About this Event

“Intense, poetical and oft dark yet recounted through pleasing melodies. A rich tapestry has been woven into the songs; like a thoughtful unpicking and re-stitching of life’s journey.”

- R2 Magazine



One of the world’s best melodeon players and critically acclaimed singer songwriter, Luke Daniels is touring an all-new ‘coin operated’ show combining his outstanding musicianship as a songwriter, guitarist, pianist and melodeon virtuoso with an authentic Polyphon machine c1880. With PRS for Music Foundation, Daniels has developed a computer programme that can create coordinates for his own music on the mechanical music machine via it’s 19” steel discs. Music as visually awe-inspiring as it is sonically entertaining syncs digital time code with 120 year-old clockwork mechanisms to explores British folk music via it’s own circular patterns that have moved us forward whilst also returning a regular source point.



Luke’s signature style and elegant song-writing has graced stage and studio in the company of Mark Radcliffe, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Chris Wood, Lau, Cara Dillon, Jon Boden of Bellowhead and as a member of the internationally renowned Riverdance Band.



Originally from a musical family in London and a former BBC Young Tradition Award winner, Luke’s influences include English folk singers such as Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Richard Thompson; Scottish singers Dick Gaughan and John Martin; and Irishmen Paul Brady and Rory Gallagher.



Luke has been playing professionally since the age of 17 during which time he’s created an impressive and varied canon of work, including solo projects and albums within and outside the folk music world. Collaborating and performing alongside musicians such as fellow melodeon star Andy Cutting, composer Howard Shore as a soloist on The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit soundtracks recorded at Abbey Road, bassist Alec Dankworth and Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale. Luke has performed to sold out audiences nationally and internationally as well as appearing on many TV and radio programs, including Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Folk Show, Radio 3’s In Tune RTE’s Bosca Ceol and The Grand Ole Opry in the US. Now based in Glasgow Luke is a Celtic Connections regular and frequent guest in Cara Dillon’s band.



In recent years, Luke has focused primarily on his song writing based on ideas ranging from modern day progressives to Scottish Enlightenment theories. His desire to explore the role that folk music plays in strengthening our sense of community has inspired a new album due out Feb 2016, "Revolve and Rotate" has been described as "technologically and musically different to anything the folk scene has seen, showcasing a talent for song writing that is rare and exquisite."