It’s so good to be back and tonight we’ll celebrate, kicking off the 26th Celtic Colours International Festival in style with some very special guests. We’ll welcome everybody back with two Cape Breton favourites and two acts with connections to Cape Breton and the Festival. Cape Breton’s world-renowned coal miners chorus, The Men of the Deeps, are more than a singing group, over 50 years they have become a social institution. They will be releasing a new album and going on tour following their performance this year. They’ll be joined by The Barra MacNeils, one of Cape Breton’s longest-running, and best-loved, traditional groups. Award-winning guitarist, singer-songwriter, and prolific collaborator Kris Drever has performed in the Festival with Fine Friday, Phil Cunningham, and Lau. Tonight we get to hear him on his own. Scottish group Dàimh rounds out this rousing welcome back. Featuring Cape Breton native Angus MacKenzie on pipes, award-winning Scottish group Dàimh will keep the energy level high with their electrifying musical interplay between band members and their deep respect for the music of the western Highlands.