Celtic Connections – Glasgow’s internationally renowned folk, roots and world music festival – today announces two new additions to the line up of Big Top, the two-night music event on Skye.

Raul Malo, perhaps best known as the frontman of chart-topping country band the Mavericks, will headline Friday 23^rd March and get the Celtic Connections Big Top tent rocking with a set of crowd favourites and solo material from his own album. Celtic Connections is delighted to welcome Raul back after his memorable appearance as a special guest on the sell-out Transatlantic Sessions tour.

A special Fèis Rois concert has also been confirmed for Saturday 24^th March.  Fèis Rois, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011, has taught thousands of budding singers and instrumentalists at its weekly classes and residential courses around the Highlands.  Many Celtic Connections performers have also been taught by the Fèis so this will be a great chance to spot their successors on this prodigiously talented bill.

They join Rosanne Cash, The Civil Wars, Michael McGoldrick Band, Dàimh, The Deadly Gentlemen, Aoife O’Donovan (Crooked Still) and Mànran, with more special guests still to be confirmed.

In December 2011, it was announced that Celtic Connections would be leaving its Glasgow home for the first time in 19 years to stage a two night music event in Broadford, Isle of Skye from 23^rd – 24^th March 2012.

As the finale to Scotland’s Islands, Celtic Connections Big Top will feature a top 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.

Up to 4,000 residents and visitors are expected to flood into the Celtic Connections Big Top to see local performers sharing the spotlight with artists from across the globe.

Donald Shaw, Celtic Connections Artistic Director, said: “With just four weeks to go, we’re very excited to be able to announce country favourite Raul Malo as the Friday headliner.  With such exceptional energy and a string of chart-toppers under his belt, he’ll be sure to start off the two day event with a bang!

“Fèis Rois are long-standing partners of Celtic Connections, and after the brilliant performance at this year’s festival, it’s great that they will join us for Celtic Connections Big Top to add to what is already a stellar line-up.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “Big Top will bring the magic of Celtic Connections to a whole new audience, and the latest additions to the programme will make the event all the more exciting as we bring the ‘Year of Scotland’s Islands’ to a close. Scotland is the perfect stage for events and I am sure Skye will provide a stunning backdrop to the Celtic Connections activity, which will capture the imagination of both the local community and visitors to the island.”

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. Taking one of Glasgow’s best festivals to an island with a rich musical heritage is a sign of the city’s ambition to play a growing part in delivering world-class culture across Scotland and beyond.”

Tickets and info are available online at www.celticconnections.com/bigtop or 0141 353 8000 priced at £40 for a full access, weekend ticket, or £25 for a day ticket.

Source: Celtic Connections