Danny Kyle Open Stage – 25th Anniversary
Written by celtic music radio on January 20, 2024
Celtic Connections is under way and one of the most enduring and popular features is the Danny Kyle Open Stage (DKOS) which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
A showcase gig tonight in the Royal Concert Hall gets this year’s ‘Danny’s’ under way and a full house is guaranteed. And tonight’s show – and each one through to the festival’s final day – will be broadcast live on Celtic Music Radio.
If you are keen to hear ‘tomorrow’s talent today’ then you won’t miss a note if you catch our broadcasts each and every evening from 5 to 7 pm, hosted by DKOS producer and presenter, Liz Clark.
A total of 75 acts from 286 entries have been chosen. They come from Scotland, the rest of the UK, Ireland, the USA and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, South America and the rest of Europe – all to play music for 20 minutes on an open stage.
More than 5,000 artists have graced the stage over the 25 years and 388 individuals hold a “Danny.”
Six acts are chosen to receive a “Danny” at a showcase on the last Sunday of the festival and many of them are given a support slot at the following year’s festival.
Liz Clark said: “Everyone who goes on stage is a winner and out of all the winners six acts are chosen to be awarded a ‘Danny,’ the OSCAR of the Scottish music scene.
“The DKOS is a major part of Celtic Connections and its popularity can be gauged by the queues for seats every day.”
