A series of ‘Flash Trad’ performances surprised unsuspecting punters at pubs across Belfast at the weekend, as top trad artists popped up to perform impromptu trad sessions at some of the city’s top pubs.
The surprise trad sessions, which popped up at Belfast pubs The Duke of York, The Deer’s Head, White’s Tavern, The Second Fiddle and The Jeggy Nettle, are part of a major new ‘Old But Gold’ campaign by Powers Irish Whiskey. Shining a light on local trailblazers, the campaign aims to highlight the value of lived experience that comes with age.
Proudly championing Powers’ rich history, and its ability to stand the test of time, the Old But Gold campaign is challenging consumers to rethink their perceptions of what ‘old’ really means in today’s world, celebrating life experience, confidence, and the self-assuredness that comes with more trips around the sun.
Celebrating the songs, stories and traditions that have been passed down through the generations, the Flash Trad events featured a series of surprise performances from well-known Irish trad artists.
Kicking things off on Friday evening, Armagh born, Ríoghnach Connolly (BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2019 & 2020)was joined by Ellis Davies on guitar, as the series of pop-up performances got under way outside iconic Belfast pub, The Duke of York. The pair, who have played together for nearly 20 years – as long as long as they have been a couple – have graced stages around the world, as far away as Brazil and Singapore, performing and recording together under Ríoghnach’s name, and in folk-group Honeyfeet.
Traditional and folk music runs in Connolly’s veins; coming from a long line of singers on both sides of her family, she channels the music of her grandparents and can draw from a breadth of styles, and trad and folk traditions across the world.
Joining the duo on the Friday night line-up, third generation trad and folk singer/songwriter Niall Hanna was accompanied by his wife, Rachel McGarrity on fiddle, and Stephen Loughran on flute. Hailing from rom Derrytresk in Co. Tyrone, Hanna burst on to the Irish folk scene with the release of his first solo album of songs ‘Autumn Winds’ in 2018. Featuring well-known Ulster ballads, the album also displayed Niall’s ability as a songwriter. The title track ‘Autumn Winds’ was nominated for ‘Best Original Track’ at the RTE Folk Awards in October 2018. He also received a nomination for Best Emerging Folk Artist.
On Saturday, the Flash Trad tour continued, with Niall Hanna (guitar and vocals), Rachel McGarrity (fiddle) and Paddy McGrandles (flute), popping up again for surprise performances at The Deer’s Head and White’s Tavern, delighting unsuspecting punters, and even inspiring an impromptu jig from an enthusiastic onlooker in White’s Garden.
Wrapping up the series of surprise shows, Belfast trad and folk singer, Brendaìn Quinn, who has toured Ireland, Europe and America, sharing stages with stage with legendary Irish acts, Damien Dempsey and Aslan, took the reins for the final two performances, accompanied by legendary piper and whistle player, John McSherryand Francis McIlduff, a fourth generation uillean piper from the famous McPeake family. The trio performed rousing sets that got feet tapping at trad music bar, The Second Fiddle in the city centre, before finishing at The Jeggy Nettle in Stranmillis in the early evening.
Behind the scenes content from the Powers Flash Trad event series will be released soon – keep an eye on PowersWhiskeyNI.com and the Powers social feeds, @PowersWhiskeyNI
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