BIIRD: The All-Female Irish Supergroup Taking the World by Storm

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.

'Spice Girls of Trad'

While BIIRD's direction of flight may have been uncertain to its members at first, founder Lisa Canny had been quietly developing the Spice Girls of trad concept for about a decade. Our main objective, other than making beautiful music, is to change the image around women in trad and folk, Canny said.

Banjo Baddie

A seven-time All Ireland harp and banjo champion, Canny has long held the reputation of being the baddie of trad. According to fiddle player and harpist Sal Heneghan, I think there's never been anything like this done in trad before… With the all-female, and the grungy look as well.

The group is distinctly unique, focusing on sustainability and fashion-forward aesthetics, using outfits from Irish designers as they present a bold departure from the traditional image of Irish folk musicians.

Their energetic performances have resulted in a growing fan base, and they continue to break boundaries in the traditional music scene. Whether it’s through their modern style or their dynamic sound that mixes traditional instruments with contemporary rhythms, BIIRD is creating a new narrative for women in music.

As their debut album, featuring original compositions, is underway, O'Donnell expressed hopes of inspiring a new generation: In years to come, there may be other BIIRDs that fill our space… Hopefully it lives on past our time.