Trú To Take To The Stage At 4 Corners Festival

Folk music stars Trú have been confirmed as the latest musical act to be added to the 4 Corners Festival lineup next month.

The band will be taking to the stage at An Evening In Conversation with Trú where 4 Corners Festival co-founder Steve Stockman and committee member Miley Brennan will interview the band about their background, individual experiences and the stories behind the songs.

Trú are a trio of well known musicians Zach Trouton, Dónal Kearney and Michael Mormecha who came together to refresh Irish traditional music with their songs and blended harmonies.

Their name comes from the ancient Ulster Trú who were a trio of poet-musicians whose songs told the story of the future.

Throughout the evening on Friday February 9 at Orangefield Presbyterian Church in East Belfast, the band will also perform some of their songs, Irish trad blended with the most sublime harmonies

Speaking of the event, Steve said: "We're delighted to have Trú on board for this year's festival and look forward to hearing the story of how Trú came to be. The band sing about some of our longest handed down local stories so for this year's festival they were the perfect band for An Evening In Conversation."

Best known for their debut album No Fixed Abode which Clannad's Moya Brennan declared as "absolutely amazing", Michael Mormecha of the band said fans are sure to hear a few of the album's best known Gaelic Waulking and Scots lullabies songs as well as music from their recently released album Eternity Near.

He added: "We are really excited to be part of 4 Corners, the ethos of the festival really resonates with our approach to Trú, we draw inspiration from all over this island and beyond to try and create something unique and special and that's what this festival is known for.

"This will be our first show of the year and our first since the release of our second record Eternity Near was released with a sold out album launch in the Duncairn."

Now in its 12th year, the 4 Corners Festival was conceived as a way to inspire people from across the city to transform it for the peace and wellbeing of all.

The festival features a range of music, discussion, sport and faith-inspired events and will run from February 1 to 11 in venues in all four corners of the city.

This year's theme OUR STORIES…Towards A Culture Of Hope is about showcasing our city and our people's stories reflecting the essence of belonging and unity within the city's diverse community.

The upcoming festival's suite of events is designed to entice people out of their own 'corners' of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas and hopefully meet new friends.

"There is a correlation between the stories we tell and the culture we live in. Stories can highlight common ground, increase understanding and create connections. They hold the power to have a positive impact on our community and promote hope for the future" explained Megan Boyd, 4 Corners Festival Administrator.

The 4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office's Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund.

All festival events are free of charge, with most open to the public, although advance booking of tickets is mandatory. Select events will be streamed online on the official 4 Corners Festival YouTube and Facebook accounts.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to www.4cornersfestival.com