Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
27th Jan, 2026
The Citizens theatre resides heading south across the river Clyde, I was on my way to a late-night Celtic connections concert to see the flame worthy name of a band called Blazin fiddles. This newly refurbished venues look compliments the old and the new, it was like original stone couple with a plush interior.
The night proved an event of magnificent proportions. On first were a group called Hannah Rarity, the self-titled 3 piece playing to her harmonious vocals. The large stage there was decorated with two small stages on top of it had Rarity and her entourage lining the front for their encouragingly adept music, to soak and fill the room with their Celtic celebration. Of course, heading for a flawless capturing of old songs renewed, lively playing, foot stomping well laid passion in the pristine conditions of the theatre.
The howling wealth of Blazin Fiddles yet to come was heralded with an excitement, from a music world well used to marvelling the groups Blazin trail. They have just released there 11th studio album earlier over the new year called Incendo, meaning to set fire to and is a Latin word, Connections made before our eyes.
This Highlands and Islands grouping began their work together in 1998 so have been playing for 1/4 of a century. The magic in their hands delved into levels of tempestuous pace, newness and rarity, not unlike support act Hannah who laid the stones for an exceptionally large performance of 5 whose music came from Blazin’s treble violin, key board and guitar on stage.
Groups like this span out to a greater extent than one might think. The tireless Connections team, are a part of a much larger and more celebrated tradition that keeps it alive for all the year. The night was more than a great success. There was its magic hold as their first gig in the Citizens, that electric newness was unstoppably irresistible.
Their first recording was back in 2000 when they released a shop stopping album call Fire on. And as with this festival nothing was played without reason or intent. Their music was without a vocal so it was freer to tell its story. The wild care free musical chaos ensued from a precision of playing wonderful in its nuance of highly literate capacities in music, tradition and passionate belonging.
The richness built through the evening told stories of its own, in the rapid conducting huge smiles were placed between them, and huge characters behind it were revealed. The connection’s grasp their audiences with this power of ancient style and in sultry ways make all look effortless.
All praise for this band, through time, experience and sheer talent they pave the way for musical etiquette, stand tall on originality, and drove purely into the record books of our hearts and ears. The way they brought everything to count, fighting, through these 5 instruments, music with elegance and retrieved structures of the culture of what the connections mean in their inimitably dynamic teaming of hero’s and wonderful likenesses. I was hooked and thrilled by their show at this year’s festival.
Daniel Donnelly
themumble.uk 