Roddy Hart on Glasgow’s Music Scene and Celtic Connections

A male singer passionately performing on stage with a microphone under dramatic stage lighting.

Roddy Hart is one of Scotland's finest music talents, and a regular at Celtic Connections. Roddy answers our questions on why Glasgow is a top city for music lovers.

1. Tell us why Celtic Connections is the best music festival in the world?

It’s a vibrant and exciting festival - with years of history behind it - which now has a real eclecticism and diversity at the heart of it. It brings some much-needed light to each dark and cold January, and features some of the best musicianship the world has to offer.

A Celtic folk band performing on stage with various instruments under bright stage lights, with "Celtic Connections" displayed in the background. — Celtic Connections, credit: Kris Kesiak

2. What makes going to a gig in Glasgow so special?

The atmosphere! When an artist or band is in sync with a Glasgow audience, there’s nothing like it. Great performances deserve a great audience, and when both happen to come together at the same time on the same day in Glasgow, the whole place is lifted to a higher level.

A cheering concert audience with hands raised, silhouetted against purple and white stage lights. — Celtic Connections audience, credit: Kris Kesiak

3. Tell us about a music moment that sums up your experience of the city?

I saw Pixies play at the Kelvingrove Bandstand in 2022 with my girlfriend. After a few years of barely any live music happening because of the pandemic, it felt like a beautiful communal moment that celebrated music in all its raw glory. Perfect setting, perfect company, perfect band. Magical.

An empty outdoor amphitheatre with a small stage and tiered seating surrounded by green trees on a sunny day. — Kelvingrove Bandstand

4. Why do so many talented musicians come out of Glasgow?

There is something in the theory that the inclement weather can inspire creativity! Being forced to stay inside can bring some unexpected benefits, such as learning an instrument, finding your voice, and writing a song or two. Those songs usually end up being the perfect mix of grounded realism and hopeful dreaming. See: Paul Buchanan, Scott Hutchison and Karine Polwart.

5. What's your favourite Glasgow venue?

It’s undoubtedly cooler to say the Barrowland Ballroom (which I love), but the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (GRCH) in the heart of the city has been the source of many magical nights for me. From a formative experience seeing Jackson Browne solo acoustic with my dad at the age of 16, through to more unexpected venue bookings such as Mogwai (amazing, obviously). The sound and the feeling in the room on a sold-out night are exceptional.

As a younger musician, I was very lucky to play it as support to Kris Kristofferson a number of times, which was an experience I’ll forever treasure, and I’m delighted to regularly play our "Roaming Roots Revue” there for Celtic Connections.