BIIRD: The All-Female Irish Supergroup Revolutionizing Traditional Music

Fri Jun 05 2026 04:16:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Discover how BIIRD, an all-female traditional Irish band, has embraced a contemporary style to captivate audiences worldwide, touring with Ed Sheeran and redefining the standards of the genre without ever releasing a record.

After facing a crowd of 10,000 in Trafalgar Square, BIIRD has quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the music industry. The group, filled with talented musicians, sold out venues across the UK and Ireland and toured with Ed Sheeran, all without a debut album. With a focus on modernizing the image of women in traditional Irish music, BIIRD's success stems from their engaging live performances and strong word of mouth.

BIIRD: The All-Female Irish Supergroup Revolutionizing Traditional Music

On St Patrick's Day 2024, eleven Irish traditional musicians took to the stage in Trafalgar Square for the first time, facing a crowd of 10,000—a moment that was both exhilarating and surreal. This marked the birth of BIIRD, a supergroup formed with the vision to change the narrative surrounding women in traditional Irish music.

In under two years, BIIRD has achieved an extraordinary rise, touring stadiums with Ed Sheeran and garnering a loyal fanbase across Ireland and beyond, all while not releasing a single album. The group's identity is built on their captivating live performances and a growing reputation driven by word-of-mouth buzz.

Founder Lisa Canny had envisioned a band that mirrored the iconic 'Spice Girls of trad' for about a decade. Their mission goes beyond making beautiful music; it aims to transform outdated representations of women in folk and traditional genres. Canny states, There are incredible shows like Riverdance and Celtic Woman, yet the image of women in these genres remains regressive. We want to shift that perspective.

Described as the baddie of trad due to her innovative styles, Canny's collaborative efforts brought together musicians from various backgrounds, with many having worked together informally prior to BIIRD's formation. The group's lineup has experienced some fluctuation, but their unity and unique characters fuel their dynamic performances.

Their distinctive look set them apart, embracing modern fashion with dark tones, corsets, and glitter—all responses to traditional expectations. This bold styling shocked traditionalists, prompting a wide-ranging discussion in the folk music community. Despite their contemporary twist, the group stays true to their roots, blending traditional Irish sounds with modern beats and instrumentation.

As history took them to tour Australia and New Zealand, the band has done more than just perform; they've inspired new generations of musicians, particularly young girls, proving that the stage has space for powerful, innovative female representation.

With a debut album in the works featuring original compositions, BIIRD is poised to leave a lasting mark on the music scene. O'Donnell reflects, We've created something enduring, and I hope our presence encourages other girls to embrace music and find their own voices in the industry.”