MINISTRY OF TRAD premieres in Belfast with it’s first Guest Performance: PROJECT SMOK 6 August 2026 | Mandela Hall, Belfast 

Anglo-Irish Productions proudly announces the launch of MINISTRY OF TRAD, a  groundbreaking new live music experience set to redefine the landscape of contemporary trad and  Celtic fusion. The event will ignite Belfast’s iconic Mandela Hall on Thursday, 6 August 2026,  delivering an electrifying night of rhythm-driven performance, club-influenced energy, and modern  Celtic innovation. 

First to be announced is Project Smok, the Scottish neo-trad powerhouse celebrated for their  progressive musicianship, boundary-pushing compositions, and high-octane live shows. Since  forming in 2017, the trio has amassed more than 15 million streams worldwide, establishing  themselves as one of the leading forces reshaping contemporary traditional music. 

MINISTRY OF TRAD is only getting started. Several more huge acts, spanning internationally  recognised trad icons and major festival-stage performers, will be announced shortly. Building  toward one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking, standalone, trad events Belfast has hosted  in years. 

Event Details 

Date: Thursday, 6 August 2026  

Venue: Mandela Hall, 77 University Road, Belfast BT7 1NF  

Time: Doors 19:00 | Show 20:00–23:30  

Artists: Project Smok & More To Be Announced  

Ticket Price: £27.80 (£25+fees)  

Age Restriction: 18+  

Project Smok blends traditional Scottish instrumentals with innovative production, contemporary  rhythm, and improvisational flair. Featuring Ali Levack (pipes/whistles), Pablo Lafuente (guitar),  and Ewan Baird (bodhrán), the group has become synonymous with the cutting edge of modern  Celtic music. 

CLADA are rapidly gaining attention for their bold, high-energy approach to traditional music,blending raw folk roots with modern rhythmic drive and an electrifying live presence. Known forperformances that blur the lines between session culture and club-ready intensity, CLADA represent the next wave of contemporary trad innovation.

Anglo-Irish Productions develops and delivers culturally rich live experiences across the UK,  Ireland, and international markets. The company has produced numerous sold-out events  worldwide, ranging from intimate acoustic performances to large-scale Irish dance spectaculars.  With a commitment to elevating traditional music and culture through contemporary staging, world class talent, and audience-focused design, Anglo-Irish Productions continues to expand the reach  and impact of modern Celtic performance.