About Big Top
The Artists
About Skye
Travel Info
Where to Stay
Media
Contact Us
About Big Top
Celtic Connections Heads Skye-Wards
Celtic Connections – Glasgow's internationally renowned folk, roots and world music festival – will stage a first-of-its-kind, two-day music festival on the Isle of Skye as a finale to the Year of Scotland’s Islands. Taking place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th March 2012 at the Broadford Airfield, the Big Top will feature a 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 self-titled 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.
Aoife O’Donovan of Crooked Still fame will perform her own special brand of bluegrass and Americana folk.
Highland favourites Dàimh will also be performing alongside The Deadly Gentlemen, five of contemporary Americana’s greatest talents.
Mànran, who recently won the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Award for Album of the Year, are set to bring a taste of traditional, Gaelic and folk rock to the Big Top line-up.
Plus many more, see all the artists so far…
Tickets
Weekend Tickets: Adult £40 | Adult + 1 Free Child Under 14 £40
Day Tickets:
Friday 23rd March, £25 | Saturday 24th March, £25
Children under 14 go free (limited to one child per paying adult) and all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
A transaction charge of £1 applies to all online bookings, £1.50 for telephone bookings.
Booking: Book online using the links above, alternatively to book by phone call 0141 353 8000.
Celtic Connections Big Top is organised in association with Beyond.
The Artists
Rosanne Cash (Sat 24th)
The last couple of years have been a period of intensely fruitful retrospection for Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash. The 2010 publication of her bestselling memoir, Composed, was preceded by the first-ever covers album of her 30-year career, The List. Encompassing all strands and eras of southern US roots music, these songs have always implicitly informed her finely-poised course between country, rock, traditional and pop sounds, while The List's eloquent interpretations saw it named Album of the Year at the 2010 Americana Music Awards. Tonight she will be accompanied by husband and Grammy Award winning musician, producer, songwriter, and recording engineer John Leventhal (guitar/vocals).
THE CIVIL WARS (Sat 24th)
The Civil Wars are the acclaimed folk-country-Americana duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White. They will be performing songs from their Grammy nominated debut album Barton Hollow which debuted at number one in the Billboard Digital Albums chart. In Barton Hollow the raw live arrangements that fans hear on the road are fleshed out with just the barest of acoustic accoutrements. Their performance tonight will comprise exclusively of the duo without any back-up band. The stripped down and organic element to their performance is to convey more emotion and tell the story more effectively.
On the other hand, there's been something distinctly loud about the duo's introduction to the world, even prior to Barton Hollow's release. Their signature song "Poison & Wine" was heard on Grey's Anatomy in its entirety over a key climactic montage, prompting hundreds of thousands of viewers to Google the mystery music. At last count, the official video for "Poison & Wine" had been viewed 400,000 times.
Michael McGoldrick band (Fri 23rd)
Fusing his astonishing natural ability for traditional music along with irresistable trance and jazz grooves has led Mancunian flute/whistle player Michael McGoldrick to be heralded as one of the greatest flautists of all time. Prepare to be blown away by his mighty big-band line-up performing from the uniquely compelling, cutting edge Celtic sounds of his acclaimed solo albums Fused (2000), Wired (2005) and Aurora (2010). Along with his own Uillean pipes, flute and whistles will be Dezi Donnelly (fiddle), Jon Joe Kelly (bodhran), Ed Boyd (guitar), Neil Yates (trumpet) and full band with special guests for his appearance on Skye. He was named BBC Radio 2 folk musician of the year in 2006 and regularly tours with Capercaillie and the Mark Knopfler band.
Dàimh (Sat 24th)
Formerly something of a well-kept Highland secret, Dàimh are nowadays widely rated among Scotland's top traditional bands, particularly since adding Calum Alex MacMillan's eloquent Gaelic vocals to their original line-up of bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, banjo, mandola, guitar and bodhran. From pyrotechnic jigs and reels to achingly poignant ballads, they run the full expressive gamut of folk music at its best and are justly renowned for their thrilling live shows.
Deadly Gentlemen (Fri 23rd)
The alt-bluegrass band for the 21st century. Five of contemporary Americana's boldest young brainiacs. 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. They will take you on a journey from Old time Americana songs to epic punk blue-grass workouts!
Mànran (Fri 23rd)
Winners of this year's MG Alba Scots Trad Music Award for Album of the Year Mànran are fast becoming the must-see highland band of these times. Following last January's phenomenally successful launch of their debut Gaelic single they have notched up triumphant appearances at festivals throughout Europe and released a stunning debut album. Featuring Scottish and Irish bagpipes, fiddle, flute and the stunning gaelic vocals of Norrie MacIver they've been hailed by the Herald for their "top-drawer technical prowess and wealth of distinctive flourishes", while the Irish World called them "one of Scotland's most fascinating new musical forces".
Aoife O’Donovan (FRI 23RD)
Aoife O'Donovan is one of the great rising vocal stars of the new americana scene. Her last project was guesting with probably the world's greatest individual performers of their chosen instruments; Yo-Yo Ma on cello, Edgar Meyer on bass, Chris Thile on mandolin and Stuart Duncan on fiddle, which gives an idea of the respect she is shown by her peers! She is no stranger to Celtic Connections' audiences - last year's show in Glasgow by her alt-bluegrass/string band Crooked Still band was one of the highlights.
Her natural talent for songwriting recently came to the attention of Alison Krauss, who recorded Aoife's song Lay My Burden Down, which is included on Alison's album Paper Airplane (2011 Rounder Records) and can also be heard in the film Get Low (2010 Sony Pictures). Aoife's crystalline voice has also been heard on True Blood (HBO) and Private Practice (ABC). In June 2010, Aoife released her first solo recording in the form of a limited edition 7" vinyl. Featuring two original tracks, it garnered rave reviews from audiophiles worldwide.
More artists still to be announced
watch this space
About Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland, and for good reason: people come for the wildlife, history, geology, mind-blowing scenery, hill-walking and a variety of other outdoor activities.
Portree, the island capital, has a picturesque, pastel cottage-lined harbour, overlooked by 'The Lump'. To the north is the Trotternish peninsula, home to startling geological features such as the Quirang, Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. However, it is the Cuillin that is the most outstanding feature on Skye, the peaks visible from all over the island, one of the most impressive sights in Scotland. With 20 Munros in the Red and Black Cuillin, they are a paradise for walkers and climbers.
The influence of the sea is also never far away with sea fishing and a wide range of other watersports being catered for on Skye. Wildlife cruises sail from various locations from which you might be able to spot seals, lovable otters, great golden eagles or the even bigger sea eagles.
Bonnie Prince Charlie fled over the sea to Skye with the help of Flora MacDonald. You can take the bridge now, as well as the ferry, but the romance embodied by the flight of 'The Young Pretender' still lingers. There's just something about Skye that will stay with you forever.
Sleat in the south of the Isle of Skye is the peninsula closest to Ashaig and is proud to have a fantastic choice of places to eat, drink and stay. For more information on activities, accommodation & things to do in the Sleat peninsula log on to www.visitsleat.org
Travel Info
Traveling to Skye
Skye is joined to the mainland by the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh and it also has two mainland ferry connections from Mallaig and Glenelg, the latter summer only.
By train:
Trains run from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh where you can either walk or get the bus across the Skye Bridge to Kyleakin.
Trains also run from Fort William to Mallaig where you can take the ferry over to Armadale. This is recognised as being the most scenic railway line in the country.
A daily service is operated by First Scotrail - timetables and booking are available online.
By Bus:
Citylink operate long distance buses going from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Fort William to Skye on a daily basis. To find out about times and online booking visit www.citylink.co.uk
By vehicle ferry from Mallaig to Armadale:
The summer ferry runs 6 or 7 times a day (including some Sundays at the height of the season) between Mallaig and Armadale on the Isle of Skye. The winter service is limited to 2 journeys a day (Monday to Friday only). Journey time: 25 minutes. Vehicle reservation required. Bikes are carried free of charge.
The Caledonian Macbrayne website lists the current timetables and prices in detail. Tel: 01475 650 100 / fax: 01475 635 235 or for vehicle reservations telephone 08705 650000.
Traveling Around Skye
Buses on Skye:
Various local bus services operate on the island.
- The main roads are covered by the Citylink services between Kyleakin, Broadford, Portree and Uig.
- Stagecoach Buses operate many other local routes including Armadale-Kyleakin, Portree-Dunvegan, etc.
- Also visit travelinescotland.com which is the official public transport guide with online timetables and a journey planner.
Car Hire:
- M2 Motors - car sales and car hire with a wide range of vehicles (large and small, manual and automatic) including minibus and vans. Based in Portree. Drop off / pick up elsewhere can be arranged. Tel: 01478 613344.
- Jans has cars and vans to hire from 6 Broom Place on the Portree Industrial Estate. Tel: 01478 612087.
- Car hire on Skye is available from Portree Coachworks. Tel: 01478 612688.
- Self drive vehicles are also available from the Kyle Taxi Company. Range of vehicles from cars and vans to motorhomes available for hire from Kyle of Lochalsh. Can arrange delivery to Portree, Uig, Armadale, Plockton or even Inverness. Telephone: 01599 534323.
Bike Hire:
- Fairwinds in Broadford on Elgol Road (4th house after the Broadford Hotel) - phone: 01471 822 270. They also offer B&B accommodation.
- Island Cycles, The Green, Portree (near the long stay car park) - telephone: 01478 613 121. Mountain bikes, touring and sport cycles available. Also repairs and spares.
- Kyle Taxi Company also has mountain bikes for hire. Telephone: 01599 534323.
Where to Stay
Whether you prefer a night under canvas or 5 star luxury, Skye has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. Across the island you'll find a wide range of guesthouses, inns, B&Bs, apartments, hotels, traditional croft cottages, chalets, caravans and youth hostels as well as the Ashaig campsite which is situated within walking distance of the festival venue.
Whatever your budget find your ideal place to stay in Scotland using the VisitScotland accommodation directory including an extensive range of hotels, self-catering, B&B and other accommodation types.
For more information on the Isle of Skye as well as Lochalsh and Raasay in the north west of Scotland, visit:
Media
To apply for accreditation for Celtic Connections Big Top please complete our online application form. Once we have processed your application we will get in touch to let you know if you have been accredited within three weeks. Please note that we may request a commissioning letter from your editor or producer, or copies of articles you have written on previous Celtic Connections festivals.
Contact Us
We're always interested to hear your comments about the Big Top. You can also use this form to send us any enquiries you may have.
Please note: We are unable to take bookings or process reservation requests via this form.
Or give us a call...
If you would rather talk to someone you can call us on 0141 353 8000 during our normal opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 10am-6pmSunday opening hours may vary. Phone lines are open until 9pm on concert evenings.