The gig featuring Sheena Wellington, Eddi Reader, Julie Fowlis, Capercaillie, Phil Cunningham, the Scottish Power Pipe Band and a special ensemble helmed by Greg Lawson will open this year's festival at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Other acts appearing at the festival – which will feature 300 concerts across the city from today until February 3 – include Dougie MacLean, Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Old Crow Medicine Show, Nic Jones, Salif Keita, Kate Rusby, Carlos Nunez, Aimee Mann and the Radio 2 Folk Awards, which will be broadcast live.

The festival will stage a tribute concert to Scottish folk legend Michael Marra, who died last October.