Return of Montrose winter musical tradition

The Hackles, from Oregon, will be the first to make the trip to Montrose after their appearance at Celtic Connections.

After Covid interruptions in 2021 and 2022, Acoustic Music at Montrose Playhouse is delighted to offer to audiences and music lovers locally, and from across Angus, the resumption of the previous tradition in January/February of each year of ‘Celtic Connections almost by your own Fireside’.

Celtic Connections is the famous festival of all types of roots and acoustic music, held in Glasgow each January, which for the last 30 years has brightened the midwinter musical world.

Up until 2020, it had been the tradition at Montrose Folk Club to present for Angus audiences each January at least one act from outwith Scotland, who were playing that year at Celtic Connections.

Will Varley will appear at Montrose Playhouse on February 6.

With roots and acoustic music having found a new home in Angus at the Montrose Playhouse, the club is happy to announce forthcoming dates for not one but two acts direct from having played at Celtic Connections.

These will be Oregon band The Hackles, on Tuesday, January 24, followed by the exceptional English singer songwriter Will Varley, who will appear on February 6, on what will be a one-off Monday evening date for music at Montrose Playhouse.

The Hackles are now a major force on the Americana/Indie Folk circuit, on account of their sumptuous vocal harmonies, great songwriting skills and guitar, fiddle and banjo accompaniments.

RnR Magazine described the second Album of the trio as “magnificent”.

Singer Songwriter Will Varley, originally from Kent, is an outstanding live performer, whose songs marry vivid imagery, politics, emotion and surrealism.

Effortlessly evoking the spirit of Dylan and Springsteen, his albums have reached number two in the iTunes Singer Songwriter charts in the UK and have also made it into the Top 30 in the USA.

Admission for each “Celtic Connections almost by your own Fireside” Concert will be £12, with the doors at Montrose Playhouse opening at 7.30pm and the music starting at 8pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the door on the night or reserved in advance by emailing [email protected]. Further details about the club can be found at montrosefolkclub.co.uk.