Pamela McCormick is one of the most quietly transformative figures in UK music education. Born and raised in Belfast during the Troubles, Pamela left NI at 18 and went on to forge a remarkable career across jazz, youth culture, music education and social justice. In 2000, she co-founded Urban Development (now UD) in Stratford, east…
Culture Night Belfast is officially back for 2025, taking place on Friday 19th September. This year’s event will look a little different: it will be artist-led, venue-based and spread across the city. There will be no road closures or central stage. Instead, the focus will be on live events happening in real spaces throughout Belfast…
Submissions for this year’s NI Music Prize have now closed, but keep your eyes peeled for the 2025 shortlists! The NI Music Prize returns to the Ulster Hall on Wednesday 12th November 2025, as part of the Sound of Belfast festival, organised by the Oh Yeah Music Centre. This year’s submissions window covered three key…
For this month’s edition of Conversations, we sit down with Claire Hall, newly appointed Creative Producer at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre. A long-time champion of inclusive dancefloors, grassroots scenes and bold creative production, Claire brings years of experience across nightlife, placemaking and festivals into her new role helming the programming of this year’s Sound…
Ireland Music Week has announced the 50 artists selected to showcase at its 2025 edition, taking place from October 1st-3rd across Dublin city centre. Organised by First Music Contact, the event has become a key industry-facing platform for emerging Irish artists who are ready to take the next step in their careers. More than just…
Applications are now open for a wide range of individual artist funding schemes from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). Whether you’re emerging, mid-career or long-established, these grants are designed to support your development, creative output and international reach across all artforms. Part of the Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP), the schemes offer…
A major new partnership between Music Minds Matter and Spotify promises to bring vital mental health support to more artists, songwriters and music professionals across Ireland, the UK and beyond. Announced earlier this month, the collaboration forms part of Spotify’s Heart & Soul: Mental Health for Creators initiative, a global campaign designed to address the…
A significant boost has just landed for musicians, bands and community ensembles across NI. On 19th June, the Department for Communities announced a major new round of investment into the Musical Instruments Scheme, with a total fund of £750,000 available. Delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the scheme is designed to support the…
Fast-rising Belfast alt-pop powerhouse Susi Pagel has been selected for the prestigious Frequencies New Music Residency 2025, becoming one of just a handful of emerging artists across the UK to take part in the sought-after programme. Originally from Carrickfergus and now based in Belfast, Susi has steadily carved out a bold sonic identity that blends…
Féile an Phobail has unveiled the programme for its 2025 edition, and it’s the most ambitious yet. Running from 26 July to 10 August, this year’s Féile will deliver more than 600 events across 50 venues in West Belfast and beyond, making it not only the largest community arts festival in Ireland but one of…