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 two stages, headlined by The Haunted and Akercocke. Tickets for the festival were priced at £15. The third annual Damnation Festival was held on 20 October 2007 and saw the festival move to a new venue at Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, England. There were eighteen bands over two stages, headlined by Kreator and Anaal Nathrakh. Tickets for the festival were priced at £22. The fourth annual Damnation Festival was held on 22 November 2008 and saw the festival move to another new venue at University of Leeds, Leeds, England. The change of venues allowed the festival to expand to three