Celtic Connections continues its longstanding commitment to Gaelic language and music, kicking off with the irrepressible RuMac. The explosive accordionist fuses traditional roots with rock anthems, including ‘Gaelic Choir’, a reworking of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring Of Fire’ (Friday 16 January).

Sian, featuring Eilidh Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Ellen MacDonald, fuse the song traditions of Skye, Uist and Lewis with contemporary arrangements. Celebrating the release of new album Araon, their performance includes an expanded band featuring the likes of Innes White on guitar, with strings from Megan Henderson, Patsy Reid and Charlie Stewart (Thursday 22 January).

Grimsay accordionist and composer Pàdruig Morrison unveils Buin, a suite of new songs performed by Kirsty MacInnes, Mischa MacPherson and Alasdair Whyte (Sunday 25 January). In a similar innovative vein, critically acclaimed BBC Radio nan Gàidheal podcast series, Òran Ùr, transfers a wealth of new songwriting to the festival stage. Curated by Gillebrìde MacMillan, among those performing are Ewen Henderson, Isobel Ann Martin, Kim Carnie and Rachel Walker (Saturday 24 January).

Walker brings the Gaelic offer to a shimmering climax in another show, Depositions, featuring the poetry of Anton Floyd translated into Gaelic, Irish and Scots, and set to music for the first time. These new commissions will be performed by Walker, longstanding collaborator Aaron Jones, as well as Emily Smith, Tawana Maramba, Ukraine’s Elzara Batalova and Hothouse Flowers’ Liam Ó Maonlaí (Saturday 31 January).

Celtic Connections, various venues, Glasgow, Thursday 15 January–Sunday 1 February; main picture: Gordon Doherty Laura Shirra.