to but what an amazing night! Aidan’s music was inspired by James Robertson’s book of 365 Stories […]

April 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

Kinnaris an RURA, Celtic Connections 2018

February 3, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

Firmly resettled into their founding four-piece, Scottish instrumental powerhouse RURA continue to evolve and refine their traditionally-rooted but potently progressive sound, now adding piano to their line-up of bagpipes, fiddle, guitar and bodhran. On their seventh Celtic Connections appearance since forming in 2010, they’ll be firing up new material for 2018’s third album, before heading […]

February 3, 2018

Gig/Concert

Blazin’ Fiddles 20th and Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, Celtic Connections 2018

February 2, 2018 By simon 2 Comments

In 1998, Bruce MacGregor assembled a selection of Highland and island fiddlers, spotlighting distinctive regional styles, for a one-off two-week tour, named to reflect the fiery young talents involved. Twenty years on, Blazin’ Fiddles rank securely among Scotland’s foremost folk acts, sought-after headliners across the Celtic scene. Today’s line-up – MacGregor, still, with Jenna Reid, […]

February 2, 2018

Gig/Concert

The Grit Orchestra: Bothy Culture & Beyond Celtic Connections 2018

January 29, 2018 By acmi 3 Comments

Bothy Culture & Beyond; a music-vision-dance-bike spectacular featuring The GRIT Orchestra & guests with special appearance by Danny MacAskill. Following its unforgettable debut at the opening concert of Celtic Connections 2015, the groundbreaking GRIT Orchestra presents another spectacular world première – a grand-scale live version of Bothy Culture, the late Martyn Bennett’s second album. Bennett’s […]

January 29, 2018

Gig/Concert

Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys at The Oran Mor

January 28, 2018 By ionagracefyfe Leave a Comment

Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys didna need ony introduction an’ rippit intae the first sang, Greenland Whale wi’ rare vigour. I’ powerhouse o’ a band commandit attention fae I’ first nummer and fit impressed me, wis a’ the loons singin’ an takin’ different harmonies fae I’ ward go – mair lads need tae sing, […]

January 28, 2018

Gig/Concert

Väsen And Aizle, Celtic Connections 2018

January 27, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

Approaching their 30th year, Swedish trio Väsen continue to win rapturous acclaim throughout the folk world and beyond. Matching consummate virtuosity with joyous ensemble synergy, deep traditional roots with dazzling original tunes, they’ve worked with acts as diverse as the Danish String Quartet and Snarky Puppy, and excelled themselves once more with their recent 17th […]

January 27, 2018

Gig/Concert

Ladies of Soul, Celtic Connections 2018

January 19, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

A collaborative triple bill of up-and-coming soul talent, highlighting the genre’s 21st-century vibrancy. Born in Nigeria, now Glasgow-based, Unoma Okudo has opened for Macy Gray and Alexander O’Neal, and won high praise for 2016’s debut EP Odyssey, reflecting her musical journey from childhood singing in church to contemporary jazz/soul stylings. London’s Sharlene-Monique, who’s toured with […]

January 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

New Voices: Innes White, Celtic Connections 2018

January 19, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

Growing up in Dingwall, the young multi-instrumentalist and singer Innes White was involved with Fèis Rois from an early age, and is now one of Scotland’s most in-demand accompanists, working with Mischa Macpherson, Karen Matheson and John McCusker, among others. Playing guitar, mandolin and piano, he was nominated as Instrumentalist of the Year in the […]

January 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

Croft No. 5 and Dosca, Celtic Connections 2018

January 19, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

One of Scotland’s most popular progressive folk acts as the 21st century dawned, Croft No. Five introduced a swathe of then-upstart talents, forging a highly influential fusion of trad, funk, world and EDM elements. Two decades after they formed, John and Misha Somerville, Barry Reid, Somhairle Macdonald, Paul Jennings, Adam Sutherland, Duncan Lyall and Innes […]

January 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

Jim Malcolm and Avocet, Celtic Connections 2018

January 19, 2018 By simon 2 Comments

A former Songwriter of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards – and three-time Scots Singer nominee – Perthshire’s finest Jim Malcolm has steadily built on the acclaim he won while fronting the Old Blind Dogs for seven years, with the ensuing dozen firmly cementing his reputation as a captivating interpreter of traditional songs, […]

January 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

Nava and The Secret North, Celtic Connections 2018

January 19, 2018 By simon 1 Comment

Bringing together six leading contemporary folk talents, sharing fruitfully diverse backgrounds, The Secret North began with five days’ intensive workshopping in a remote Highland studio last summer. Scotland’s Ailie Robertson (harp) and Donald Grant (fiddle), together with Jarlath Henderson (uillean pipes/whistles), Karen Tweed (accordion), Norway’s Sondre Meisfjord (bass) and Swedish/Norwegian mandola ace Marit Fält all […]

January 19, 2018

Gig/Concert

Tinto Summer School Concert 2017

July 2, 2017 By simon 6 Comments

The end concert of Tinto Summer School 2017. Average Rating:

July 2, 2017

Latest Podcast

Support Hands Up for Trad

Can you help Hands Up for Trad to deliver our many projects by supporting our Patreon page? Three tiers – $1, $5, $10 – everyone of them helping us to help musicians and Scottish culture. Visit our page here.
Become a Patron!

Login

Register

Latest Reviews

Tryst, Project Smok, The Conundrum 2021, Celtic Connections 2021

One of my favourite instruments is the bagpipes. There’s just something about them that I love from … [Read More...]

Eddi Reader, Robyn Stapleton, Karen Matheson, Celtic Connections 2021

Ever since I took up the role of being Young Ambassador at Ellisland Farm (where Burns once lived … [Read More...]

Kinnaris Quintet, The Secret Sisters, Mairearad Green, Sorren Maclean, Hannah Fisher – Celtic Connections 2021

What a joy! This concert was amazing! First to take to the stage was Mairearad Green and Sorren … [Read More...]

Subscribe To our Podcasts Newsletter

* indicates required




Follow us!

Snapchat

Follow handsupfortrad on Snapchat!

Check out our Spotify Playlists

Check out our Spotify Playlists
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Hands Up for Trad, PO Box 3486, Glasgow G62 9DD www.handsupfortrad.scot. Log in