Entertainment

Annie Nightingale tops bill of 2016 Women's Work festival in Belfast

Annie Nightingale comes to Belfast on March 4
Annie Nightingale comes to Belfast on March 4 Annie Nightingale comes to Belfast on March 4

ACCLAIMED broadcaster Annie Nightingale, US music critic and feminist writer Jessica Hopper and a host of female-centric bands will take part in the Women's Work festival in Belfast next month.

Timed to coincide with International Women’s Day (March 8), the festival sets out to highlight, celebrate and showcase women in music.

It kicks off at the Oh Yeah Music Centre on March 4 with a talk by Annie Nightingale, the BBC Radio 1 DJ who recently celebrated 50 years in music, followed by a DJ set. There will also be a live music showcase with acts including Saint Sister, Jealous of The Birds and Katharine Philippa on March 8.

Jessica Hopper will be the keynote speaker on March 6. Based in Chicago and currently editorial director of music at MTV, she was previously senior editor at the popular Pitchfork music site. Her new book The First Collection of Criticism By A Living Female Rock Critic, covers the last 15 years of her work.

There will also be a panel on March 6 with music blogger Nialler9, Jenny Wren (Body and Soul festival booker) and Tanya Sweeney (The Irish Times).

The festival will also feature a host of gigs, talks, workshops, crafts, a `Women of the World’ event and a special DJ Sage radio show.

:: Women’s Work NI runs in Belfast from March 4 to 11 (womensworkni.com)