Set over two weeks Sound of Belfast returns with a gargantuan programme of live music and events around the city.
Curated by the Oh Yeah Centre in partnership with a whole range of individuals and organisations, the programme features 82 events across 43 venues between 7 and 17 November 2024.
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Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah said, “This festival proves time and time again that we have no end of incredible musical talent to show off in Northern Ireland, and this year will be the biggest showcase and discussion we have ever seen across 3 days. The first ever PRS Foundation Talent Development Conference will bring 73 UK-wide organisations to Belfast to discuss emerging talent, plus we have the Output Conference, the NI Music Prize and the youth-focused Breaking Into Music. It’s remarkable and we are so grateful to all our supporters.”
With so much going on, we’ve tried to pick out just a handful of events that we think should not be missed. The full programme of events can be found on the Sound of Belfast website.
- NI Hip Hop Convention – Hotbox HQ – Thursday 7 November 2024 – Set across two days and designed to celebrate the growth and future of hip-hop in Northern Ireland, this new festival and conference hopes to uplift and empower the next generation of artists while offering valuable insights into the music industry.
- Bonded with LMINL – Oh Yeah Centre – Thursday 7 November 2024 – A brand new series hosted by Stephen McCauley where the audience will be invited to listen to a record in full before hearing from the artist about the recording process. First up is LMINL aka Deci Gallen of The Jane Bradfords with his debut solo release.
- Clash of the New Breeds – Oh Yeah Centre – Friday 8 November 2024 – Now an annual fixture in the music calendar, the Volume Control team set out to find the hottest new bands. They will battle it out in front of an audience of their peers and industry judges in order to win some brilliant prizes
- Lilla Vargen – Linen Hall Library – Friday 8 November 2024 – Lilla Vargen burst into the scene a few years ago with an air of mystery but soon left plenty captivated. Fresh from the release of her new EP, the beautiful surroundings of this venue will let her vocals soar to new heights.
- Sister Ghost – HMV Belfast – Saturday 9 November 2024 – After a raucous album launch in Derry, Sister Ghost turn to Belfast to give their indie rock masterpiece ‘Beyond the Water’ its full debut in the city.
- Regard 005 – Yoga Quarter – Saturday 9 November 2024 – The Regard team are doing something magical. They are taking artists out of traditional venues and bringing them to local places around Belfast and Northern Ireland. The perfect space to focus on the music without the usual bar chat.
- AOIBHA and Indie Folk Friends – Green Room, Black Box – Sunday 10 November 2024 – After a busy start to the festival, kick back in the Green Room with AOIBHA as she performs an intimate set of her beautiful indie folk alongside some special guests.
- Queen’s Student Union Battle of the Bands – Mandela Hall – Monday 11 November 2024 – A big start to the week as Monday’s Child, Disorder, Somehow Sentient, Running Out the Clock and Anomalys compete in this battle of the bands. All proceeds from the event will be going to Carers NI and Nexus NI.
- Output 2024 – Various Venues – Tuesday 12 November 2024 – An event so big it needs its own post. A full day music conference followed by an evening of free showcases across the city.
- NI Music Prize 2024 – Ulster Hall – Wednesday 13 November 2024 – Get your glad rags on and get down to the Ulster Hall as we celebrate the past 12 months of music from NI. Find out who has won the big prize of Album of the Year while checking out some fantastic performances from the nominees.
- The Factory Sessions: ROE – Secret Venue – Thursday 14 November 2024 – The Factory Sessions are a series of unique gigs, allowing fans to experience their favourite artists in an intimate or reimagined way. ROE has long been a favourite of ours and the prospect of seeing her in a secret space is an intriguing prospect.
- Ciaran Lavery – Lyric Theatre – Thursday 14 November 2024 – Ciaran Lavery is a highly respected songwriter and his latest release looks set to catapult him to new heights. Join Ciaran as he melds music and musical theatre together against the backdrop of a modern dystopian nightmare, as he redefines what it means to attend a ‘gig’.
- Careerist – Limelight – Thursday 14 November 2024 – Careerist make a long awaited return, joined by Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra and LipGloss. With the promise of new songs and old, old ones it should be well worth checking out.
- Out Loud – Show Some Love Greenhouse – Friday 15 November 2024 – Hosted in their brand-new Green House studio space, Show Some Love charity has collaborated with Garrett Laurie, Anthony Layde and Niall McDowell in a celebration of Belfast’s rising queer artists.
- Search Party – Belfast Empire – Friday 16 November 2024 – 5 piece indie rock outfit Search Party play their biggest headline show to date in one of the country’s most spectacular venues. Expect a whole lot of energy, driving rhythms & melodic riffs.
- Christmas Light Switch On – City Hall – Saturday 17 November 2024 – This year instead of the usual mediocre one hit wonder or Z list “celebrity” assisting in the Christmas light switch on, we’ve got Belfast’s favourite pop princess Sasha Samara. Fantastic to see the council spotlight local talent and they couldn’t have picked a better person in Sasha.
- Women’s Work Showcase – Oh Yeah – Saturday 17 November 2024 – Katie Richardson (Hex Hue) & Ciara King (Problem Patterns) have teamed up to put together a banger of a line-up that features the artists they’re most excited about from these shores including Beauty Sleep, Martha Dark, Lord Jane, Big Tears and Boringbrxwneyes.
