SOLAS

After nearly twenty years away, Solas return to Belfast — louder, bolder and more exhilarating than ever.

Belfast TradFest welcomes one of the most influential forces in Irish music as American supergroup Solas make their long-awaited festival debut at Mandela Hall. 

For nearly three decades, Solas have stood at the very forefront of contemporary traditional music. Formed in New York in the mid-1990s, the band quickly became a phenomenon – blending Irish tradition with the energy of folk, Americana and modern songwriting, and setting a new benchmark for virtuosity, imagination and sheer musical power. 

Now, after an eight-year hiatus, the legendary ensemble has returned to the stage to celebrate their 30th anniversary, bringing their electrifying live show back to audiences around the world. 

The current lineup features founding members Séamus Egan (flute, whistles, mandolin and more), Winifred Horan (fiddle) and John Williams (accordion), joined by acclaimed musicians Nuala Kennedy (flute and vocals) and Alan Murray (guitar and bouzouki). 

Their return has been met with enormous excitement throughout the international traditional music communit, a rare opportunity to experience the band that helped reshape the sound of Irish music in America and whose recordings, compositions and performances have inspired generations of musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.

This concert also marks Solas’s first Belfast appearance in almost twenty years, making it a particularly special occasion for audiences here. The band brings with them the energy, virtuosity and innovation that have defined their remarkable career. Expect blistering reels, soaring vocals, masterful musicianship and the fearless creativity that made Solas one of the most influential and celebrated bands in Celtic music history. This promises to be one of the standout events of Belfast TradFestm, a rare and unforgettable night in the company of true masters of the tradition. 

Opening the concert are the 2026 recipients of the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Music Bursary, a flagship initiative supported by Belfast City Council and TG4 and administered by The Duncairn. Now in its fifth and final year, the bursary has played an important role in recognising, encouraging and investing in some of the brightest emerging talents in traditional music across the island. This year’s recipients are three outstanding young artists, Jack McGoldrick, Eimear Magee and Peadar Connor. Their talent, dedication and passion for the tradition are already making an impact, and we are delighted to welcome them to the stage this evening. It is a privilege to support musicians at this stage of their journey, and we look forward to following their careers and seeing where their music takes them in the years ahead.