Music venues will be able to return to normal operation from Monday 24th January, following the lifting of the limitations announced by the Scottish Government just before Christmas.

The limits to capacity in clubs and theatres, as well as the physical distancing measures which have been in force for the past four weeks have been relaxed, as has the three-household limit on socialising, following a “significant fall” in the numbers of new Covid cases.

However, larger venues – hosting events with more than 1000 attendees – will still be subject to rules which mean that at least 50 per of those present, or 1000 people (whichever figure is higher) – must provide proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test.

The restrictions which came into place on Boxing Day meant a 100-capacity limit on unseated events and a 200-capacity limit on all-seater shows as well as one metre physical distancing, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of shows.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised caution even with the lifting of restrictions, saying: “Even though from Monday we will no longer recommend a fixed upper limit on numbers of households, if we all continue to keep gatherings as small as our circumstances allow for now – until the end of this month – we will reduce our risks of infection.

“And, of course,” she added, “we should continue to take lateral flow tests before meeting up with people from other households.”

DF Concerts’ Geoff Ellis, said: “The message now is very positive for the remainder of 2022 – buy tickets, let’s get the shows on the road and get back to enjoying live music.

“There is a proverbial feast of live music, with a plethora of diverse and interesting events, throughout the year.”

And Celtic Connections, whose outlook was bleak at the end of 2021, confirmed that many of its shows would go ahead as planned.

Gigs by Norman Blake, Bernard Butler, James Grant, Monica Queen, Kathryn Joseph, Karine Polwart, Blue Rose Code (pictured, from Celtic Connections 2018), Sharon Shannon, Julie Fowlis, Iona Fyfe, Rachel Newton, Bruce MacGregor, Ross Couper, Karen Matheson, Dean Owens, Esther Swift, Adam Holmes, Jill Jackson, Hannah Rarity, Adam Sutherland, Manran, Talisk, Rura, Sian, Heisk, Gnoss, Old Blind Dogs, The Tinderbox Orchestra, Moxie, The Chair and the Kinnaris Quintet will all be going ahead.

Fully-attended shows will be able to take place from Monday at the Royal Concert Hall, The Hug and Pint, King Tut’s, the Old Fruitmarket, the Mackintosh Church, the Tramway, Saint Luke’s, and The Glad Cafe.

However, as it falls just before Monday’s lifting of restrictions, the opening weekend will be limited to recordings of online concerts at the Royal Concert Hall with just 200 ticket-holders in attendance.

More at www.celticconnections.com.