Gig Rig - Friday

Gig Rig Daytime Programme

Friday 7 August | Belfast City Hall

The Fleadh's Gig Rig Daytime Programme brings the energy and atmosphere of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann right into the heart of Belfast city centre.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Belfast City Hall, this free outdoor concert series showcases an exciting mix of national and international performers, featuring traditional music, song, dance, céilí bands and large ensembles.

Throughout the week, audiences can enjoy performances from Comhaltas branches and visiting artists from across Ireland and around the world, alongside youth orchestras, community collaborations and outstanding local talent.

The Gig Rig will offer performances from 11:00am to 11:00pm each day, with a full line-up and stage times to be announced soon.

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Featured Performances

Connections

Directed by Neil Martin

As the weekend settles over the city, acclaimed Belfast composer, uilleann piper and cellist Neil Martin will direct Connections, a special multicultural music experience created in collaboration with ArtsEkta.

Featuring a cast of twelve musicians and dancers, the performance blends Irish traditional music with sounds from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and beyond, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of contemporary Belfast.

A long-established figure in Irish music, Neil Martin has collaborated with artists including Christy Moore, The Dubliners and The Chieftains, bringing a wealth of experience to this unique celebration of musical exchange and cultural connection.

TRIP

Also appearing on Friday evening are Scottish ensemble TRIP, whose dynamic and genre-defying sound has made them one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Glasgow's vibrant traditional music scene.

Uniting the Celtic traditions of Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man, TRIP combines driving rhythms, contemporary arrangements and exceptional musicianship with a deep respect for tradition.

The line-up features:

• Michael Biggins – accordion
• Isla Callister – fiddle
• Tiernan Courell – flute and whistle
• Alasdair MacKenzie – guitar and vocals
• Rory Matheson – piano
• Craig Baxter – bodhrán

Together they create a powerful and distinctive sound that balances traditional melodies with original compositions and contemporary influences.

Lúnasa

Irish traditional music giants Lúnasa will also take to the stage on Friday evening.

Long regarded as the "Irish music dream team", Lúnasa has been one of the most influential groups in contemporary traditional music for more than two decades, helping shape the sound of modern Irish folk music around the world.

The current line-up features:

• Trevor Hutchinson – bass
• Cillian Vallely – uilleann pipes
• Kevin Crawford – flute
• Seán Smyth – fiddle
• Colin Farrell – fiddle
• Ed Boyd – guitar

Collectively, the members have performed with and contributed to some of the most important groups and recordings in traditional music, bringing extraordinary experience and musicianship to every performance.

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A spectacular evening of global influences, Celtic traditions and world-class musicianship in the heart of Belfast.