Now in its sixth year, Tradition Now reflects the diversity of contemporary traditional music from Ireland and further afield. This year’s festival, presented in partnership with The Arts Council, and supported by Davy and The Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, sees an array of artists perform a relay of forty-minute sets in two marathon concerts in a unique event for livestream audiences.
Marathon#1 kicks off on Saturday 24th October with a bill that features powerful Irish folk songs and music from Choice Music Prize nominee Ye Vagabonds, Donegal traditional music icon Mairéad Ní Mhaonigh agus a cairde and the refined musical stylings of Uilleann piper Barry Kerr (NCH Liam O’Flynn Award winner for 2020) in the company of Beoga’s Niamh Dunne and Seán Óg Graham. The evening also sees a fusion of Irish and Persian cultures with Nava, sublime four-part harmonies courtesy of Landless, father and daughter team Mick and Ciara O’Brien and a joyful celebration of American old-style singing with Cahalen Morrison.
Marathon#2 on Sunday 25th October sees the multi-talented Sam Amidon makes a welcome return to the National Concert Hall stage. The evening’s activities also include compelling sets from Norwegian hardanger virtuoso Nils Økland, The West Ocean String Quartet, riveting sean-nós evocations from Saileog, Eoghan and Muireann Ní Cheannabháin, eclectic folk fusions from John Francis Flynn and Elizabeth LaPrelle’s ethereal Appalachian ballads
Speaking about Tradition Now, Simon Taylor, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said: “We are very excited to announce this year’s Tradition Now Marathon, celebrating all aspects of the genre from the established to the progressive. This year’s programme features some of the finest exponents of the form and we are delighted to provide artists, whose livelihoods have been so severely affected by the pandemic, with the opportunity to perform once more. In these difficult times we need the uplifting power of music more than ever, so we are honoured to bring these enriching livestream performances to a national and international digital audience.”
Maureen Kennelly, the Director of The Arts Council said: “The Arts Council is delighted to be celebrating the sixth edition of Tradition Now and values this important partnership with the National Concert Hall. Tradition Now highlights the diversity and innovation that exists within traditional music and song and is committed to improving the visibility and career success of emerging and established traditional artists. While current circumstances have seen concert halls and music venues dark in recent months it is heartening to see so many excellent artists at different stages in their artistic journeys presenting their work on the national stage and online to world-wide audiences.”
The evenings will also see DJ, radio presenter and filmmaker Donal Dineen in conversation with the artists through the stream. Tradition Now Marathon 2020 promises to be a showcase of the most exciting new traditional music and a forum for musical connection.
Immerse yourself in the rich world of the new and exciting in traditional music: Tradition Now will be available to stream for one week for you to enjoy. Tickets for the stream are available exclusively via DICE.fm Tickets: €10. Weekend Ticket: €15 On Sale Now.
Tradition Now is a partnership between NCH and The Arts Council, supported by Davy as Innovation Partner and The Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October Ireland, UK, Europe, 6.00pm BST / 7.00pm CEST
Tradition Now Marathon #1 Saturday 24th October
Ye Vagabonds | Mairead Ni Mhaonigh agus a cairde | Nava | Landless | Cahalen Morrison | Barry Kerr with Niamh Dunne and Seán Óg Graham | Mick & Ciara O’Brien | Host Donal Dineen
Tradition Now Marathon #2 Sunday 25th October
Sam Amidon | Nils Okland | The West Ocean String Quartet | Saileog, Eoghan and Muireann NÍ Cheannabháin | John Francis Flynn | Elizabeth LaPrelle | Host Donal Dineen
