I am delighted to announce the 6 finalists in this years Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections
Liz Clark – Producer and Presenter of the DKOS
Had 71 Acts on Stage – consisting of 200 + artists
Who came from:- Aberdeen Airdrie Aberdeen/ Argentina / Ayr / Balquidder / Barrow – In Furnace/ Berlin / Bishopbriggs / Bishopton/ Borders / Brighton / Buckie / Canada / Cumnock / Devon / Dumfriese / Edinburgh / England/ Fife / Gairloch / Glasgow / Gourock / Greenock / Insch / Isle of Lewis / Ireland /Kilmarnock / Kilwinning / Liverpool / Manchester / Motherwell / Newcastle / Orkney / Paisley / Rutherglen / Wales!
All of them winners!
Out of all the winners we have the 6 finalists who will showcase their set and all return next year for a support slot at Celtic Connections 2018
Here is your showcase artists of 2017
An Dha – Brighton – Listen again to performance on 4 Feb 2017
Jaya Hanley / Sarah James
“Experience the fire of Scottish Traditional music, the delicacy of classical perfection and the spirit of jazz and the life of the city from Urban Folk Duo An Dh, And Dha means ‘The Two’ in Gaelic, two musicians , a Violin and a Cello, on a journey exploring life and music together.
An Dha are a Fiddle and Cello duo writing and performing folk music that combines styles and genres to explore the boundaries of contemporary fok music. They formed in 2013 at Trinity Laban Conservatoire after Violinist Jaya Hanley and Cellist Sara James visited the Isle of Skye and were entranced by the beauty and music of the island. In 2016 they won the London Fiddle Convention Competition, various awards in the St Albans Folk Completion’s and were finalists I the Bath Folk Competition” .
Avocet – Glasgow – Listen again to first performance on 1 Feb 2017
Sam Grassie / Herbie Loaning/ Iona Zajac
“Having met through the traditional music scene in Edinburgh and Glasgow at a young age, samaniona decided to combine forces in making contemporary music with a traditional folky feel to it yet also influenced by blues and world music. Sam’s finger picking guitar style reminds one of the likes of Bert Jansch
Joining him are Herbie on double bass, and Iona, whose distinctive vocals are best described as soothing and haunting at the same time”#
DopeSickFly – Glasgow Listen again to first performance on 27 Jan 2017
Ant /Wendy/Chris / Joe / Calum
Founded in the summer 2015 in Glasgow Scotland having busked the streets of Glasgow, the band evolved there sound into a Soul, Rock, Poetic, Acid Jazz fusion with just the right amount of Funk. With lead singer/poet Ant Thomaz soulful vocals, guitarist Chris Darling and his keen desire for funk, Drummer Calum macrae with his Jazz background, Joe Djaelani on bass elevating Neo Soul and bluesy backing vocalist Wendy Rae, DopeSickFly truly emanates a new refreshing alive sound. There’s a confidence and power to the band’s live set that at times can be mesmerising. The lyrically explosive, musically diverse, Funk Rock Hybrid known as Dopesickfly project an upbeat feel good vibe inviting everyone to join in with catchy hooks and to dance their hearts out. Dopesickfly are encouraging & sing of life, connecting to all ages of people; making music for people!
Marianne McGregor – Orkney/Glasgow Listen again to first performance on 24 Jan 2017
Growing up in Orkney Marianne was exposed to a rich environment of all things musical, creative and expressive. Although primarily a jazz singer, Marianne has taken influence from various other styles, incorporating a breathy folky twist into her voice. In the time since finishing her music degree in 2015, she has used songwriting as a soothing creative outlet for personal storytelling and expression, using smooth bluesy/folky vocal tone and her unique pallet of textures to communicate and engage with the listener. Although she is relatively new to the role of singer songwriter, Marianne hopes to continue writing and performing in this unique and quirky style.
The Magpies – Glasgow – Listen again to first performance on 25 Jan 2017
Lizzie King / Peter Keay / Doro Weber
The Magpies are an alternative folk pop trio who write and play together in Glasgow.Originating from acoustic duo
Reasons To Be Cheerful with Lizzie King (lead vocals, guitar) and Doro Weber (drums, percussion), the band welcomed the addition of Peter Keay (bass, backing vocals) in early 2016. The Magpies are a relatively young band, having started playing together in January 2016. Gigging widly since their forming also released their self-produced debut; ‘Wait for the Sunrise’, bringing the endorsement from radio plays UK Wide . The summer saw the band perform at some exciting festival gigs including L Fest in Uttoxeter and Manchester Pride. Their second EP, to be released early 2017.
WHɎTE – Glasgow/ Aberdeen – Listen again to their first performance on the 26 Jan 2017
Alasdair Whyte and Ross Whyte
Emerging Gaelic electronica duo released their debut album, Fairich as part of Sound Festival in Aberdeen on 21 October 2016. Each from very different musical backgrounds (ambient electronica and traditional Gaelic), their songs have drawn comparisons with Sigur Rós and Martyn Bennett. Following several successful live performances throughout Scotland and radio play on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Travelling Folk’, WHɎTE secured funding from Creative Scotland to record their debut release. Fairich was recorded in the late summer of 2016 at the University of Aberdeen and in a cave beneath Dunnottar Castle and features a selection of arrangements of rarely-heard 17th 8th century Gaelic songs as well as original compositions.
Once again well done to all the Finalists
Also to our media partners Celtic Music Radio for airing / recording/ advertising The Danny Kyle Open Stage 2017
See you at the place 5 pm tonight ! Liz
Here are the list of Highly Recommended artists who took part:-
Awry
Balter
Beth Malcolm
Carma
Eabhal
Eilidh Firth Trio
Elia Davidson
Ellie Ford
Eriska
Folky MacFolk Face
Footerin Aboot
Harry Harris
Iona Fyfe & Luc McNally
Kate Kyle
Noah
Roelle Blue
Southside Fiddlers
The Boys With The Lion Head
The Rowies
The Step Brothers Music
The Trials of Cato
Trip
Velvet & Stone
Yoko Pwno
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