Belfast Music Bus Tour

Newly appointed as UNESCO City of Music, Belfast is home to some of the world’s most talented musicians and iconic music venues. What better to explore the city than to take in the sights through a musical lens as your local expert guide shares lesser-known facts and which won’t be found easily online. Hear colourful tales that have been passed down through generations with special mentions of The Undertones, Ruby Murray and David Holmes, to name but a few.

The journey will be accompanied by an especially curated multi-genre playlist with songs to illustrate the story of Belfast’s thriving music scene from generations past up until the present day. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy tunes and tales by way of awesome guitar players, traditional and folk to punk and Hollywood soundtracks and more!

Whether you’re a Vanatic, Snow Patrol obsessed, a BICEP raver or an all round music enthusiast, the Belfast Music Bus Tour has something for everyone. Hop on board to discover the music, the artists and the landscape that have brought character to the city. Recognised as one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Things to Do in Northern Ireland, this is an experience that you won’t want to miss.

The tour group will congregate at Oh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter for a sharp departure at 2pm. The tour is scheduled to last two-and-a-half hours, however is subject to variation depending on traffic conditions.

Some stops along the way include the beautifully restored Ulster Hall, home to the Ulster Orchestra and also host to Led Zeppelin in 1971 for the world premiere of ‘Stairway to Heaven’; the site of the Maritime Hotel, where Van Morrison and Them made their debut in 1964 and the Belfast Waterfront, scene of the pivotal ‘Yes’ concert in 1998 with Ash and U2.

There will be two fifteen minute breaks at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and Eastside Visitor Centre, giving you a chance to explore some of Belfast's key cultural hubs or grab a photo at the nearby murals of local music icons.

As you venture beyond the city centre around parts of North, South, East and West Belfast, you will get a real feel of the diversity of Belfast’s musical history from blues to Irish traditional music and beyond. Experience the unique opportunity to hear Van Morrison’s ‘Cyprus Avenue’ and ‘Orangefield’ come to life when you find yourself in the very spot that inspired the lyrics. You will also have plenty of opportunities to take some memorable photographs along the way.

After an informative ride throughout the city, the bus will drop you off back at Oh Yeah where you can enjoy a complimentary drink of your choice and browse the NI Music Exhibition free of charge. The exhibition displays legendary items such as Gary Lightbody’s guitar used to write ‘Chasing Cars’, Gary Moore’s iconic barbed wire patterned suit which he wore as part of an amnesty international show, and a brick from the original Maritime Hotel building, plus many more pieces of treasured music memorabilia.

You can expect a few of the stories of Belfast’s renowned rockstars and ravers told on the trip to touch on some adult themes. For this reason, the Belfast Music Bus Tour is not recommended for under 14s.

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