BIIRD had never played together when they stepped on stage in Trafalgar Square to face 10,000 people on St Patrick's Day 2024. Eleven Irish traditional musicians stood side-by-side in elaborate costumes, some meeting for the first time only hours before the performance. Two years later, the all-female supergroup has sold out venues across the UK and Ireland, toured stadiums with Ed Sheeran, and built a global following - all without releasing a debut record. Their rise has been rapid, driven almost entirely by the strength of their live performances and word of mouth.
For singer and flautist Miadhachlughain O'Donnell, the scale of what the group is now doing would have seemed unimaginable during that first performance. It was mental, to be honest, she said. It was done in the blink of an eye… I don't think we had another gig for a couple of months, I didn't really know where it was going to go from there.
Founder Lisa Canny had been quietly developing the Spice Girls of trad concept for about a decade, aiming to change the outdated image of women in traditional music. The group, often described as the 'banjo baddies', wanted to break the mold in the traditional music sphere. With a distinctive style that redefines the aesthetics of Irish folk musicians, complete with corsets, heavy eyeliner, and glitter, BIIRD has shaken things up in a genre known for its traditional looks.
Their fast-paced journey also included a memorable collaboration with Ed Sheeran, who joined them for an impromptu session in a pub that led to them joining his Loop tour. Currently, they are working on their debut album while preparing for future performances that highlight their dynamic presence in the world of music.
As they continue to push boundaries, BIIRD hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians, particularly young girls, to embrace their craft and challenge conventions in the field of traditional music.
For singer and flautist Miadhachlughain O'Donnell, the scale of what the group is now doing would have seemed unimaginable during that first performance. It was mental, to be honest, she said. It was done in the blink of an eye… I don't think we had another gig for a couple of months, I didn't really know where it was going to go from there.
Founder Lisa Canny had been quietly developing the Spice Girls of trad concept for about a decade, aiming to change the outdated image of women in traditional music. The group, often described as the 'banjo baddies', wanted to break the mold in the traditional music sphere. With a distinctive style that redefines the aesthetics of Irish folk musicians, complete with corsets, heavy eyeliner, and glitter, BIIRD has shaken things up in a genre known for its traditional looks.
Their fast-paced journey also included a memorable collaboration with Ed Sheeran, who joined them for an impromptu session in a pub that led to them joining his Loop tour. Currently, they are working on their debut album while preparing for future performances that highlight their dynamic presence in the world of music.
As they continue to push boundaries, BIIRD hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians, particularly young girls, to embrace their craft and challenge conventions in the field of traditional music.
