News

There are some people who just seem to quietly hold a scene together: not by force or ego, but by sheer conviction, warmth and belief in others. Ross Graham was one of those people. A fierce champion of the independent Northern Ireland music scene, he left behind a legacy that spanned punk, pop, country and … Continued

Sound of Belfast is back, and this year’s line-up proves why it’s one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Belfast’s musical calendar. Programmed by the Oh Yeah Music Centre, the festival runs from this Thursday, 6-16th November and transforms the city into a world-class celebration of music and collaboration. Taking place across 27 … Continued

As Belfast prepares to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, local artists, businesses and community groups are being invited to take part in a series of free online stakeholder sessions this month. Running from 5-13th November, these short, 30-minute sessions are a chance to hear the latest updates on Belfast’s plans for the Fleadh, learn … Continued

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Creative Bursaries, supported by Belfast City Council and Perspective Economics. Established to nurture new and original work, the CQAF Creative Bursaries have become a vital platform for creative development across Northern Ireland, helping artists grow, experiment, and reach new audiences. Among this year’s opportunities … Continued

The shortlist has been announced for the 2025 Gerry Anderson Music Bursary, presented by the Oh Yeah Music Centre. This year’s shortlisted artists are CHERYM, Cora Harkin, Garrett Laurie, Polar Bolero and Tessio. Created in memory of legendary NI broadcaster and musician Gerry Anderson, the annual £5,000 bursary supports bold, original voices from across Ulster … Continued

Belfast’s night-time economy could be set for a major lift with the introduction of a new late-night bus service, due to launch in November. Announced in September, the “night mover” service is designed to support the city’s hospitality, cultural and creative industries by improving transport links after hours. For venues, artists and audiences alike, it … Continued

In the latest edition of Conversations, we sit down with a bona fide NI music legend and true ambassador of our creative community. As a founding member of North Coast instrumental giants And So I Watch You From Afar, Rory Friers has spent two decades taking boundary-pushing sounds from local rehearsal rooms to some of … Continued

Live Music Now Northern Ireland has received continued support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Annual Funding Programme, ensuring a second year of investment in its work across health, education and community settings. The funding will allow the organisation to deliver a wide range of programmes designed to improve access to live music for … Continued

Output Belfast has once again confirmed its reputation as a cornerstone of the NI music calendar. The free conference and showcase festival returned to the Cathedral Quarter for one of its most successful outings to date, drawing large crowds of industry professionals, artists and audiences. Across the day, talks and panels explored pressing issues for … Continued

The shortlists for this year’s NI Music Prize have been announced. Once again set to take over the iconic Ulster Hall on 12th November as part of this year’s Sound of Belfast Festival, the biggest night in the NI music calendar will celebrate and honour the best in local music. Acts across the scene will … Continued