News

Music Venue Trust has published its 2025 Annual Report, and this year’s data includes a genuinely important development for Northern Ireland: for the first time, there is sufficient, NI-specific evidence to properly represent grassroots music venues here within the UK-wide statistics. With financial support from Belfast City Council, Music Venue Trust invested resources in a … Continued

A major new mental health survey has launched for everyone working across the UK music industry – and it’s open now. Led by Music Minds Matter in collaboration with Point One Project and Habit Partners, this is described as the most comprehensive study of its kind into mental health across the music ecosystem. Crucially, it’s … Continued

Beyond Skin has announced its first wave of special guests for International Women’s Day 2026, centering on a powerful program of music, dance, and advocacy. Running from the 6th to the 9th of March, the schedule is anchored by an event at Queen’s University Belfast on March 8th. The lineup is part of the ACCEPT … Continued

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has significantly expanded its influence by welcoming 19 new artists to its official Ambassador community. The latest cohort includes high-profile names such as Dan Smith (Bastille), Orla Gartland, Alfie Templeman, Aziya, and Jalen Ngonda, alongside established industry figures like Imogen Heap and Katie Melua. These individuals join a powerful network … Continued

The UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT) is set to launch in the first quarter of 2026, delivering critical financial support designed to make domestic touring more sustainable and accessible for emerging and mid-tier talent. This initiative arrives at a vital time for the industry, as rising operational costs and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have made … Continued

Keychange has officially released its Keychange Pledge Report 2023-2025, providing one of the most comprehensive looks at gender balance and intersectional inclusion in the global music industry to date. The report highlights a significant milestone: 50.7% of reporting organizations met their gender balance targets in 2025. However, the data reveals a “tale of two industries,” … Continued

AVA Festival has officially unveiled the first wave of artists for its twelfth edition, returning to the Titanic Slipways on May 29-30th 2026. This year’s programme is a defining moment for the festival, led by a hometown headline performance from the Belfast rap trio Kneecap, whose fusion of Irish-language lyricism and punk attitude has become … Continued

In a year already packed with landmark events – from the Fleadh and AVA to Brilliant Corners and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival – Belfast’s cultural landscape continues to expand with the arrival of a brand-new, all-day event. Taking Up Space will debut at Accidental Theatre on July 26th 2026, offering a platform built with … Continued

What does a creative career in Belfast actually look like? Belfast Buildings Trust and its partners are giving young people the chance to find out through Creative Belfast, a project offering hands-on, paid internships for those aged 18 to 25. It’s a six-month deep dive into how creativity moves through our city. The program is … Continued

The Community Foundation Northern Ireland has announced that the Thomas Devlin Fund is now open for its 2026 round of applications. This fund offers an annual bursary scheme specifically for gifted young people aged 15 to 19 who are looking to develop their skills or pursue professional careers in music, performing arts, or creative arts. … Continued