Firelight Trio and Lauren MacColl

Firelight Trio is a mighty new group featuring Fatea instrumentalist of the year 2023 Gavin Marwick (fiddle), accordionist Phil Alexander (Moishe’s Bagel), and Ruth Morris (Outlander – HBO) on the beautiful Swedish Nyckelharpa. Ruth’s resonant nyckelharpa is matched by Gavin’s powerhouse fiddle, all backed up by Phil’s groovily inventive accordion and piano, in a rich tapestry of lively Swedish polskas and Scottish reels, lilting French waltzes, toe-tapping klezmer, dazzling original tunes and more. At this Celtic Connections show they will be launching their brand new album. 

‘A veritable roots music supergroup’ – RnR

Lauren MacColl is considered one of Scotland’s most expressive fiddle players. From the Black Isle, she studied music in Glasgow before returning home to the Highlands, where she draws much of her musical inspiration. A twenty-year career of varied collaboration and recording has led to an extensive back catalogue of releases, both in a solo capacity and with her long-term musical associates in the fiddle quartet RANT. Her playing is both dynamic and fragile in its honesty, and her own writing is imbued with tradition. At this year's festival, she performs on fiddle & viola with her many-stringed friends Anna Massie (guitar) and Calum McIlroy (mandolin and tenor guitar).

This bill offers a stunning contrast: MacColl's beautiful, grounded Scottish fiddle artistry followed by the Trio’s powerhouse, cross-continental folk adventure. A truly unique and unmissable night of instrumental genius.