Award winning Belfast-based group Huartan will bring their exciting ‘tradtronica’ to Monroe’s Live this Sunday, November 2.
Their work draws on folklore, mythology, and political history as they revive the oral singing traditions and Irish-language heritage of Ulster.
Formed in 2023, the five-piece have quickly become one of the most talked-about acts in contemporary Irish music, merging the ancient and experimental.
At the heart of the group are traditional musicians Catriona Ní Ghribín, Múlú, and Stiofán Ó Luachráin, who also serves as producer.
They are joined by anthropologist Anna Poloni and dance choreographer and artist Micheál Ó’Coigligh, whose visual and performance elements are integral to the group’s live shows.
The name Huartan emerged from research into the symbolism of the hawthorn tree which is long associated with the otherworldly and supernatural in Irish tradition. This reflects the band’s fascination with horror and harmony.
Their debut single, ‘Bean Udaí Thall’, is a reimagining of one of Ireland’s oldest murder ballads, and earned them the inaugural Amhrán na Laoch award from Hot Press. This was followed by ‘Uiseog’, a track that brings together synth layers with a Manx lullaby melody.
Their performances often incorporate shapeshifting and mythic imagery, with choreography and costume design that evoke the unsettling presence of the síogaí, or fairies, of pre-Christian lore.
Huartan’s origins trace back to informal sessions at the Hawthorn Bar off Belfast’s Falls Road, where the three founding members began experimenting with traditional tunes and electronica.
The group’s creative process is research-driven, with Catriona and Múlú sourcing and reworking traditional songs. This academic and artistic background feed into the music’s depth.
Alongside their musical innovation, Huartan’s work also carries a message, often reflecting solidarity movements and broader discussions about Irish identity.
Huartan perform at Monroe’s Live Backstage on Sunday, November 2, at 8pm.
Tickets €15 from www.monroes.ie
