Shetland-Music.com

Over and above Shetland's more established acts taking part in the main body of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival (see seperate story on this website), the islands were also well represented on the festivals acclaimed Danny Kyle Open Stage.

Vocalist Erin Sandison from Scalloway (accompanied by guitarist Brian Nicolson) fiddle group 'Shaela' ( Lyn Anderson - fiddle, Alison Laurenson - fiddle, Emma Davis - fiddle, Ross Couper - guitar and Marianne Couper - keyboards), Lerwick singer / songwriter Jordan Ogg and young fiddle supremo Maggie Adamson (again accompanied by Brian Nicolson) all made the 'cut' to gain hard-to-come-by spots on this years open stage.

All of them performed to exceptionally high standards, not only doing themselves proud but also making a very positive impact on the large early evening crowds, often well in excess of 200 people, that regularly congregate for the Open Stage performances.

The Danny Kyle Open Stage is named after the late Scottish singer / songwriter / entertainer Danny Kyle who initially thought up the idea and hosted and ran the stage at the festival for many years.

The Open Stage seeks to give performing opportunities at the festival to new talent from around the world and runs every evening throughout all three weeks of the festival - with four acts per evening taking part.

In addition to being an entertaiment element of the festival in its own right, the Open Stage is also a competition with those taking part being judged for, among other things, technical ability, stage presence and audience rapport.

Annually six acts are chosen to received 'Danny Awards' with the winners going on to make a number of appearances on the main festival programme the following year.

Although none of this years Shetland acts picked up a coveted 'Danny Award' (Shetland's only winner to date was vocalist Jillian Isbister in 2005) they all gained a great deal from the expereince and hugely impressed the audiences and judges alike.

In addition to their appearance on the Open Stage, 'Shaela' also performed live at a Highlands and Islands reception held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to welcome visiting international delegates to Celtic Connections 'Showcase Scotland' event - the festivals music industry showcase, now an annual five day integral part of the larger festival.