Celtic Connections – Glasgow’s internationally renowned folk, roots and world music festival – unveiled plans to stage a first-of-its-kind, two-night music event on the Isle of Skye in Spring 2012 as a finale to the Year of Scotland’s Islands.

Celtic Connections will leave its city home for the first time in 19 years to bring Celtic Connections Big Top to Skye, featuring a top, two-day line-up of traditional music, show-stopping arts experiences and action-packed workshops on a local and international scale, showcasing local talent alongside top international artists.

Celtic Connections Big Top will showcase the sounds of Nashville, Tennessee, with Grammy Award winner Rosanne Cash and The Civil Wars. Rosanne, daughter of Johnny Cash, will deliver a selection of her biggest hits, including some of her 11 number one singles from her 30-year career. The Civil Wars – a folk-country-Americana duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White – will be performing songs from their Grammy nominated debut album Barton Hollow which debuted at number one in the Billboard Digital Albums chart.

The Michael McGoldrick Band will also take to the stage with their show stopping big-band line-up, showcasing their uniquely compelling, cutting edge Celtic sounds. Michael is widely regarded as one of the greatest flute players of all time and has collaborated with the likes of Mark Knopfler, Youssou N’Dour and the Transatlantic Sessions.

Aoife O’Donovan of Crooked Still fame will perform her own special brand of bluegrass and Americana folk.

Highland favourites Dàimh were described as “one of the most exhilarating acoustic bands on the Celtic map” by Irish Music Magazine and will perform alongside The Deadly Gentlemen, five of contemporary Americana’s greatest talents: Greg Liszt (Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions Band, Crooked Still) on banjo and vocals, Michael Barnett on fiddle, Stash Wyslouch on guitar, Dominic Leslie on mandolin and Sam Grisman on double bass.

Mànran, who this week won an MG Alba Scots Trad Music Award for Album of the Year, are fast becoming the must-see Highland band of these times. Following a phenomenally successful launch of their debut Gaelic single, they have notched up triumphant appearances at festivals throughout Europe and are set to bring a taste of traditional, Gaelic and folk rock to the Big Top line-up.

Up to 4,000 residents and visitors are expected to flood into the Big Top to see local performers sharing the spotlight with artists from across the globe. There will also be the chance to get a snapshot of Island life with local stalls celebrating the produce and textiles of the island.

Donald Shaw, Celtic Connections Artistic Director, said: “We’re thrilled to bring a taste of Celtic Connections to the people of Skye.  The Big Top is set to highlight the rich tapestry of musical traditions from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and Ireland, along with the very best of Americana for concerts typical of the festival experience.’’

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “We are delighted to be supporting Big Top, which will showcase the magic of Celtic Connections to a new audience. The Isle of Skye will undoubtedly provide the perfect stage for the event and with a fantastic line-up will be a fitting finale to the ‘Year of Scotland’s Islands’ programme.”

Murdo Mackay, a project leader for the Year of Scotland’s Islands and Western Isles Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing new audiences as well as loyal folk and world music fans journey to Skye in Spring 2012.  The Big Top is the perfect finale to The Year of Scotland’s Islands, which has had over 500 fantastic events take place across 42 islands since its launch last April.

“The Year of Scotland’s Islands has showcased and celebrated the music, arts, food and history of the islands as well as highlighting their unique beauty as visitor destinations too. The Big Top captures this spirit perfectly.”

Councillor George Redmond, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Celtic Connections brings people from all over the world to Glasgow to celebrate and enjoy the finest performances with a Celtic theme. The Celtic Connections Big Top will allow many more people the chance to enjoy and take part in some amazing performances and workshops. Skye has produced some inspirational and world renowned musicians and the performances there next Spring will build on that rich heritage.”

Broadford, Skye, 23rd–24th March 2012, Featuring Rosanne Cash, The Civil Wars, Michael McGoldrick Band, Dàimh, The Deadly Gentlemen, Aoife O’Donovan (Crooked Still), Mànran and Special Guests to be announced.

Tickets go on sale from Friday 9th December and are available online at www.celticconnections.com/bigtop or 0141 353 8000.  A full access, weekend ticket is priced at £40 or day tickets are available at £25.

Source: Celtic Connections