This week presented some good news as the Oh Yeah announced the return of their annual Women’s Work festival. Taking place across three days in June, 2022 represents the sixth edition of a festival that has grown in scope, and returns to venues around Belfast following its live iteration last year. The festival has always aimed to celebrate and represent women in music while remaining open to all, and this year will be no different.
Between 2nd and 5th June, there will be live performances mixed in with workshops, talks, screenings and even a walking tour. Continuing previous year’s themes, there will be a celebration of a classic album, this year marking 30 years since the release of the traditional album A Woman’s Heart with performances from Brigid O’Neill, Bernadette Morris, Rose Connolly, Ria Maguire and Ciara O’Neill. The annual showcase returns again to the Oh Yeah Centre with an exciting line-up led by Sprints alongside Cherym, Problem Patterns, Girl for Sale, Winnie Ama, Don Chi, Susi Pagel, Aoife Wolf and Clara Tracey – and a Get In Her Ears DJ set, popular promoters and champions of female and non-binary artists.
Women in Shadows features Duke Special, Ferna, Alice LA, Dark Tropics and Rachel McCarthy performing material inspired by the women they feel deserve to be front and centre. Elsewhere there’s performances from harpist Rachel Newton (The American Bar, Moving on Music), Bobbi Arlo and KEM (Black Box). The NI Electronic Workshop with Die Hexen, This Ship Argo, HY:LY and ÉABHA celebrate their release in Sound Advice, Sister Ghost launch a zine, Elspeth Vischer’s Let Us Be Seen is given a screening while there’s a DIY gig poster workshop led by Sasha Samara and Grace Fairley.
Shukria Rezaei of Afghanistan discusses her story and poetry while the Musicians Union discuss Safe Spaces in Sound. Safe in Sound and Three’s Theatre Company present ‘I Believe Her’ – a night of audio experience, discussion and music. A walking tour, audio piece and panel. Check out the Women’s Work website for tickets and even more events.
Charlene Hegarty coordinator of the festival at Oh Yeah said: “The purpose of the Women’s Work Festival is to illuminate the many talented women working onstage and off stage in our music community. This year we have welcomed as many artists as possible, to perform or host events, over 4 days and nights in June. The festival is varied, diverse, exciting and challenging and I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed to the programme and made it possible – it takes a village. Women’s Work is a festival for allies in equality and music lovers – show up to show your support.”
