The Women’s Work festival is an initiave of the Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast to shine a light and give a platform to women in an industry dominated by men.
Taking place from 24th to 29th May, Women’s Work takes place in venues venues Oh Yeah, Start Together Studio, the Black Box, Pavilion and Strand Arts Centre and includes gigs, panels, showcases, exhibitions and talks.
Highlights include
- In conversation with Sylvia Patterson, music journalist and author of I’m Not With The Band: A Writer’s Life Lost in Music. A 30 year journey that includes interviews with Prince, Beyoncé, Eminem, Madonna, George Michael, Shaun Ryder and more, making it one of the best rock memoirs of 2016.
- Q&A with mastering engineer Mandy Parnell (The XX, Bjork, Sigur Ros and Brian)
- An evening of live music with Alana Henderson, Rosie Carney, Hannah McPhillimy and Larks.
- Exclusive rooftop twilight gig with Katharine Philippa who will be performing new material.
- A main showcase featuring September Girls (Dublin), New Pagans (Belfast), Masha Qrella (Berlin), Beauty Sleep (Belfast), Party Fears (Berlin), Roe (Derry) and more, with special guest DJ Jen Long (Writer, broadcaster, DJ, BBC Radio 1 and BBC 3, Clash, NME, Line Of Best fit, DICE) wrapping things up at the end of the night.
- GIRL collective club night featuring DJs Marion Hawkes, Venus Dupree and rising star Holly Lester. Expect grooving house, broken beats, disco, Italo, house and techno.
- The Amazing Nina Simone – an evening of inspiration celebrating the high priestess of soul with a mix of interpretations and originals from guest artists.
- Screening in association with Touch Sensitive Records of A Life In Waves, exploring the life and innovations of composer and electronic music pioneer, Suzanne Ciani – “the American Delia Derbyshire of The Atari Generation”.
- A weekend of screenings at the Strand Arts Centre including Sonita, Ruby and The Duke and What Happened Miss Simone.
- Go Girl collective, documentary and gig.
Full Programme
Women’s Work is supported by Help Musicians NI, PRS Foundation and The Department for Communities.

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, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.