The first GIFTED of 2025 is a very special one as we welcome renowned Singer-Songwriter Gareth Dunlop to the Belfast Empire on Thursday 6th February.
Gareth will be bringing his incredible band with him as he plays songs from his latest NI Music Prize nominated album & plenty of hits from his back catalogue.
Support on the night comes from Polar Bolero and AOIBHA.
The event will run from 7pm till 11pm, leaving you plenty of time to catch the last bus or train home.
Tickets are priced at £10 and can be purchased here: GIFTED: Gareth Dunlop | Polar Bolero | AOIBHA – 6th February 2025.
Gareth Dunlop
A musical journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary, Dunlop’s talent has been endorsed by a remarkable list of legendary artists that he has had the chance to perform with, including Van Morrison, Snow Patrol, James Morrison, Stereophonics, Bonnie Raitt, Foy Vance, and Jeff Beck, among others. With a dedicated following of over 122,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, his prowess as an artist continues to enthral audiences worldwide. Notably, his track ‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’ stands as a testament to this, amassing more than 5 million streams.
Dunlop’s previous releases have become a soundtrack to life, featuring on both the big and small screens. His songs have found their way into the hit TV series ‘Nashville’, among other popular shows such as ‘Lucifer’, ‘This Is Us’, ‘Bones’, and ‘Suits’. In addition to TV, his work has been a part of major motion pictures like ‘The Best of Me’, ‘Safe Haven’, and ‘The Visitor’, as well as gracing TV commercials for Disney and Subaru, solidifying his status as a versatile and in-demand artist. His debut album, ‘No. 79’, captured the hearts of listeners with its raw fusion of folk and soul, even securing an Album of the Week slot on the RTE1, while ‘Animal’, his sophomore album, showcased a vibrant blend of synth-pop influences, reflecting his evolving musical style.
Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits, and Pink Floyd, Dunlop’s journey commenced at 14, as he strummed his guitar and shared his melodies across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK. His exceptional talent was recognised with the Young Songwriter of the Year award in Belfast in 2011, catapulting him into the international music scene and leading to collaborations with esteemed songwriters in Nashville.
Polar Bolero
We are pleased to welcome back Polar Bolero for their 2nd appearance at GIFTED. The band fuse together beautiful indie folk with flourishes of jazz for a unique sound.
They are building a loyal following a spate of well received live performances and with new music on the way, now is the time to catch them live.
AOIBHA
Our opener for the evening is the phenomenal AOIBHA. Originally trained in classical music, AOIBHA writes music that weaves across several genres including indie, folk, and pop music.
With over a decade of experience composing music, AOIBHA writes with a raw vulnerability that translates into soft, haunting melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
