Celtic Connections has grown from a event which puts bums on seats during a quiet time in the Concert Hall's year, into a monster that swamps Glasgow folk.
No artist performing at Celtic Connections is allowed, by contract, to perform in the city or its environs for 3 months before or after the festival.
The local papers are encouraged not to to carry any listings of any folk events taking place during the festival, under threat of Celtic Connections withdrawing their advertising, and despite what Guest Pete suggests, unlike other folk festivals, this is not put together in the spare time of the organisers, the festival is very much part of the day job of the organisers.
None of what I say is ment to put down the major event that Celtic Connections is, however it only takes place for a few weeks each year, while the clubs and sessions which it scorns are there all year.
As Hamish Imlach once said "I love Celtic Connections", "Why Hamish, Do you get a lot of good gigs", "No they never book the likes of me, but I get to see all my pals"