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, from County Down, 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.
Founder Lisa Canny, a renowned harp and banjo champion, envisioned the so-called Spice Girls of trad concept for years before its inception, aiming to change the image surrounding women in traditional and folk music. There are these incredible shows that tour the world like Riverdance and Celtic Woman, but the representation of women in these groups is outdated.
The group's aesthetic and high-energy performances have propelled them into the limelight, helping them forge connections with major artists like Ed Sheeran, who invited them to tour with him after a chance meeting in a pub. BIIRD's first album is currently in the works, and members hope to inspire younger generations to explore music, leaving a lasting impression beyond their time.
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, from County Down, 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.
Founder Lisa Canny, a renowned harp and banjo champion, envisioned the so-called Spice Girls of trad concept for years before its inception, aiming to change the image surrounding women in traditional and folk music. There are these incredible shows that tour the world like Riverdance and Celtic Woman, but the representation of women in these groups is outdated.
The group's aesthetic and high-energy performances have propelled them into the limelight, helping them forge connections with major artists like Ed Sheeran, who invited them to tour with him after a chance meeting in a pub. BIIRD's first album is currently in the works, and members hope to inspire younger generations to explore music, leaving a lasting impression beyond their time.
