News

UK Music has launched its annual This Is Music Creators’ Survey to shed light on the financial reality of creating music in 2025. Whether you’re a full-time or part-time professional artist, composer, songwriter, engineer or producer, UK Music is eager to hear your experiences and insights. The survey is a vital tool for understanding the … Continued

In the first edition of our new monthly Conversations series – where we sit down with NI’s musicians to talk creativity, motivation, mental health and the realities of making music on your own terms – we catch up with the ever-original Alpha Chrome Yayo. From high-octane Eurobeat and sultry slow-jams to ambient dreamscapes, horror scores, … Continued

Music for Youth and Frequencies have opened applications for the 2025 edition of the Frequencies New Music Residency, a major opportunity for emerging music creators aged 16–25 across the UK – including Northern Ireland. This year’s residency offers a unique platform for young artists to collaborate, create and perform at one of the world’s most … Continued

New research from PRS for Music and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed that Belfast is the top location in the UK for live music in pubs. Beating every other postcode across the UK – including Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Brighton – this recognition highlights the city’s deep-rooted musical culture and the … Continued

In the latest round of the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), five Northern Irish acts have received a share of the £1.6 million funding aimed at boosting the international presence of UK artists. This scheme, developed and administered by the BPI, helps independent UK companies expand their artists’ commercial profiles in key overseas markets. The … Continued

The PRS International Showcase Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 to UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international industry-facing events. This includes festivals, songwriting camps, and conferences designed for music professionals rather than the general public. To qualify, applicants must have received a … Continued

Three NI artists – Winnie Ama, JC Stewart and Wynona Bleach – are off to Austin, Texas, to perform at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025. Supported by PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund, with funding from The National Lottery, they will take to the stage at one of the world’s most influential music festivals, gaining exposure … Continued

AOIBHA has been announced as this year’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Artist-in-Residence, marking another milestone in a year of growing recognition. Hailing from Co. Down, AOIBHA has spent the past 12 months establishing herself as a singular voice within Ireland’s indie-folk landscape. A string of high-profile support slots and a sold-out full-band show have signalled … Continued

Help Musicians are offering several fantastic opportunities for musicians in NI, providing support, funding and expert guidance to help artists develop their careers. The Fast Track Award will open from 24 March to 11 April, offering £500 to help musicians seize an opportunity. Whether it’s recording, performing, or gaining new skills, this funding could be … Continued