Output Belfast, Ireland’s biggest one-day music conference, returns to the Cathedral Quarter on Thursday 25 September – and applications are now open for its annual Emerging Talent Showcase. One artist or band will be selected to perform on the bill, joining a citywide celebration of the best in new Irish music.

To be eligible, applicants must be based in NI must not have released an album, and must not have performed at Output Belfast before. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 28th August, and late submissions will not be accepted.

As always, Output Belfast is completely free to attend, bringing together top industry voices and local talent. This year’s programme features 28 panels, workshops and sessions covering everything from music production and sync to artist development, sustainability and AI disruption. Proceedings will open with a major keynote featuring PRS Chair Crispin Hunt, Musicians’ Union’s Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy Chair Tom Gray.

By day, the conference delivers practical insights and big ideas from across the industry. By night, Belfast comes alive with a stacked showcase programme of the best new Irish artists across multiple city venues. The full showcase line-ups, along with the chosen Emerging Artist, will be announced in early September.

Artists can apply now here.