BIIRD | Pólca

Brought together through a shared love of the music that raised them, the collective is breaking the mould by teaming up with Ireland's most disruptive and creative designers & stylists. BIIRD aim to update the image and narrative of trad music across the globe.

Their members have won multiple All-Ireland titles, toured the world performing on shows such as Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, The Young Irelanders, The Late Late Show and Electric Picnic, to name a few.

The line-up includes Mayo’s Lisa Canny (harp/banjo/vocals), Ciara Murphy (fiddle/vocals), Aoife Kelly (fiddle/vocals), Aisling Egan Sage (pipes/fiddle), Sal Heneghan (harp/fiddle), Zoran Donoghue (concertina), Castlewellan native MÚLÚ (flute/shruti/vocals), Niamh Hinchy (vocals/whistle/synth), Hannah Heimstra (drums/vocals) and Laura Doherty (guitar/vocals) and Belfast’s very own Claire Loughran (fiddle/synth)

Having just performed their debut show at Trafalgar Square to 8,000 people, it is clear that something magical happens when BIIRD take to the stage, “something hard to describe but easily, deeply felt.” - Annie Mac Manus.

"Bloody brilliant - <they're> onto something here - visionary business" - Toddla T

Pólca 4 are guaranteed to get the foot tapping and blood flowing with their high energy shows and vigorous arrangements, mixing local polkas and slides with jigs, reels and songs. The band’s arrangements breathe new life into these time-honored melodies, infusing them with their unique interpretations while preserving the essence of the traditional tunes.

Pólca 4's performances are characterised by lively interplay between Daire Bracken (fiddle), Pádraig Ó Sé (vocals & accordion), Gary O'Brien (guitar) and Robbie Harris (bodhrán & percussion), creating a musical tapestry that transports listeners to the heart of West Kerry.

This will be their biggest Belfast show to date and you will be dancing, they promise!

Part of Belfast TradFest>>