What's On Scotland 13-20 Jan: Celtic Connections & more

Celtic Connections, Scotland’s blow-out celebration of folk, trad, and world music, returns for its 30th anniversary from 19 Jan-5 Feb, with over 300 intimate gigs, grand concerts and workshops taking place across Glasgow’s music venues.

The festival kicks off with an opening concert featuring an unbelievable lineup of the likes of Karine Polwart, Peat & Diesel, TRIP, and Rachel Sermanni. Highlights from the rest of the programme include Moroccan-French rock band Bab L’Bluz, indie folk darlings Charm of Finches, and Glasgow-based duo CLR Theory launching their debut album, as well as a foot-stomping great time from Glasgow-based neo-trad faves Talisk. Check out the full programme here and get your tickets quick!

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As an ever evolving city, it’s no surprise that as we dive into a new year, Edinburgh has a host of exciting openings to experience. From one-off restaurants, to state of the art attractions, and luxury hotel brands opening for the first time in Scotland, Edinburgh is the place to be in 2023. To discover what new in Edinburgh, visit Forever Edinburgh - the official guide to the city.

JOESEF
Church, Dundee. 15 Jan, 7pm
Glasgow-based pop rising star JOESEF has had a meteoric few years. Now with his debut album en route this month, he’s back on the road brimming with charm and infectious funk: find him at this intimate stop-off in Dundee in collaboration with Assai Records. Image: courtesy of artist. 

Big Joanie
Mono, Glasgow. 14 Jan, 8pm
Start the year off right with a little dose of anarchy. London-based punk rock group Big Joanie released their sophomore album Back Home just a couple of months ago to widespread acclaim, exploring ideas of Black feminism and political resistance. Image: Sam Feller.

William Littlejohn
RSA: Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. 14 Jan-12 Feb
A master at translating colour and light through watercolours, William Littlejohn was one of Scotland's most distinctive 21st-century artists. Having bequeathed his studio to the RSA after his death, this exhibition puts a spotlight on some of his lesser known works. Image: William Littlejohn.

The Greatest Films of All Time
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow. Until 24 Jan
The ballots have been counted and the results are in. Once a decade, Sight and Sound conducts a poll determining the 100 Greatest Films of All Time and this year. GFT is putting some of them on the big screen. Find Vertigo, Parasite, or Man With a Movie Camera near you. Image: Glasgow Film Theatre.

↪ Koyaanisqatsi
DCA, Dundee. 18 Jan, 6:30pm
In association with the V&A Dundee's ground-breaking exhibition Plastic: Remaking Our World, DCA are screening Godfrey Reggio’s experimental 1983 film Koyaanisqatsi, a stunning exploration of the relationship between the human and non-human. Image: DCA.

→ Chaos in the Cosmos: Chris Astrojazz
Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh. 16 Jan, 11pm
Playing Sneaky's first party of the year is Chris Astrojazz, a seminal DJ who has played everywhere from Glastonbury to Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda: expect jazz, disco and italo grooves with support from Chaos in the Cosmos.

→ Pop Mutations: Aquarian + Bake + DJ Amtrak
Stereo, Glasgow. 13 Jan, 11pm
A genre-bending night, this DJ line-up presented by Pop Mutations straddles the gaps between techno, electro and jungle, welcoming Aquarian, Canadian-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer, and his particular brand of cinematic, grandstand rave to Glasgow.