Songs of Struggle heads for successful night

The star-studded line-up of the Songs of Struggle concert taking place at Celtic Connections has meant the concert has now completely sold out! Those lucky people who have tickets are sure of a superb set, tonight (29 January) at the Mitchell Theatre.

Fraser Speirs blows up a storm at the
UCS Anniversary concert

Sheena Wellington

The hugely experienced and talented musician, Rab Noakes and harmonica virtuoso Fraser Speirs have added their names to a setlist that already boasts political and folk must-haves Sheena Wellington and Arthur Johnstone, folk legend Alastair McDonald and rock/blues performer Dave Anderson. New talent is also featured with singer Siobhan Miller and guitarist Stephen Wright.

Rab Noakes said

“I am delighted to have been invited to take part in this concert. It's important to keep these vital songs alive and to add new material to the repertoire. And it is good to be back playing with some of the key exponents of political song in Scotland.”

Arthur Johnstone is having a busy Celtic Connections. In addition  to the Tony Benn event and Songs of Struggle, he also featured in the Red Clydeside concert on the 25 January in which the songs of the late singer-songwriter and campaigner Alistair Hulett, especially his suite of songs featured on his 2002 Red Clydeside album with Dave Swarbrick, were performed by Arthur, rising star Ewan McLennan, and other special guests including singer-songwriter Karine Polwart and Gavin Livingstone. The great political song doyen Roy Bailey finished off the night.

Arthur Johnstone

Arthur Johnstone said 

“Jimmy Reid said during the UCS work-in that folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people. It is good that Celtic Connections is keeping that link prominent in the festival.”

Songs of Struggle continues what is fast becoming a tradition since the UCS Work-In 40 Anniversary concert in 2011, showcasing working and protest songs with a movable line-up of artists. It is part of the 'red thread' running through this year's Celtic Connections.

Put together by FairPley – a small company who organise events for the labour and non-profit-making sector – it follows Jimmy Reid's observation - folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people.

Tickets are available via the Celtic Connections website –http://www.celticconnections.com/Events/Pages/Event.aspx?ev=497&ty=Song