Halfway Fest, presented by Nortons Digbeth in the Birmingham’s Irish Quarter, will feature performances by renowned artists and performers between 17th and 20th September. The live music programme of folk and country from Irish and Scottish acts All Folk’d Up (pictured), Calum McPhail, Ceol, Clada, and One for the Road builds on the sell-out success of the event in previous years.

Halfway Fest is a flagship annual event for Nortons Digbeth – a key venue in the area considered to be the historic and modern day home for the city’s Irish community – aimed at celebrating Celtic culture and traditions.

Peter Connolly, owner of Nortons Digbeth, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing this year’s edition of Halfway Fest, featuring our strongest line-up to date. We’re looking forward to welcoming old friends and new for this celebration of Irish culture, with a bit of Scottish trad and entertainment for all thrown in, as well as the launch of our brand-new comedy offering.

“Nortons is proud to be a meeting point for the Irish community from Birmingham and beyond, but we’re also a venue for everyone – and the invitation to join us for the hooley that is Halfway Fest is open to all!”

Halfway Fest will also see the launch of the first ever Birmingham Irish comedy night Comedy at Nortons, curated and hosted by award-winning stand up and actress Jo Enright, leading up to a new festival in March 2025. Starring Kevin Gildea, Eleanor Tiernan and John Ryan, the evening will include a special feature called The Lock In, which will see host Jo Enright sit down with headliner John Ryan after his set for a chat about comedy and storytelling, filmed with a live audience.

Comedian, and Comedy at Nortons curator and host Jo Enright said: “Finally Brum has its very own Birmingham Irish Comedy Night. I’m honoured to be hosting what will be a wonderful monthly event, where I get to introduce acts I’d pay to see, leading up to a very special comedy event around St Patrick’s Day in March 2025.”

Discovered by Irish country sensation Nathan Carter and artist manager and agent Liam McKenna, Ceol is a young band drawn from across Ireland with a passion for folk music, who play Halfway Fest on Saturday 20th September.

The band played to a sold out Nortons Digbeth earlier this year, saying: “Playing in Norton’s Digbeth is genuinely one of our favourite spots – the energy there is always incredible! For us playing festivals like this allows us to share Irish folk music – that’s what Ceol is all about. We absolutely love coming back to play for the crowd there, and we’re buzzing to take the stage at the Halfway Festival on September 20th. We can’t wait to share our music and the craic with you all again!”

Halfway Fest will also feature an Irish-themed quiz open to all and entertainment from popular Nortons regular, singer-musician Jack Banting, on Thursday 18th September.