Over 350 events announced as Belfast TradFest programme revealed
Belfast TradFest, Northern Ireland’s premier traditional music, song, and dance festival, is back for its much-anticipated 6th edition.
Running from July 21st to 28th, this year’s festival offers over three hundred and fifty events with the world’s finest trad musicians and promises an exhilarating week of concert performances, workshops, sessions and community events, bringing together some of the finest talents in the world of traditional arts.
The festival’s mission is to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of traditional Irish & Scottish music while fostering new talent and creating a vibrant platform for artists to share their craft.
This year’s lineup is a testament to this commitment, featuring an array of internationally acclaimed musicians, singers, and dancers, alongside emerging local artists.
The festival’s opening concert will set the tone for a week of spectacular performances. Headlining the concert is the legendary Clannad songstress Moya Brennan with her five-piece band. They will be joined in the iconic Empire Music Hall by the dynamic duo of Zoe Conway & John McIntyre, whose innovative approach to traditional music has garnered them worldwide acclaim.
For 40 years, American all-female group Cherish the Ladies have won the hearts of audiences around the world, with their rousing blend of traditional music, captivating vocals, and propulsive step dancing. They will play the Mandela Hall for their Belfast TradFest debut.
Trans-Atlantic supergroup Lúnasa, described by MOJO as “The new gods of Irish music” will play their biggest Belfast show to date, in the Empire Music Hall. Featuring Cillian Vallely of the famous Armagh uilleann piping dynasty, the group also features Cookstown bass player Trevor Hutchinson who has played with The Waterboys & Sharon Shannon alongside Kevin Crawford, Seán Smyth and Ed Boydof Flook.
West Kerry songbirds Pauline Scanlon & Éilís Kennedy aka Lumiere return to Belfast with their brand of distinctly feminine sounds, where voice is the primary instrument and Ireland as motherland is re-imagined
Appearing for their debut performance at the festival are Cathal Hayden’s Bow Brothers, featuring some of the finest fiddlers on the planet, whilst also on the bill at The Empire Music Hall will be the legendary triumvirate of musical maestros Mary Dillon, Neil Martin & Dónal O’Connor.
Described as a musical genius, Seamie O’Dowd plays the Sunflower Folk Club for what will be a rare solo show.
County Tyrone singer Niall Hanna and Beoga’s Damian McKee are performing and releasing their upcoming solo albums for the very first time at Belfast TradFest this July in the Black Box.
Mixing and melding Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves, Jiggy will bring an electrifying energy to Mandela Hall alongside the brilliant trio of Tara Breen, Pádraig Rynne, and Jim Murray.
Making their debut Irish performance at Belfast Tradfest, BIIRD are a brand new 11-piece, all female, superstar collective made up of some of Ireland's best traditional musicians and singers. Sharing the stage also at the Mandela Hall will be West Kerry sensation Pólca 4 who will excite revellers to dance the night away and surely raise the roof at the festival’s closing concert.
The Belfast TradFest Summer School of Traditional Music is the hub around which the festival is built.These workshops are designed not only to hone technical skills but also to immerse attendees in the cultural and historical context of the music.
The Bunting Collection housed in Queen’s University Belfast, perhaps the most significant collection of ancient Irish airs extant, was collected at the Belfast Harpers festival on Donegall St. in 1792 by St. Anne’s Cathedral organist Edward Bunting.
The annual Belfast TradFest ‘Belfast Harp Festival’ concert will this year celebrate Bunting with a very special concert in the Crescent Arts Centre featuring Monaghan harper Éilis Lavelle, Tin Whistle legend Mary Bergin and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer of the year Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, amongst others.
A special show entitled “Ceol na nGael / Wild music of the Gael” will showcase some of the most exciting performers of traditional music today in Áras Mhic Reachtain.
Legendary Belfast virtuoso fiddler Seán Maguire will be celebrated in The MAC with an annual fiddle concert in association with the Seán Maguire Music Society.
In association with Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, “Na Máistrí / Masters Of Traditional Music” will features the cream of traditional music talent, presented by Belfast composer and musician Neil Martin. Also on the bill will a be Tyrone singer Dàibhidh Stìubhard, County Clare’s Tara Howley & Pádraig Rynne, member of Trans-Atlantic supergroup Cherish the Ladies Mirella Murray, world champion bodhrán player Aimée Farrell Courtney & Donegal guitarist John McIntyre formerly of Rock outfit The Revs.
‘With Pipe & Drum’ concert in the Titanic Hotel Drawing Rooms in East Belfast will feature front-woman of Cherish the Ladies and American-Irish legend of traditional music Joanie Madden, alongside the very best of Scottish & Irish traditions. Friends of Campbell College Pipe Band will be led by Belfast Highland piper Grahame Harris, also on the bill; County Down snare drummer Mark Wilson, Mick McAuley a member of Irish-American ensemble Solas, Belfast’s own Gary Hastings, Mary Bergin who is considered to be the world’s greatest tin whistle player, World Champion Bodhrán player Aimée Farrell Courtney, Glengormley School of Traditional Music and Scottish Smallpipe legend Fin Moore. The concert will he hosted by Belfast TradFest vice chair, piper Andy McGregor.
In partnership with Belfast Pride, The Black Box will host one of the annual highlights of the festival Pride Céilí. This spectacle of dance, colour, excitement, fun and inclusivity that must be seen to be believed, is just one of the five Céilís that take place during the festival, hosted by world renowned Belfast Céilí dance caller Ronán Eastwood.
As part of the opening weekend of Belfast TradFest everyone is welcome to take part in the TITANIC CÉILÍ. A free, one day outdoor family event on Sun 21st July 1-5pm, celebrating traditional music, song, and dance at the Titanic Slipways on Belfast’s Maritime Mile. The music stage will feature The Blackwater Céilí Band, Rosie Stewart, Ards CCÉ and Glengormley School of Traditional Music. The event includes an outdoor Céilí, with sets such as The Waves of Tory and Siege of Ennis, called by Ronán Eastwood for all ages to experience. The fun doesn’t stop there with Bodhrán circles, children’s maritime art workshops, face painters and a live four-hour traditional music session on the deck of the SS Nomadic also taking place.
Belfast TradFest 2024 invites everyone to join in the celebration of traditional music, song, and dance.
Whether you are a seasoned musician, a casual listener, or someone looking to experience the vibrant culture of Belfast, the festival offers something for everyone.
Tickets for all events are now available on the festival’s official website - ww.belfasttradfest.com