Don’t miss these three great shows at the Belfast Tradfest 2025
Tickets are selling fast – so don’t miss your chance to experience the best in traditional music live in Belfast from July 27thxa0to August 3rdxa02025.
Belfast TradFest returns for its highly anticipated 7th edition this July 27th – August 3rd, featuring a vibrant week of concerts, masterclasses, sessions and summer school, showcasing over 500 of the finest artists from the world of traditional music, song and dance across 450 events, in 30 venues through Belfast UNESCO City of Music. With such a packed programme, and tickets selling fast, here are three unmissable gigs you’ll want to book now:
Dervish + NOTIFY with Cormac McCarthy and the Irish Concertina Orchestra:
The festival’s opening concert will set the tone for a week of spectacular performances with a sensational double bill featuring Dervish, a global phenomenon in traditional music, alongside the ground-breaking ensemble NOTIFY, joined by the Irish Concertina Orchestra, Cormac McCarthy, and the MGCE Concert Orchestra—featuring over 80 musicians onstage for an unforgettable night at Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on Sunday 27th July.
Seán Maguire Ómós:xa0
On Tuesday 29thxa0July, legendary Belfast fiddler Seán Maguire will be honoured in The MAC with an annual fiddle concert presented in partnership with the Seán Maguire Music Society.
This promises to be a dazzling display of virtuosity with performances from Bothy Band fiddler Kevin Burke, County Louth fiddle wizard Zoë Conway, Shetland fiddle legend Chris Stout, Tom Morrow of Dervish, current Fiddler of Oriel Maebh McGlinchey, her sister Úna, fiddle students from Glengormley School of Traditional Music, and more.
Moxie & Kinnaris Quintet:xa0
Also on Saturday 2nd August, Mandela Hall welcomes the Kinnaris Quintet, a powerhouse all-female group renowned for their euphoric, raw, and emotive sound. Their performances are a must-see on the live music scene. The group features accomplished musicians Jenn Butterworth (guitar), Laura-Beth Salter (mandolin/tenor guitar), Aileen Reid (5-string fiddle), Fiona MacAskill (fiddle), and Laura Wilkie (fiddle).
Their music balances reverence for tradition with bold innovation, delivering uplifting harmonies, intricate arrangements, and joy in abundance.
Returning to Belfast for the first time in three years, Moxie brings their electrifying sound to TradFest in what promises to be a landmark performance. Hailing from Sligo, Moxie are rooted in Irish traditional music yet fearlessly innovate, reimagining the genre for a new generation.
At the centre is the powerful presence of Julia Spanu, a multilingual vocalist with heritage spanning France, Italy, Vietnam, and Tunisia, alongside Jos Kelly (keys/accordion), Darren Roche (accordion), Ted Kelly (tenor guitar/ukulele bass), Richie Delahunty (acoustic guitar), and Caoimhe De Barra (percussion).
Their upcoming third album, due in Autumn 2025, draws inspiration from Bob Quinn’sxa0Atlanteanxa0theory, blending Irish traditions with sounds from France, Spain, and North Africa. This bold, genre-defying finale concert brings Belfast TradFest 2025 to a fitting close.
Speaking on the festival, Artistic Director Dónal O’Connor says,xa0“Over the past seven years, Belfast TradFest has grown from a bold idea into a major celebration of traditional music, song, and dance that belongs to all of us — and to this brilliant city. From the cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter to the grandeur of the Ulster Hall, from late-night sessions to world-class concerts, Belfast TradFest is a meeting place — of generations, of cultures, and of hearts and minds.
“This year, we hope to attract a total audience of overxa025,000xa0to take part in our extensive programme.
“From showcasing legendary performers such as Matt Molloy, Cathy Jordan, and Kevin Burke, to nurturing the next generation through our summer school and bursary programme, Belfast TradFest is about more than entertainment — it’s about education, preservation, and community.
“We’re proud to continue building a space where tradition evolves, thrives, and brings people together in the heart of Belfast, UNESCO City of Music.”
Don’t miss your chance to experience these standout shows live in Belfast, UNESCO City of Music.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT: www.belfasttradfest.com
Dervish + NOTIFY with Cormac McCarthy and the Irish Concertina Orchestra: xa0
https://www.ulsterhall.co.uk/what-s-on/dervish-notify/
Seán Maguire Ómósxa0
https://belfasttradfest.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173665470
Moxie & Kinnaris Quintetxa0
https://www.mandelahall.com/events/moxie-%7C-kinnaris-quintet
The festival is generously supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Arts and Business Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Community Fund NI, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, Cathedral Quarter Belfast BID, Linen Quarter BID, RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Maritime Belfast, Comhaltas, and Love Belfast.
For more information on Belfast TradFest 2025, including the full programme and ticket details, visit:
