Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn will be the Headline Partner for Celtic Connections for the next five years, starting with the festival’s run at the start of 2025.
This famed international celebration of Celtic music is scheduled to illuminate stages across Glasgow from Thursday 16 January to Sunday 2 February.
Innis & Gunn announced the partnership at their Ashton Lane Taproom, supported by Celtic Connections creative producer Donald Shaw, and Astro Bloc, an up-and-coming folk band frim Scotland’s vibrant trad music scene, who will be performing at the 2025 festival.
Innis & Gunn has built a reputation for supporting Scottish music and culture, working with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Royal Highland Show, Belladrum and the Edinburgh Fringe.
The new partnership with Celtic Connections will be ‘driven by the desire to look at new innovations and opportunities’ to make that experience even better for audiences and performers.
Now in its 32nd year, Celtic Connections always features a kaleidoscope of internationally renowned music, filling around 25 venues with 300 events across 18 days, anticipating around 110,000 visitors and an estimated 1200 musicians and artists.
Donald Shaw said: “It’s hard to imagine a better fit as a partner for Celtic Connections than Innis & Gunn.
“Both were established in this country and the festival and brewer have a uniquely Scottish identity that is appreciated much further afield. Most importantly, we each share the same passion to enhance the festival experience for music fans and for innovation, originality and connection.
“Innis & Gunn will allow Celtic Connections to continue bringing local musicians and emerging artists to Glasgow and I hope will give us an opportunity to bring some concerts and performers to places Celtic Connections hasn’t been before,” said Shaw.
“We’re incredibly excited to be toasting this lasting partnership with a fellow Scottish household name.”
Master brewer and founder of Innis & Gunn, Dougal Sharp, said: “We kicked off our Edinburgh Festival takeover at The Mound this year with a performance by Scottish Supergroup Mànran and their performance inspired me.
“It was a total lightbulb moment. The crowd was absolutely buzzing, passers by stopped to watch their set and the energy around our venue was incredible.
“In that moment the penny dropped for me that modern Trad music is really gaining momentum. After getting more into the scene it’s clear that the Celtic music scene in Scotland is at a tipping point, with more people here and around the world embracing its raw energy and infectious melodies.
“We are thrilled now to be part of that. The music just makes you feel something — it connects with your soul, whether or not you know the song, the words, or the band,” said Sharp.
“We’ve long admired Celtic Connections; the music, the artists, and the incredible buzz represent the very best of Scotland. That’s why Innis & Gunn is so proud to be Headline Partner for the coming five years.
“Our music, our characterful people, stunning landscapes, inventive history, and world-famous drinks industry all combine to create a culture that gives Scotland its unique place on the world stage.
“Like Celtic Connections, Innis & Gunn could only have come from here; a reflection of everything that makes Scotland what it is today, Brewed by Scotland, for the world.”
The 2025 Celtic Connections programme will see the launch of a new under-26s pass, giving young music fans an opportunity to access rolling discounts on a mix of shows and ensuring the magic of the festival continues to be accessible to as wide a range of audiences as possible.
Venues involved include The Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Emirates Arena.
Celtic Connections is delivered with funding from Glasgow City Council through Glasgow Life. Creative Scotland and The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund continue to provide support to Celtic Connections.
