BELFAST TradFest returns from 23 July with a jam-packed week full of traditional music, song and dance, featuring some of the best traditional musicians, singers and dancers from across these islands. This week-long event, featuring a summer school and a full programme of concerts, workshops, talks, lectures, sessions, céilís and festival club, is the only one of its kind in the North and brings together both the Irish and the Ulster-Scots musical traditions, in a shared celebration of culture and heritage. Festival headliner and set to be an ‘I was there moment’ is Sharon Shannon Big Band and Liam Ó Maonlaí at the Ulster Hall on Friday 29 July. Opening the show will be Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam Ó Maonlaí, performing a rare solo set with grand piano, bodhrán and tin whistle followed by Sharon Shannon’s eclectic six piece band.