Singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill with the National Symphony Orchestra and Erland Cooper to Headline the National Concert Hall’s ‘Tradition Now’ Multi-Room Festival this November

Shining a light on the continual transformation of traditional music while paying homage to its roots, the National Concert Hall’s ‘Tradition Now’ multi-room festival returns on the 16th and 17th of November, featuring unique performances from innovative artists. 

Presented in partnership with the Arts Council, the Festival sees main stage performances by award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill on Saturday 16 November making her orchestral debut with the National Symphony Orchestra. She will be performing orchestrations by Terry Edwards, commissioned by NCH. Lisa’s set will include work from her latest lauded album All of This Is Chance and other treasures from her creative arsenal. On Sunday 17 November acclaimed Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper takes to the main stage for a highly-anticipated performance which will combine field recordings with traditional orchestration and contemporary electronic elements. 

Saturday 16 November will also see performances elsewhere in the NCH from Uilleann piper Leonard Barry with Andy Morrow and Seamie O'Dowd; eclectic duo Nick Hart and Tom Moore who augment viol and tenor viol with an array of drones and basses; and electrofolk artist Frankie Archer known for her innovative blend of manipulated samples, synths, drum tracks plus earthy Northumbrian fiddle. 

Sunday 17 November’s programme also features additional concerts in smaller venues by musical alchemists This is How we Fly (Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh, Seán Mac Erlaine, Nic Gareiss and Petter Berndalen) a group that fuse traditional Irish music, Swedish folk, jazz, and percussive dance to sublime effect; revered folk/traditional/ambient duo Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly and Swedish-Norwegian trio Ævestaden who blend lyres, fiddle, kantele, vocals, mouth harp, electronics and more to create unique soundscapes. 

The John Field Room plays host to the beloved John Field Room Sessions over the two nights. 

Since its inception Tradition Now has grown in both breadth and popularity, these changes mirror the expansion of the form itself, as it continues to evolve and renew. Tradition Now reflects this, whilst also honoring its heritage. 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

Lisa O’Neill 

Songwriter Lisa O’Neill is one of the most singular and exciting talents in Irish music today. Lisa has released five acclaimed albums to date, the last being 2023’s All of This Is Chance on Rough Trade. In 2019 she won the RTÉ Radio Folk Award for Best Original Track, she has been nominated for several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and she has been nominated twice for the Choice Music Prize. Over the years Lisa O'Neill has built an impressive reputation for herself on the Irish and international scenes and is lauded for her unique folk sound, dynamic song-writing and distinctive voice.   

Erland Cooper is a Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Stromness, Orkney. As a solo artist, he has released three acclaimed studio albums, with four additional companion albums and multiple EPs, including a trilogy of work inspired by his childhood home, as well as themes of nature, people, place and time. His work combines field recordings with traditional orchestration and contemporary electronic elements. Through music, words and cinematography he explores landscape, memory and identity. 

Uilleann piper Leonard Barry performs at Tradition Now with Andy Morrow and Seamie O'Dowd. Leonard has just released his beautiful third solo album, Littoral, ten years after the acclaimed New Road. The title of the new album reflects both his youth in the townland of Kilmoyley in North Kerry, and his current home on the Sligo coast, celebrating his journey as a musician with some of the many artists he has met on the way.   

This is How we Fly are a group that fuse traditional Irish music, Swedish folk, jazz, and percussive elements. The group comprises Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh (fiddles), Seán Mac Erlaine (woodwinds, electronics), Nic Gareiss (percussive dance), and Petter Berndalen (drums). They released their second album Foreign Fields in 2017 and their eponymous debut in 2013 – both to critical acclaim. Their live performances have seen them pack out venues throughout Europe and the USA. 

Nick Hart and Tom Moore have been playing music together in various guises for well over a decade. November 2023 saw the release of the highly-anticipated first duo album The Colour of Amber. It is a collection of traditional songs and tunes brought vividly to life with the unusual combination of Tom's viola and Nick's tenor viol, augmented by drones and basses from an old church harmonium. 

Musicians Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly’s second album The Beautiful Road, a soulful blend of folk, traditional, and ambient crossover was released last year to warm reviews. It follows on from the success of their debut Tá Go Maith (2021). Rónán and Myles have been showcasing their unique sound live to an ever-growing fan-base. 

Frankie Archer has exploded onto the electrofolk scene with music that transcends stereotypes using a combination of manipulated samples, synths, drum tracks and earthy Northumbrian fiddle and voice to capture her audience. Her aim? To shake up genres and traditions, challenge perspectives and call for a fairer future.

Swedish-Norwegian trio Ævestaden blend traditional and modern in a seamless way. Ævestaden combine lyres, fiddle, kantele, vocals, mouth harp and electronics, to open up a unique soundscape with timeless harmonies. 

TRADITION NOW - NATIONAL CONCERT HALL  

Saturday 16 November 

The Studio: 6pm Nick Hart and Tom Moore |10pm Frankie Archer
Main Stage:  7.30pm Lisa O’Neill & the National Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Barry Recital Room: 9pm Leonard Barry with Andy Morrow and Seamie O'Dowd 

Sunday 17 November  

The Studio: 6pm Ævestaden | 10pm This is How we Fly
Main Stage: 7.30pm Erland Cooper
Kevin Barry Recital Room: 9pm Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly 

Both Nights: John Field Room Sessions 

Tickets  

On Sale Fri 21 June 10am
Saturday 16 November - Day Ticket €30 | Sunday 17 November – Day Ticket €30
Limited Weekend Ticket Available (for 16 & 17 November) €50 - entitles the ticket holder entry to all Tradition Now concerts.
10% Discount for Friends of NCH and Groups of 10 or more.  

www.nch.ie    

ENDS            

Media Queries: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager or Roisin Dwyer, PR & Publications Executive, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. (S. Doyle Tel: 087 1775334 / R. Dwyer 085 7129628)          

About the National Concert Hall        

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, proudly serving the Irish public since it opened in 1981 through live music performances and significant educational and cultural programmes. Based in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, next door to the picturesque Iveagh Gardens, the NCH is proud home to our National Symphony Orchestra, as well as providing residence for a range of other music organisations including Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation. It is currently planning for a major redevelopment of all facilities as part of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.     

Faoin gCeoláras Náisiúnta  

Tá an Ceoláras Náisiúnta (CN) institiúid chultúrtha náisiúnta na hÉireann don cheol, a fhreastalaíonn go bródúil ar phobal na hÉireann ó osclaíodh é i 1981 trí thaibhithe ceoil beo agus cláir shuntasacha oideachais agus chultúrtha. Lonnaithe i gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus béal dorais le Gairdíní Uíbh Eachach, tá an CN bródúil as ár gCeolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta, chomh maith le háit chónaithe a chur ar fáil do réimse eagraíochtaí ceoil eile lena n-áirítear Cór Aireagail Éireann, Ceolfhoireann Bharócach na hÉireann, Music Network, Crash Ensemble agus Music Generation. Tá sé i gceist faoi láthair athfhorbairt mór á dhéanamh ar na háiseanna go léir mar chuid den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus de Thionscadal Éireann 2040.