THIS year's Sound of Belfast music festival will take place from November 9 to 19.
“Sound of Belfast is about showcasing the best and the most exciting music that we have right here on our own doorstep, from world-class musicians and celebrated names to an emerging exciting scene full of diversity," explains Charlotte Dryden, CEO of festival organisers Oh Yeah.
"This year’s programme is the greatest example of this to date with 62 events in 25 venues. Thanks to the artists, venues, partners, funders, sponsors and everyone that is on board with our vision in promoting Belfast as a thriving place for music. Together we make a great music city.”
The festival begins with Get On It, an event to mark the third birthday of Yeo Magazine, and will also feature a 20th birthday party for Alternative Ulster magazine, while the annual NI Music Prize at the Ulster Hall will see the Oh Yeah Legend Award presented to Paul Brady, followed by a special live performance.
Other festival highlights include Emily White presenting a live episode of her podcast How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams, and a night to mark the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance in aid of PiPS Suicide Prevention Ireland, with the album recreated in its entirety by The Peat Muppets and a selection of other local artists.
The annual Women’s Work showcase returns as part of Sound of Belfast with an eclectic mix of new music, a Youth Open Mic will unearth new sounds of the city, as will the Volume Control Clash of the New Breeds live final.
Beyond Skin will present a show titled Safe Harbour, Concert of the Diaspora and the Roots and Visions exhibition will celebrate Belfast's talented Bipoc artists.
Indie-pop artist Ferna will team up with traditional musicians to reimagine songs from her critically acclaimed debut album Understudy at The Duncairn, while NI Music Prize Album of the Year-winner Robyn G Shiels will curate a musical evening at Voodoo.
At Belfast Central Library, Duke Special will be discussing his new album Blood for Ghosts, which will also be released as a book, and Eric Bell will discuss his autobiography Remembering, Before, During and After Thin Lizzy with Stuart Bailie at The Deer’s Head.
Sound of Belfast will highlight the Outburst / Belfast Ensemble co-production of The Headless Soldier, Belfast Tradfest’s video exhibition Traditional Music Postcards From Belfast, Sea Wrack featuring staged performances by Irish artists from NI Opera, and Bernadette Morris's concert at Conway Mill in collaboration with Féile an Phobail.
See soundofbelfast.com for full programme details.
