Hear the heartbeat of Belfast at the Sound of Belfast festival
Presenting 82 events over 10 days, the Sound of Belfast festival celebrates Northern Ireland’s capital as a UNESCO City of Music.
Sound of Belfast 2024 Poster
Belfast’s thriving and diverse musical landscape and rich musical heritage garnered it the prestigious title of City of Music in 2021. With a vibrant music scene that spans all genres, Belfast’s beat can be felt in the streets, pubs, clubs and performance venues across the city.
The annual Sound of Belfast festival (7 to 17 November) showcases Belfast’s musical talents across gospel, garage, rock, electronic, rap, folk, trad, classical, jazz and more.
The festival’s flagship event, the NI Music Prize, will take place at the historic Ulster Hall, with an Oh Yeah Legend Award presented by PRS For Music to Thin Lizzy’s founding member Eric Bell, followed by a special performance.
Eric Bell by Stuart Bailie
In a festival first, Sounds Atypical will be an intimate gig at the Ledger Studio which will shine a spotlight on Belfast’s d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent musicians. On the same day, Sound of Belfast will host Out Loud, a night dedicated to rising queer artists, in the Show Some Love Greenhouse.
The 10 days of performances will take place in a variety of special venues across the city. Singer songwriter Lilla Vargen will bring her unique talent to the eighteenth-century Linenhall Library. A specially commissioned Grace and Glory gospel music event will take place at St Rosemary’s Church led by the creators of Soultrane, a Sacred Sounds event will combine yoga with a live ambient DJ set at Shankill Mission, and a Factory Sessions set by ROE will be at a secret location yet to be revealed.
Belfast’s Grand Opera House will stage a concert by top folk musician Foy Vance, and a number of collaborations will include Bridging Beats – from Kansas City to Belfast, Aoibha and Indie Folk Friends, and an Indian/folk fusion in An Audience with Amita Ravikiran and Guests.
Front Entrance, Grand Opera House Belfast
There will also be events to support young and emerging musicians including the PRS Foundation Talent Development Conference, the NI Hip-Hop Conference, Output Belfast, Breaking into Music, and the Music Cities Afternoon.
From intimate gigs to large-scale events, open mic nights to shopping centre performances, talks, walking tours, band battles and experimental sessions, the Sound of Belfast will celebrate the deep connection that Belfast has with music, and the diversity and brilliance of its music scene.