When the 11 members of the Irish traditional supergroup BIIRD first stepped onto the Trafalgar Square stage on St. Patrick’s Day 2024, they had never played a single note together. Some had only met hours earlier. Faced with a crowd of 10,000 people, the performance was a gamble.
Two years later, the all-female collective has sold out venues across the UK and Ireland, toured global stadiums with Ed Sheeran and built a massive international following all without releasing a single debut record. Their rapid rise has been driven purely by word of mouth and explosive live shows.
Founded by Lisa Canny a seven-time All-Ireland harp and banjo champion the group was born from a desire to disrupt a traditionally male-dominated space. Canny spent a decade developing what she calls the "Spice Girls of trad" concept.
"Our main objective, other than making beautiful music, is to change the image around women in trad and folk," Canny said. While global sensations like Riverdance and Celtic Woman paved the way, Canny believes the visual representation of women in those shows remains outdated.
BIIRD challenges that status quo not just with music but with a striking, grungy aesthetic. Partnering with top Irish designers the musicians perform in theatrical, sustainable clothing featuring corsets, dark tones and heavy eyeliner a sharp departure from traditional folk attire.
Despite the modern look, the band emphasizes that they are not reinventing the wheel. Their sound remains deeply rooted in Irish tradition, blending traditional lilting with a rich, energetic mix of drums, fiddles, flutes, harps, banjos, cello and concertina.
Their big break came after a chance encounter with pop superstar Ed Sheeran during an impromptu session at a pub in County Wexford. Impressed by their raw energy, Ed Sheeran invited them on his global tour. The band recently opened for him in stadiums across Australia and New Zealand and they are scheduled to join him for a US tour leg later this year.
Currently the group is at Decoy Studios in England recording their highly anticipated debut album will feature several of Canny's original compositions.
For the members of BIIRD, the ultimate goal goes beyond stadium tours and record deals. They hope to inspire the next generation of female musicians.
"I think people have definitely been inspired to pick up music younger girls especially, when they see women in that space," said singer and flautist Miadhachlughain O'Donnell. "Hopefully, it lives on past our time."
