THE new Hydro arena will host two centre-piece concerts for next year's Celtic Connections.

Del Amitri will play their first gig in more than a decade there on January 24, as part of the 18-day festival.

Artistic director Donald Shaw said: "It's exciting to be show-casing the festival at the new SSE Hydro with an International Burns night celebration and Glasgow's own Del Amitri.

"The expansion into this world-class venue demonstrates the ever increasing stature of the festival and firmly cements its place as one of the world's top music festivals."

The International Burns night celebration will take place on January 25.

As we revealed yester-day, the composer of the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack AR Rahman and classical star Nicola Benedetti are just two of the big names who will appear at the festival.

It kicks off on January 16, with an opening show headlined by Benedetti and friends, including Aly Bain and Julie Fowlis.

Scottish rockers Mogwai will perform at the Royal Concert Hall on January 28 and world music star Manu Dibango will play the Old Fruitmarket on January 26.

Folk group Capercaillie will take part in an anniversary concert at the Royal Concert Hall on January 18.

While the Common-wealth Games will provide one theme for the festival, another will focus on the count-down to the independ-ence referendum.

The festival will acknowledge the debate on independence with a series of talks.

Mr Shaw added: "With the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games just around the corner we thought next year's Celtic Connections would be the ideal stage to explore Scotland's cultural connections with other Common-wealth countries.

"Next year's line-up will be the biggest celebration yet of the tunes and songs that connect Scotland's musical legacy to the rest of the world.

Other big names appearing include US singing legend Bobby Womack, Beth Nielsen Chapman, The Stray Birds and The Mae Trio.

The Danny Kyle Open Stage will be present at the Concert Hall throughout the festival, offering a chance to spot tomorrow's stars.

Councillor Archie Graham, chairman of Glasgow Life, said: "The Celtic Connections festival will come of age in 2014 with the biggest and best line up yet.

"The festival has firmly placed Glasgow on the world music map and become a leading light in Scotland's cultural calendar.

"The festival attracts visitors from all over the world and therefore contributes to a hugely positive cultural and economic impact for Glasgow and the rest of the country.

"Celtic Connections continues to enhance the city's reputation as a tourist destination."

For details, visit www.celticconnections.com

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk