Sound of Belfast is the annual celebration of Belfast city’s music talent, run by our friends at The Oh Yeah Music Centre.
This year’s diverse music programme is its 10th anniversary and across Belfast from November 7th to 17th, the festival will be celebrating the sounds of the city, a UNESCO City of Music, since 2021.
Here’s our pick of the bunch…
NI Music Prize
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Ulster Hall
Like the Mercury, Polaris or Choice, The Northern Ireland Music Prize honours and celebrates the best of emerging Northern Irish music and the people who represent the culture.
The awards night centrepiece is the announcement of the best Northern Irish album of 2024, with nominees this year including exMagician, Kneecap, Blue Whale, David Holmes, Virgins and Cherym among others.
Performances at Ulster Hall on the night come from some of the shortlisted artists Cara Dillon, Dana Masters, Huartan, JC Stewart, Reevah & last year’s BBC Radio Ulster ATL Introducing Artist of the Year winners Tramp.
Along with a very special performance from Oh Yeah Legend Award recipient Eric Bell (Van Morrison/ THEM/Thin Lizzy), his trio band and special guests, there are awards for best single, live and music video.
Output Festival
Tuesday 12 November 2024
The excellent music conference and music showcase Output moves to November for the first time as part of Sound Of Belfast’ 10th anniversary.
The free one-day event features a whole programme of music talks and workshops during the day, and 50 bands playing around Cathedral Quarter venues in the evening.
Live performers include Aoibha, Filmore, Leo Miyagee, HY:LY, Negro Impacto, Sasha Samara, Lemonade Shoelace and many more.
Women’s Work
Saturday, 16 November 2024
Oh Yeah Music Centre
Since 2015, Women’s Work aims to shine a light and give a platform to women in an industry dominated by men, through events, workshops and gatherings.
This year’s Sound Of Belfast event is a live performance showcase, curated by Katie Richardson (Hex Hue) & Ciara King (Problem Patterns).
Live performances come from Beauty Sleep, Martha Dark, Lord Jane (pictured), Big Tears and Boringbrxwneyes, and Tutti Music Club night for girls, gays & theys.
NI Hip Hop Convention
Thursday 7th & Friday 8th November 2024
Hotbox HQ
The NI Hip-Hop Conference is a two-day event celebrating the growth and future of hip-hop in Northern Ireland.
It’s designed to uplift and empower the next generation of artists while offering valuable insights into the music industry.
Templemore Talks: Terri Hooley & Stuart Bailie
Tuesday 12 November 2024
18:30 – 21:00
Templemore Baths
Celebrate Belfast’s counterculture through the life and legacy of a punk pioneer when Terri Hooley and music journalist Stuart Bailie reprise their show accompanying the publication of Terri Hooley: Seventy-five Revolutions.
As part of the celebration, Bailie’s photo exhibition “Visions of Hooley,” featuring emotive and personal photos from the life of Terri, will be on display this November at the EastSide Visitors Centre.
A Night of Jazz with Winnie Ama
Friday, 8 November 2024
Harland & Wolff Staff Club
The soulful voice of Winnie Ama has worked its magic across songs that could be categorised as electronic, dance pop, soul, jazz and R&B to date.
At Sound Of Belfast, Ama will perform a set of classic jazz songs and original compositions that nods to those wide variety of sounds in the historic setting of the Harland & Wolff Staff Club.
Sacred Sounds
Sunday, 17 November 2024
Shankill Mission
Sacred Sounds is a unique live event that combines yoga with ambient sounds for an immersive and rejuvenating experience.
Led by Emma from Hart and Soul Yoga and accompanied by DJ/Producer Optmst, the event will be held at The Vault Artist Studios, an inspiring architecturally artist hub within Shankill Mission.
Participants will engage in a 90-minute vinyasa flow yoga session, incorporating breathwork and meditation, all set to a live improvised ambient music set. Ideal for yoga practitioners, music enthusiasts, and anyone interested in holistic wellness, this event offers a transformative space for relaxation, introspection, and community connection
Music Cities Afternoon
Wednesday 13 November 2024
12:00 – 16:00
Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC)
This year the focus is on the night-time economy by with the newly appointed Night Czar Michael Stewart.
Two panels will take place – Ensuring Safety in Northern Ireland’s Night-Time Economy: Strategies for Protecting Women and Girls and The Power of Music: Measuring Its Impact on Northern Ireland’s Night-Time Economy.
Guest Panelists include Amy Lamé (former Night Czar of London), Holly Lester (Free The Night), Joe Dougan (Shine Promotions) and Timmy Stewart (Artist, DJ and Promoter) among others.
Lots of live gigs
Thursday November 7th to Sunday November 17th
Various venues
The programme is extensive on the live music and event front with standout gigs from the Fermanagh composer and multi-instrumentalist RÓIS on her Irish Wake Tour, Ciaran Lavery welcoming you with his “Light” Entertainment show, spectral art-rock band Sister Ghost launching a new album, a night of queer artists with Out Loud, alt-pop act Chubby Cat, slacker rock from Careerist and guests His Father’s Voice and Lipgloss, alt-pop artist ROE performing in a secret location, a visit from Dublin rappers Curtisy + Ahmed, With Love, Gospel with Manukahunney, Toshín and Angela Ifonlaja, a co-headline with Becky McNeice and Still Searching, indie folk from Aoibha and friends, songwriter Lilla Vargen and Derry queer artist Susie Blue’s Venite Ad Me EP launch at Ulster Sports Club.
Phil Taggart also hosts his live audio/visual DJ Set The Evolution of Disco party, there’s a Battle of the Bands vibe at Clash Of The Newbreeds, and Handmade Music is an intriguing new experimental music night taking place.
A browse of the full programme is to be encouraged.
More?
Sound of Belfast runs between 7 to 17 November and full details can be found at www.soundofbelfast.com
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
