Scottish band The Bluebells will play the Barrowlands Ballroom for the first time in their career as part of the Celtic Connections Festival.
It’s also the much-loved indie pop group’s first outing at the festival, with the group’s founder Bobby Bluebell – real name Robert Hodgens - admitting he was ‘excited’ and it would be a ‘thrill’ to play at the event.
The band are best known for their hit Young at Heart, and the Barrowlands event will take place on Saturday, February 1.
They will be joined by special guest The New Leaves, who are a four-piece band from Northern Ireland.
Announcing the gig, Mr Hodgens tweeted: “Excited to announce this … after 40 years we get to play the iconic Barrowlands. What a thrill and what a bonus to be part of the wonderful Celtic Connections festival and Glasgow850.”
The gig is part of the Celtic Connections Festival, which announced its programme earlier today, which will be held from January 16 to February 2 across Glasgow.
Lyle Lovett will headline the festival while others such as KT Tunstall and Malinky will also perform.
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Speaking about the event, the festival’s creative producer Donald Shaw said: “We are incredibly proud of Celtic Connections’ place as an ecosystem for new music and art. In 2025 we are bringing together international icons with emerging acts to create career-defining performances and never-seen-before collaborations, not to mention great nights out for our audiences.
“Celtic Connections went from being primarily a Glasgow festival, to a national festival, to an international flagship event. Like many acts on our line up, we have expanded in size and ambition over the years, drawing inspiration from the old tradition and the boundless possibilities of contemporary music.
“Through it all, Glasgow remains at our heart, so to open the festival in celebration of our city’s artistic clout is incredibly special. Audiences can expect a night of secret surprises that we hope will bring a real sense of magic and anticipation to the first night of the festival, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.
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