Irish American supergroup the olllam, acclaimed for their inventive musical arrangements blending traditional, rock and jazz sounds, are set to play their biggest Belfast show to date in the brand new Mandela Hall. Belfast TradFest presents the olllam plus Clare Sands, will take place on Friday 28th July, 2023. One of only four shows in Ireland, and their only Northern Ireland date, will be one not to be missed.
the olllam’s inventive musical compositions and arrangements have been earning them sold out shows across Europe and the US as well as awards including a RTE Radio 1 Folk Award 2022 Best Folk Group. Their debut album, now considered a cult-classic (the winner of the 2012 Indie Acoustic Music Award for Best Instrumental Album), is lush with trance-like melodies, stunning instrumental virtuosity and a magical marriage of tradition and technology.
Formed in 2012 as a collaboration between legendary Belfast Piper John McSherry (Lúnasa, At First Light, Ulaid), fellow piper/whistler and Grammy-nominated producer Tyler Duncan (Carly Rae Jepsen, Theo Katzman, Scary Pockets) and Michel Shimmin (May Erlewine, Joshua Davis, Millish). Recently signed up full member Joe Dart, voted ‘hottest bassist on the planet’ by Musicradar, is well known for his signature bass work with the funky and furious US band Vulfpeck.
Looking forward to the olllam at Mandela Hall Belfast, Dónal O’Connor Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest said:
“ Belfast TradFest is delighted to present the olllam plus Clare Sands at the brand new Mandela Hall, Belfast on 28th July. Their music places the listener somewhere between Radiohead and Planxty and their unique, melodic and progressive sound combined with a cult-like following of ‘Rockers’ and ‘Trad Heads’ will make this the not to be missed gig of 2023 in Belfast.”
Tickets for Belfast TradFest presents the olllam plus Clare Sands are now on sale. Tickets are £28.50 and available here https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/the-olllam-belfast. For further information on the olllam visit https://www.theolllam.com/