This concert, inspired by Glasgow’s Red Clydeside tradition of firebrand activism, was one of those massed celebrations at which Celtic Connections excels. This show hung its (trilby) hat on the centenary of the death of socialist leader John Maclean; with its content curated by his biographer Henry Bell and singer Siobhan Miller, songs included those by Scottish folk legends Hamish Henderson, Matt McGinn and Mary Brooksbank with artists such as Billy Bragg and Eddi Reader queuing up to pay tribute.

Karine Polwart looked back to Maclean’s inspiration with a Sydney Carter song about Peasants’ Revolt leader John Ball, while Kapil Seshasayee nodded to his Clydebank home with a track commissioned for the occasion. Actor Raymond Wilson brought the house down with a performance of Maclean’s speech from the dock, former Makar Jackie Kay channelled his spirit in her own touching ‘Shoes Of Dead Comrades’ and it was a treat to hear Maclean’s granddaughter Frances Wilson read the softer rhetoric of his letters home from prison.

Best of all, the elusive Dick Gaughan made his first stage appearance in a decade, roused and rousing as he accepted the delighted standing ovation, shared some typically candid socio-political observations and led a rendition of ‘The Red Flag’ to its original jig-like tune. Gaughan returned in the second half to join the ensemble for a pair of complementary socialist anthems, ‘The Internationale’ and Henderson’s ‘Freedom Come All Ye’, by which point no one in the assembly had failed to note the continuing relevance of Maclean’s message.

Red Clydeside reviewed at Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, as part of Celtic Connections.