Sam Amidon | Nils Okland | The West Ocean String Quartet | John Francis Flynn | Saileog, Eoghan and Muireann Ní Cheannabháin | Elizabeth LaPrelle

Host Donal Dineen

Transmitting from NCH, Tradition Now is two marathon concerts reflecting the diversity of contemporary traditional music.

An evening of strings and voices stretching from the sublime to the visceral tracing a path from Ireland, to Norway and America.

With their latest album Atlantic Edge, The West Ocean String Quartet have won widepsread acclaim for their effortless combinations of classical and tradtional music. They have been best decribed by The Irish Times, “this is a musical odyssey to soothe and stimulate the imagination long into the night”.

Nils Okland is arguably the finest hardanger virtouso at work today. His sparse concerts touch on moments of sublime beauty and near silence.

Regular Irish visitor Sam Amidon’s latest self-titled album is fullest realisation to date of his artistic vision as he performs radical reworkings of mostly traditional folk songs.

Elizabeth LaPrelle has been performing Appalachian ballads and old-time songs since she was eleven. Her magnificent voice, her respect for the songs, and her authentic mountain sound and style has won her widespread acclaim.

Saileog Ní Cheannabháin is a musician, singer and composer. A native Irish speaker her sean-nós singing style is mainly influenced by singers from Iorras Aithneach in the Connemara Gaeltacht, where she spent a lot of time over the years.

John Francis Flynn is a singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work centres around traditional and folk material from Ireland and further afield. He is a founding member of the band, Skipper's Alley.

Hosted by DJ, radio presenter and filmmaker Donal Dineen.

Immerse yourself in the rich world of the new and exciting in traditional music : Tradition Now will be available to stream for one week for you to enjoy.

Tradition Now is a partnership between NCH and The Arts Council. Supported by Davy as Innovation Partner and The Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.