The Finalists  of this years Danny Kyle Open Stage broadcast live by Celtic Music Radio 5-7 pm and on Catch Up

Hosted by Celtic Connections in the Exhibition Hall at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Thank you to all who applied and who performed on the stage! It is your stage! keep on giging!

 

Bella and The Bear – Glasgow  – Listen Again 
Bella and the Bear craft fairy tales through a fusion of folk storytelling and elements of spoken word. Percussive and rhythmic guitar, intricate harmonies and compelling lyrics combine to create a captivating sound that can hold an audience silent. In their first year together, the band have won Best Newcomer at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards, have been named Best New Act by Calmac Culture, played across the country, released two EPs and produced their own short film. Their live show is continuing to develop and span across different art forms as they bring their music to life through animation and visual art. Stuart Ramage & Lauren Gilmour

Quick – Ayrshire    Listen Again 
QUICK’ are a new up and coming folk band drawing inspiration from traditional blugrass music to modernised alternative folk. The folk band diversifies their music with progressive, technical and intricate concepts played through a traditional acoustic instrumentation alongside a heartbeat of honest, pure and original lyrics. Looking to 2016 with an ever growing repertoire of original music and a strong live set!
Alex Haynes – Guitar / Emma Barr – Mandolin / Willem McKie – Vocals

 

Northern Company  – Stocksfield   Listen Again  – original performance !
Northern Company are a young and fresh six piece folk ensemble from the north of England who play traditional and contemporary folk music from the British isles and beyond. They all met the Folkworks youth summer school and last year, finally made the decision to begin playing as a band! They arrange tunes into exciting sets that show off  different styles and allow room for individual personalities to be heard.
Sam Mabbett – melodeon / Charlotte Kennedy – fiddle/ James Taylor – Guitar / Michael Biggins – piano / Jacob Bradley 

Ross Miller & Charlie Stewart – Glasgow     Listen Again 
This exciting new pipe and fiddle duo create a dynamic blend of traditional tunes and songs. Ross and Charlie produce is based around tight tune playing, variations, interweaving harmonies and rhythmic ideas.  Ross is an established competition piper and Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. He is studying pipes, Scots song and whistles at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and playing regularly in the newly formed ‘Foot Stompin’ Ceilidh Band’. Charlie is also a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland studying fiddle and double bass. Other bands he performs with include ‘Dosca’, ‘Levack Stewart Irving’ and ‘Sketch’.

 Charly Houston – Glasgow      Listen Again 
With a soulful voice and lyrics far beyond her years, Glaswegian Singer Songwriter Charly Houston will have you mesmerized during her live performances. Mixing a blend of traditional folk with modern lyricism, Houston has an onstage presence that screams hard work and professionalism, merging stand-up comedy with heart wrenching and sometimes comedic lyricism, she isn’t one to miss. “One of the best musicians I’ve seen perform at the Fringe this year” – English Lady, Edinburgh Fringe 2015.Over the past 8 years, Charly has worked tirelessly to build up a reputation within the Glasgow music scene, performing in King Tuts  and has supported artists  such as Astronautalis, Mick Hargan, Sinderins (AMWWF), Ren Harvieu, The Diagrams, Hannah Trigwell, Ben Montague and Leddra Chapman. Inspired by the Scottish folk scene, Charly is a huge fan of master guitarist – John Martyn as well as Karine Polwart and Eddi Reader.

 

Bella Gaffney – Bradford    Listen Again 

Bella Gaffney is a young singer songwriter who first started playing folk music at the Topic Folk Club in Bradford. She has gone on to write her own songs as well as arrangements of traditional tracks and is giging around the smaller festival in England and support slots for established artists

 

Highly Recommended :-

Amy Papiransk
Davy Nicol
Dosca
Fae Wiedenhoeft
Faramach – Woodmill High School
Huradal
Laurence Made Me Cry
Les Vieux
Madam Tsunami
Marilla
Oxtered to The Bothy
Routes String Quartet
Speldosa
The Meadows
Wire & Wool
Woodwife Band

I would personally wish to thank everyone who applied and who went on the Danny Kyle Open stage this year!
Your music was even more stunning than in previous years! You are of course ALL winners “

With my other hat on! Keep in touch with Celtic Music Radio throughout the year let us know what you are up to / any up coming gigs/ music releases etc. We are here for YOU – we are your station – to promote your music – if we do not know you are there then we can do nothing – so get in touch !   – Remember a Danny is not just for Celtic!

If you require any information regarding The Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections contact
Liz Clark Producer , presenter and co-ordinator of  The DKOS at dkos.info@yahoo.com  
The Danny Kyle Open Stage is delighted to once again be media partners with Celtic Music Radio
Contact liz@celticmusicradio.net