Every year at Celtic Connections the cream of new musical talent perform at Danny Kyle’s Open Stage. A diverse panel of judges – from industry stalwarts to members of the general public – then have the unenviable task of picking just six winners from the eighty acts who took part. This year's winners were Lucy Pringle & Chris Wright, Tyskie, Craig Jeffrey, The Magic Lantern Show and the Anarkali Folk Band.
Lucy Pringle and Chris Wright (pictured) met through friends at various sessions. Lucy sang first with Scots singing quartet The Linties and is a regular attender of TMSA festivals throughout Scotland, winning the Muchty women’s singing in 2002. Chris is originally from Dundee and has recently worked with Mark Dunlop’s (Malinky) new album and Dr Fred Freeman’s projects on the songs of Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill.
Skalder, are Jennifer Austin (Piano) and Louise Bichan (Fiddle) originally from Orkney, formed the ceilidh band Skalder in 2006 with Finlay Bichan (accordion and bass) and Kevin Gray (drums). Now both girls are studying in Glasgow they play together as a duo, recently winning the open stage at the Orkney Folk Festival, and supporting Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham on their return to Orkney.
Anarkali Folk Band is a Glaswegian folk band consisting of two fiddles, button box, flute and guitar. The band met through the Glasgow music session scene and work to combine and unite both traditional Scottish and Irish tunes, using subtle arrangements with some sets including their own compositions giving them a fresh individual sound.
Tyskie met and began playing through the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Their exciting experimental approach to their music focuses on fusing together traditional and contemporary Scottish music with twisted harmonies and driving rhythms.
Craig Jeffrey is a 23 year old singer songwriter from the Scottish Borders. He released his first single “Hard to Say” in September of 2008, and has recently released his debut album “Don’t Blow Away”.
The Magic Lantern Show are a Glasgow based 6 piece band, playing strong, melodic folk-pop material with celtic roots and a political edge. Consisting of members from Scotland, Ireland and Poland, the Magic Lantern Show draw heavily upon each individual musician’s influences, adding them to the songwriting skills of Kenny Thoms (keyboard) and John O’Toole (vocals/guitar), the main creative catalysis of the group.
Danny Kyle was the most passionate supporter of traditional music and constant campaigner for its revival in Scotland who passed away in 1998. The Open Stage has been an integral part of the festival for the last eleven years. Each night, new musical talent is given the chance to shine under the Celtic Connections spotlight and the six best acts win through to the coveted final night concert that is often attended by agents and promoters keen to spot bright new talent. Compered by Danny’s close friends, Gibb Todd and Liz Clark, it has been the launch pad for many now familiar names such as Adam Sutherland, TNT, Dochas, Malinky and GiveWay.
