Moxie | Kinnaris Quintet

Returning to Belfast for the first time in three years, Moxie brings their electrifying sound to TradFest in what promises to be a landmark performance. Hailing from Sligo in the West of Ireland, Moxie have carved out a space all their own — rooted in the rhythms of Irish traditional music but fearlessly pushing its boundaries, reimagining it for a new generation.

At the core of the band’s sound is the powerful voice and presence of Julia Spanu — a multilingual vocalist whose heritage spans France, Italy, Vietnam, and Tunisia — alongside Jos Kelly (keys/accordion), Darren Roche (accordion), Ted Kelly (tenor guitar/ukulele bass), Richie Delahunty (acoustic guitar), and Caoimhe De Barra (percussion). Together, they craft a sound that is both grounded and global, familiar yet futuristic. Their upcoming third album, due in Autumn 2025, draws inspiration from Bob Quinn’s “Atlantean” theory, taking listeners on a sonic journey that blends Irish tradition with sounds and stories from France, Spain, and North Africa. It’s a bold, genre-defying statement of cultural exchange and imagination — a rich tapestry of language, rhythm, and identity.

With Moxie, tradition isn’t just preserved — it’s reimagined, reshaped, and re-energised.