Transatlantic Sessions
The roof-raising Transatlantic Sessions returns for 2025, exploring and celebrating the rich musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US.
An annual focal point of Celtic Connections, the exclusive line-up combines guest singers and the celebrated house band, inviting them to interweave original material with age-old tunes and songs as they explore shared roots and find new common ground.
For the past 54 years, Loudon Wainwright III has carved out a distinguished career as one of our most original singer-songwriters, releasing over thirty albums, winning a Grammy Award, acting in films and TV shows, and has had his songs recorded by artists including Johnny Cash, Mose Allison, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Bonnie Raitt, and his own son, Rufus Wainwright. In 2015 Wainwright won the Lifetime Achievement Award on BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Hailing from the Outer Hebrides and now based in the Highlands, Julie Fowlis (perhaps best known for her work with the Disney Pixar movie Brave) is widely heralded for championing traditional Gaelic. Her music is deeply influenced by the Hebridean islands where she grew up and by the Highland landscapes where she now resides.
Acclaimed Americana musicians Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams bring their songs and instrumental virtuosity to the Transatlantic Sessions stage, honed by years of touring (both together and separately) with a who’s-who of American music: Bob Dylan, k.d. lang, Levon Helm, Sheryl Crow, John Prine, Keith Richards and Emmylou Harris to name a few.
Born on Clare Island, Co.Mayo, Niall McCabe grew up in the family-run pub awash with strong musical influences from traditional Irish songs and folk to rock and soul. Having earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singers and songwriters, he has performed extensively across Ireland, Europe and the USA.
The show’s seasoned house band, guided as ever by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic and Americana roots musicians John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, Tatiana Hargreaves & Allison de Groot, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh and Daniel Kimbro.
Need to know
An exclusive box package is available, which includes:
Hire of a private box (seats up to eight people).
One free drink per guest on arrival (prosecco, wine, beer or soft drink).
Dedicated host to take drinks orders throughout the event.
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.