We all need things to look forward to, and although Covid has thwarted all our grand plans, the one thing that’s always there for you, is music…cheesy we know, but it’s true! (And yes, we did use the word thwart, but it’s kinda fun.)
The show must go on, and Sound of Belfast 2020 is no different. Now in its 7th year, this annual celebration, dedicated to the sounds of the city is normally dominated by live shows in venues across Belfast. But this year get dressed up, pour yourself a drink and celebrate our amazing local talent and venues across the city, all from the comfort of your own home.
Sound of Belfast has curated and pre-recorded a series of live performances in empty venues across Belfast. This series will celebrate the diverse and world-class talent based in the city, showcased via the Oh Yeah Music Centre YouTube channel between 6th - 12th November.
An amazing line-up, the series will kick off with Ryan McMullan on the roof of Oh Yeah, with a lively reminder of what we are missing live from Brand New Friend in the Oh Yeah venue. Some of the other acts taking part include Neil Martin at the Strand Arts Centre, Manukahunney at The Black Box, Jealous of the Birds at Limelight, New Pagans at Voodoo, Ruth McGinley in Start Together Studio, Duke Special at The Belfast Empire and Myles McCormack at Sunflower.
The programme also will still include workshops, talks, panels and one to one meetings. Guest speakers and industry professionals will guide musicians and artists through funding, maximizing and utilizing online promotion, navigating streaming and playlist opportunities, music licensing, as well as managing your finances and artist manager advice. Presenters from YouTube Music, PRS for Music,PPL, Help Musicians, DITTO and AIM (Association of Independent Music) will host events on video platforms and registration is necessary.
Special events also include a Getting To Know...with Therapy?, where Stuart Bailie from Dig With It will be conversation with the band about their recent biography ‘So Much For The 30 Year Plan’. There will be a beautiful event dedicated to the late Belfast music manager Lyndon Stephens organized by Malojian and presented in association with Smarts. The Oh Yeah youth events team Volume Control team will host their new bands event on Instagram and there will be a ticketed event on Zoom with Sam Wickens and Becah.
The NI Music Prize will go ahead and will be streamed live on the Oh Yeah YouTube Channel on November 12th, and this years Legend Award recipient is posthumously to Bap Kennedy. Oh and you can still vote for your Oh Yeah Contender winner on the ATL website.
For full details of all live performances and events go soundofbelfast.com and youtube.com/user/ohyeahcentre.
