Morricone And More

Yesterday, we met in the grand surrounds of the Elmwood Hall, Belfast to witness the launch of the Ulster Bank Festival At Queen's. There was sublime music, expansive speeches and a chance to rummage through a dense programme.

At times like these, I always make a mental note to broaden my cultural horizons, to attend some theatre, to sample a few literary works, maybe even a bit of that classical caper. Inevitably, though, I fix on the music section, to see that Martha Wainwright, Elbow and Glen Hansard are in town, that there's an extra Morricone date and Orchestra Baobab will enrich your soul. The Jonny Greenwood special is also rather intriguing.

At the launch, Lord Mayor Tom Hartley repeated his wish that Belfast might soon be regarded as the city of festivals. It's a likely idea.