Celtic Connections has announced its lineup for the 2011 event which runs from 13th – 30th January next year. Among the 300 events over 18 days and in 14 venues are Richard Thompson, Grant Lee Buffalo, Mavis Staples, Lau, Seth Lakeman, Raul Malo, Teddy Thompson, Jah Wobble, Ani DiFranco,and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

One theme of the festival is artists’ influences, with The Waterboys celebrating the work of W. B. Yeats, whilst Justin Townes Earle, Thea Gilmore, Justin Currie and more pay tribute to Bob Dylan in the year of his 70th birthday.

Collaborations will also be to the fore – Sharon Shannon’s Big Band will have guests including Imelda May, Shane MacGowan and Mundy. And, perhaps of interest to many readers round these parts, there’s a BMX Bandits 25th anniversary gig.

And, Love and Money will re-form for a one-off show.
More at www.celticconnections.com