A teenage guitarist who was the star of Hogmanay’s Hootenanny TV show with Jools Holland says she is looking forward to playing Celtic Connections.
Muireann Bradley, 17, who hails from County Donegal in Ireland, was the surprise stand-out performance on the television music spectacular.
Her country blues finger-picking style and beautiful soft vocals earned her praise across social media.
And a Glasgow audience will get the chance to see her live when she appears at the Mackintosh Church in Maryhill on January 27.
Playing
Then she will be sharing the bill with US blues guitarist Buffalo Nichols.
The write-up on the Celtic Connections website reads: “[Muireann] performs Country Blues & Ragtime Blues from the 1920s & 30s, also Folk, Roots and Americana.
“She grew up with her father listening to these old records and playing and singing the music himself.
“When she was nine years old she asked him to teach her to play and so her love of guitar began.
“During the covid lockdowns she decided to start posting videos on You Tube.”
Last month, the young guitarist released her debut album ‘I Kept These Old Blues’ on Tompkins Square Records.
She grew up with her father listening to these old records and playing and singing the music himself.
Celtic Connections
Her show in Glasgow will be one of her first appearances since her TV appearance on Hogmanay.
Writing on her Instagram page, Muireann said she was “super excited” to be supporting Buffalo Nichols for the Blues Night special.
And people writing on X, the social media platform that was formerly Twitter, said they were blown away by her talent.
One user wrote: "Performance of the night on #joolsholland was Muireann Bradley from Donegal! Brilliant.”
Another said: “Best thing for me on #hootenanny was Muireann Bradley. Breathtaking stuff.”
Watch Muireann's performance on Jools Holland's Hootenanny
And someone else posted: “Even when my New Years Eve head was finally cleared, I still recall vividly how amazing the young voice of 17-year-old Irish singer Muireann Bradley was on Jools Holland Hootenanny.
“She is such a talent and watch out for her in 2024.”
Artists who appeared on the Hootenanny show included British rock and pop legend, Rod Stewart, Joss Stone, Olivia Dean, Paul Jones, PP Arnold, Raye, Sugababes and The Mary Wallopers.
- You can read more about Muireann and Buffalo Nichols at the Celtic Connections website here.
