Transatlantic Sessions is set to return in early 2026, bringing its celebrated blend of Celtic and Americana music back to stages across the UK. Born from the award-winning television series and long established as a centrepiece of Celtic Connections, the project continues to unite world-class musicians from Scotland, Ireland and the United States in a uniquely collaborative setting that has often been described as the ultimate back-porch session.
The 2026 edition features an exceptional line-up of guest vocalists, led by Grammy-winning country, bluegrass and folk icon Kathy Mattea, widely praised as one of Nashville’s finest song interpreters. She is joined by Darrell Scott, one of Americana’s most respected multi-instrumentalists and songwriters and a recent Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the 2025 Americana Music Association Awards. Scotland’s Karine Polwart also returns to the fold, continuing her acclaimed creative run that includes Looking for the Thread, her 2025 collaborative album with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Julie Fowlis, alongside ambitious participatory choir projects and environmentally focused works. Completing the featured vocalists is Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, the multi-award-winning Irish singer from West Kerry whose distinctive, spellbinding voice has earned praise across traditional and contemporary circles.
At the heart of Transatlantic Sessions is its renowned house band, once again guided by musical directors Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas. The ensemble brings together an extraordinary group of Celtic and Americana musicians, including John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, Tatiana Hargreaves, Allison de Groot, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh, and Daniel Kimbro. Together, they create a rich, spontaneous musical conversation that blends original material with timeless traditional songs, highlighting the deep connections between these transatlantic traditions.
The 2026 tour will take place across nine dates, beginning in Glasgow before travelling through major UK cities:
31 January – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
1 February – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
2 February – Edinburgh, Usher Hall
3 February – Manchester, Aviva Studios
4 February – Gateshead, The Glasshouse
5 February – Birmingham, Symphony Hall
6 February – London, Royal Festival Hall
7 February – Brighton, Dome
8 February – Oxford, New Theatre
Celebrated for its musical chemistry and sense of shared discovery, Transatlantic Sessions continues to be praised for the synchronicity, warmth and virtuosity of its performers. The 2026 return promises another unforgettable run of shows that honour tradition while forging new musical paths across the Atlantic.
