Celtic Connections and is an integral and vibrant part of cultural life in Glasgow, with the economic impact on the city reaching £5.8 million in 2007. The festival actively promotes artistic links and cultural exchange across countries, reinforced by Showcase Scotland which brought 200 music industry delegates from 35 different countries to Scotland looking to book Scottish bands for festivals abroad in 2008. The 2008 festival opened with the Common Ground concert where many of the artists taking part in the event performed together. Donald Shaw, artistic director of the festival, spoke about the future of Celtic Connections as well as the
Damnation Festival announcing that the band would not appear at the festival. The sixth annual Damnation Festival was held on 6 November 2010 at University of Leeds, Leeds, England. Again the festival covered three stages. The Dillinger Escape Plan and Paradise Lost co-headlined the Jägermeister Stage, whilst Discharge headlined the Terrorizer stage and Alcest the Rock Sound Stage. Early bird ticket prices were £19 and full price tickets £27. The seventh annual Damnation Festival was held on 5 November 2011 at University of Leeds, Leeds, England. Again the festival covered three stages, with headliners Devin Townsend Project, Ulver and God is an