News

Belfast marked four years as aUNESCO City of Music this November, a milestone that reflects not just a title but a growing international network centred on exchange and shared cultural practice. Since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2021, Belfast has strengthened meaningful partnerships with fellow Cities of Music including London, Ontario, Hannover, Daegu … Continued

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced over £1 million in National Lottery Project Funding for Individual Artists (PFIA), supporting 162 artists across multiple disciplines, including a substantial number from NI’s music sector. Recipients will use awards of up to £10,000 to develop new work, recordings, training and other professional projects over the coming … Continued

Beyond the main album prize, the awards celebrated success across various genres and career stages: Elsewhere, one of the most emotional highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award to Alan Simms of Shine Promotions. Simms was celebrated for his immense influence on NI’s live music culture over the last three decades. As the driving force … Continued

For almost two decades, the Oh Yeah Music Centre has been the north star of Belfast’s music ecosystem: not just a home for emerging artists and a hub for community, but also a steady pulse in a city that increasingly lives and breathes creativity. Few people know that rhythm better than Dee McAdams. As Operations … Continued

The Duncairn, one of Belfast’s leading multidisciplinary arts venues and a key contributor to our UNESCO City of Music ecosystem, has opened its annual Young Artist Open Call for 2025. This initiative is aimed at supporting emerging creatives aged 16-25 across music, writing, performance, visual art, photography, digital practice and more. The programme offers young … Continued

Sony Music UK’s A&R Academy is now open for applications, offering emerging talent from across the UK the chance to take their first step into the music industry. Running for 12 months from March 2026, this paid opportunity places successful applicants within one of Sony’s leading labels – RCA, Columbia or Ministry of Sound – … Continued

The live line-up for this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize has been announced, marking the return of one of the biggest nights in the local music calendar. Taking place at the Ulster Hall on Wednesday 12th November, the event forms part of the annual Sound of Belfast festival, celebrating the depth and diversity of NI’s … Continued

UK Music has launched a new national framework aimed at helping the music industry embed diversity and inclusion across every level of its work. The ‘Five Ps’ Action Plan – standing for People, Policy, Partnerships, Purchase and Progress – offers a practical toolkit for organisations to build fairer, more transparent structures and ensure that under-represented … Continued

Three musicians from NI travelled to Tampere, Finland in October to take part in WOMEX 2025, the world’s largest and most culturally diverse global music conference. Their participation was supported by funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the National Lottery. Held from 22-26th October, WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) brought together more than … Continued

In October, Belfast took part in the 2025 UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu International Forum, held in South Korea. More than 100 delegates from 21 cities across 15 countrie – including Malaysia, France, Turkey and Thailand – gathered in Daegu for several days of performances, workshops and discussion under the theme Remembering Global Freedom … Continued