Sound of Belfast 2023: Music festival to return this November

This year’s Sound of Belfast celebration will be run by the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Cathedral Quarter from November 9 to 19, featuring representations of genres including jazz, rock, electronic and folk music from across Northern Ireland.

Watch: Sound of Belfast launch

Last year saw thousands attend the various, and this year it kicks off the “Get On It” celebration in honour of Yeo Magazine’s third birthday.

The Oh Yeah Music Centre will also host an Alternative Ulster anniversary bash, commemorating the magazine’s two-decade legacy under the guidance of Jonny Tiernan.

The celebration is promised to highlight “early 2000s nostalgia and unexpected live acts”. In addition, the highly-anticipated annual NI Music Prize, held at the Ulster Hall, promises a momentous occasion as IMRO bestows the Oh Yeah Legend Award upon Paul Brady, followed by an exclusive live performance.

Other highlights include a recreation of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged on its 30th anniversary, with the famous Kurt Cobain-led rock group’s album recreated in its entirety with music from The Peat Muppets alongside a range of other local artists.

The festival will also play host to a Women’s Work showcase with an eclectic mix of new music. Refugee advocate charity Beyond Skin will also present a show titled Safe Harbour, Concert of the Diaspora, while indie star Ferna will be teaming up with some of Belfast’s finest traditional musicians in The Duncairn to reimagine a selection of songs from her debut album ‘Understudy’.

Organisers said they want to incorporate elements of other notable festivals in Belfast into their line up including Outburst, Belfast Tradfest, and Feile.

Charlotte Dryden, chief executive of the Oh Yeah group, said: “Sound of Belfast is about showcasing the best and the most exciting music that we have right here on our own doorstep.

“From world-class musicians and inspiring celebrated names to an emerging exciting scene full of diversity. This year’s programme is the greatest example of this to date with 62 events in 25 venues.

“Thanks to the artists, venues, partners, funders, sponsors and everyone that is on board with our vision in promoting Belfast as a thriving place for music. Together we make a great music city.”

Gilly Campbell, director of arts development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “Sound of Belfast is another fantastic initiative curated by Oh Yeah, an arts organisation we are delighted to support with public funding.

“Oh Yeah has worked hard to deliver as much access as possible, for as many as they can, to first-class music events this November across Belfast city.

“We congratulate Charlotte and her team for their outreach work in helping to develop musicians across the year, and their ability to showcase the city’s musical talent in this way.’’