TRÚ

This May, we are delighted to be working with the NI Mental Health Arts Festival for a series of events as part of their 2023 Festival. 

As part of the programme of events, we can't wait to welcome to The Crescent the mythological trio of poet-musicians TRÚ, in collaboration with Moving On Music. 

The trú was a mythological trio of poet-musicians who were revered throughout the Celtic world. Some believed their songs and stories came to them from the future while others maintained that the trú were possessed by spirits during the performance. As such, they were considered gatekeepers to the Otherworld.

It’s here where trio TRÚ draw their inspiration. Michael Mormecha (percussion/vox), Zachary Trouton (guitars/vox) and Dónal Kearney (flute/vox) come from different musical backgrounds.

As such, the three emerged from distinct cultural identities as children of the Peace Agreement in post-conflict Northern Ireland. From their British-Ukrainian, Ulster-Scots and Irish families, they have inherited an unusual and fruitful cultural ethos based on respect and exploration. Despite their individuality and an eclectic repertoire of influences (from Clannad to Nine Inch Nails via Joni Mitchell and The Beatles), the trio's collective chemistry is enchanting audiences with powerful storytelling and noteworthy songcraft.

Following on from 2020’s critically acclaimed “No Fixed Abode” (MOJO Top 10 Folk Albums, NI Music Prize nominee), their new record, “Eternity Near”, fuses the love poetry of Robert Burns with epic sean-nós songs and mixes medieval murder ballads with hints of country and Americana.

These are stories told with a contemporary voice. There is nothing traditional about TRÚ except the songs themselves.

Ahead of the gig, there will be a 30 minute film screening of Daytrip; a specially commissioned script for NI Mental Health Arts Festival about the ways in which myths are created and how they live alongside those who experience and remember their stories. Daytrip (In Memory of Mary Butters) looks at how myths are created and what they can tell us about the way our minds work.