Belfast Tradfest announces key headliners Lúnasa, BIIRD, Bow Brothers and more

This July 21 through 28, Belfast Tradfest will welcome Lúnasa, BIIRD, Lumiere, Pólca 4, Bow Brothers, Cherish The Ladies, Mary Dillon, Dónal O’Connor and Neil Martin to their stage.

Belfast Tradfest is a traditional music festival that is hosted in Belfast annually and is supported by Belfast City Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Belfast Cathedral Quarter BID and Belfast One BID.

Headliner Lúnasa, is a five piece traditional music group consisting of members Kevin Crawford, Seán Smyth, Cillian Vallely, Trevor Hutchinson and Ed Boyd. The group is known for elaborate sets, Lúnasa will bring their unique sound to Belfast this summer.

Éilís Kennedy, Pauline Scanlon and Donogh Hennessy, also known as Lumiere, will play their biggest Belfast show ever at Belfast Tradfest. A fan favourite, the trio will dazzle the crowd with their effortless blending of feminine vocal harmonies and complex guitar riffs.

The 11-piece all female group BIIRD will make their Irish debut at Belfast Tradfest. This collective consists of some of Ireland’s most notable musicians and singers of traditional music. Collectively they have won many All-Ireland titles as well as tour with shows synch as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

Next on the docket is Pólca 4 who create high energy, danceable music from West Kerry. The sound the band is known for centres their accordion player Pádraig Ó Sé. They will be followed by Bow Brothers, Cathal and Stephen Hayden.

The brothers will be joined by award-winning fiddler Niall Murphy. As well as Sligo singer and guitarist Seamie O Dowd, musician Brian McGrath and percussionist Jimmy Higgins.

Mary Dillon, Dónal O’Connor and Neil Martin said that their performance at Belfast Tradest is “when three traditional music comets collide, sparks will surely follow.” The group will be bringing back timeless Ulster songs and their set will focus on the expressiveness of combining fiddle, cello, harmonium and uilleann pipes.

Cherish the Ladies will also be playing their biggest show in Belfast at the festival this year. The group is fronted by Joaniw Madden, the 2021 National Heritage Fellowship Award winner. Joined her is Mirella Murray on the accordion, Nollaig Casey on the fiddle, Mary Coogan on guitar, Kate Purcell on lead vocals and guitar and Kathleen Boyle on the piano.

The first headliners, Bow Brothers, Mary Dillon, Dónal O'Connor and Neil Martin will play at 7:30 p.m. at Empire Music Hall on Wednesday July 24. Then Lúnasa and Lumiere will play at Empire Music Hall on Thursday July 25. On Saturday July 27, Cherish the Ladies will play at Mandela Hall at 1 p.m. followed by BIIRD and Pólca 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale on Friday April 26 at 10 a.m. and can be found here.