A tribute to the Beatles, a takeover of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and a special gig by film composer AR Rahman are among the shows unveiled for next year's Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow.

The 34th edition of the folk, roots and world music event will run from 14 January until 31 January and open with a special concert by Scotland's GRIT Orchestra, playing orchestral arrangements of some of well-known folk songs.

Musicians from over 20 countries will perform while a new membership scheme will offer reduced tickets to people under 26.

Last year's festival saw about 114,000 people attend shows across the city.

The opening concert will be held at the Royal Concert Hall and features the GRIT Orchestra, which was originally assembled over a decade ago to pay tribute to the late folk musician Martyn Bennett.

It will play new arrangements of both ancient and contemporary folk tunes to launch the 2027 festival.

Slumdog Millionaire composer Rahman will perform at the Glasgow International Arena - formerly known as the Emirates Arena - in collaboration with British talents Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa.

It will be the first time the show, which bridges the gap between Western and Indian classical music, is performed in the UK outside of London.

Festival mainstay the Roaming Roots Revue will have a Beatles theme this year, with guests to be announced performing tracks from the band's back catalogue, backed by an orchestra and live band.

Other gigs include Heartbeats singer José González, folk-rock band the Saw Doctors, Pogues collaborator Iona Zajac, and Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon, who will be joined by Sir Bob Geldof.

Tribute shows to Joni Mitchell, Glasgow folk singer Matt McGinn, and British folk-rock singer Sandy Denny will also feature.

Scottish folk singer Karine Polwart will host two nights of shows called Curiosity Cabinet at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, with songs and melodies based around some of the objects.

The Tall Ship Glenlee will also be used as a venue for the first time.

Festival director Donald Shaw told BBC Scotland News it was important the event tried to offer affordable tickets, despite rising costs.

"I think everyone is in the same boat in terms of challenges with logistical costs, production costs, and travel costs. We have to balance having a sensible budget with keeping an ambitious programme.

"We want to include as many people as possible and what we are trying to do is put any funding we get for Celtic Connections into keeping ticket prices at a reasonable level and offer discounts for a younger generation."

The festival director, who has been in post for over 20 years, said he believes the festival's eclectic approach has helped it reach more diverse audiences in recent years.

"Over the last decade there has been such a natural evolution of folk music, and we have seen crossover with orchestral music, jazz, electronica and world music.

"It has meant Celtic Connections is more colourful than ever. The scene itself is wider now, and I think the availability of music digitally and through social media has meant trad music and folk itself is even more widespread.

"It's a great thing and there is a sense of confidence within the music scene in Scotland now."

Among the acts booked are Beoga, the Irish folk band who recently quit Ed Sheeran's tour in support of support act Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour over pro-Palestine comments.

Shaw said folk music has always had political elements to it.

"We are always keen to let the artist have their voice and have their say. That's been the backbone of folk music culture for 50 or 60 years at least."

Tickets for the festival go on sale this Thursday.