January 29 2014
New Zealand artists to take centre stage at major music festival in Scotland
NZ takes the mantel this week to showcase our indie folk and roots music in exactly a year’s time at the world’s largest
winter music festival, in Scotland.
Each year Celtic Connections in Glasgow engages with one international partner, to draw together Celtic and roots music
strands from around the world; 2015 will highlight NZ indigenous artists through the Showcase Scotland programme.
Amongst the NZ performers confirmed for 2015 are taonga puoro composer and practitioner Horomona Horo, and Moana and the
Tribe, with more artists to be announced over the coming months.
Over 100,000 tickets sold during the first few week’s of this year’s festival which features 234 delegates from 29
countries. More than three million dollars worth of artist bookings can be expected from the showcase.
British Council NZ is the delivery partner which brokered the NZ connection for 2015.
“The revival of folk music worldwide mirrors the interest in diaspora roots in countries like New Zealand. This, along
with our historical links to Scotland and the whole of Britain, make the festival an inspiring way of exploring
commonalities and culture through music,” said British Council NZ Country Director Ingrid Leary.
“Showcase Scotland at Celtic connections are delighted to be partnering with New Zealand in 2015. We are looking forward
to learning and discovering the music and traditions of the nation,” said Lisa Whytock producer Showcase Scotland at
Celtic connections.
The Showcase Scotland project is one of several artist links NZ has forged with Scotland, through a Letter of Intention
signed last year between Creative New Zealand, Creative Scotland, and the British Council Head of Arts in London,
brokered by British Council New Zealand.
The agreement saw a record 14 NZ delegates attend the Edinburgh Festival; and on St Andrews Day last year (November 30)
a special festival was held in the Octagon to mark the Commonwealth Queen’s Baton relay.
Celtic Connections started in 1994 in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and has since been held every January. In the
beginning it was held in just one venue and ran over 14 days. Since then it has grown even bigger and better now
encompassing almost 20 venues right across the city of Glasgow and running over 18 days.
ENDS