Does Belfast Rock?

I had an interesting discussion on Radio Ulster.s Evening Extra Last night. The feature was prompted by the news that Tourism Ireland aims to celebrate the musical connections of Belfast in its strategy for the new year. And the scepticism has started already. Do we really deserve to talk ourselves up thus?

Of course we can. We have delivered so much great music to the world's stages. Our live music circuit is improving all the time and most weeks, it's impossible to see all the good stuff as the listings are so loaded. The festivals are on the increase, standards are impressive and we're learning how to present ourselves for tourists. In return, they seem to enjoy their time here. Apart from when they meet the mithering defeatists, who refuse to understand that the city is on the rise. Down with the cultural cringe, I say. It's time to steer for the bright side of the road.

(You can hear the feature here for the next 6 days... 45 minutes into the programme)