The Girl Group Who've Sold Out Venues Without Releasing a Record
Tuesday, 2026/05/19188 words3 minutes1065 reads
BIIRD, an all-female Irish traditional music collective, has achieved extraordinary success through live performances alone, having never released a studio album. The eleven-member ensemble made their debut in March 2024 at Trafalgar Square, performing before 10,000 spectators despite many members meeting only hours beforehand.
Founder Lisa Canny, a seven-time All Ireland harp and banjo champion, conceived the project over a decade ago with the explicit aim of challenging outdated representations of women in traditional Irish music. Rather than conducting formal auditions, Canny assembled the group through her extensive network within the traditional music community, ultimately selecting eleven musicians whose distinct styles and personalities warranted inclusion.
BIIRD's aesthetic departure from conventional folk imagery has proven controversial yet effective. Collaborating with prominent Irish designers, the group embraces theatrical, sustainable fashion featuring corsets, dark tones, and dramatic styling. This visual identity, combined with their energetic reinterpretation of traditional repertoire, has garnered international attention, including support from Ed Sheeran, who invited them to join his Loop tour after an impromptu pub session. Currently recording their debut album at Decoy Studios, BIIRD hopes their success will inspire future generations of female traditional musicians.
