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DANNY KYLE FINALIST ANNOUNCED

Written by on 31/01/2016

 Danny-on-the-drums-140x140celtic conn banner

Liz Clark Producer, presenter and co-ordinator of the DKOS has announced tonights performers at the “sold out” Final of the 2016 Celtic Connections “Danny Kyle Open Stage”

After fifteen nights and seventy five performances tonight six performers take to the stage of the Exhibition Hall here at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall

And The Finalist Are…………………………………….. .

Bella and The Bear – Glasgow www.facebook.com/bellaandthebear
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 www.facebook.com/Quick2016
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 setAlex Haynes – Guitar / Emma Barr – Mandolin / Willem McKie – Vocals

Northern Company – Stocksfield –
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
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 www.Facebook.com/CharlyHoustonMusic
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 http://bellagaffney.weebly.com/
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

Well done to the six finalists and to everyone who took part !