City of Music
Belfast Music Guide
Discover Belfast’s famous faces and the best places for traditional music, live music events or something a little different, with our ultimate guide to the city’s music scene.
Top 2019 Events
Belfast's calendar is jam packed with big, annual events, including concerts, gigs and music festivals. Here's our guide of the top events not to miss this year.
Traditional Irish Music
Sipping a drink in a crowded pub while listening to live music is a must to tick off your Belfast bucket list. Here’s our guide to the best venues for traditional Irish music.
Music Legends
Home to names such as Snow Patrol, Two Door Cinema Club, The Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, and Van Morrison, Belfast lacks nothing when it comes to musical claims to fame.
The city is also dotted with venues that have hosted historic concerts. Led Zepplin played the first show of their world tour ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at the Ulster Hall in 1971; in 1963 The Beatles made their Northern Ireland debut at the King's Hall, where Nirvana played their last indoor gig in 1992; and the MTV European Music Awards were hosted here in 2011.
Gigs & Concerts
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EventCathedral Quarter Arts Festival 2019
gps_fixed 0.09KM02-12 MayCathedral Quarter Arts Festival comes out swinging for its big 2-0!
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Belsonic 2019
gps_fixed 1.31KM12-28 JunBelsonic returns to the idyllic setting of Ormeau Park, as it brings a host of international headline acts to the heart of Belfast.
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The Illegals featuring Niamh Kavanagh
gps_fixed 1.47KMSat, 04 MayAfter two successful sell-out show last year, The Illegals, featuring Niamh Kavanagh will return to Crumlin Road Gaol to perform a special t...
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Hungry Heart
gps_fixed 0.94KMFri, 17 MayThe world’s only Bruce Springsteen-dedicated club night is making its Belfast debut at the legendary Empire Music Hall.
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I Love The 80's
gps_fixed 0.66KMSat, 27 AprThe Hair! The Fashion! The Music! What’s not to love about the 80s?!
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Black Box EventThe Green Room Sessions
gps_fixed 0.55KM08 Feb-31 JanThe Green Room Sessions are an opportunity to catch one-off performances from guest artists as well as regular slots from an esteemed cast o...
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Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute
gps_fixed 8.99KMSat, 25 MayEnjoy a fantastic night at The Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute show at La Mon Hotel and Country Club.
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Men of North Country
gps_fixed 0.63KMSat, 04 MayAcid Jazz powerhouses, Men of North Country come to play Belfast for the very first time, brought to you by Superfly Funk and Soul Belfast,...
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NYOS Jazz Orchestra with Yazz Ahmed
gps_fixed 0.81KMMon, 22 JulNYOS Jazz Orchestra continues to enjoy prestigious performance opportunities nationally and internationally under the directorship of Malcol...
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Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin
gps_fixed 0.81KM15-16 MayHysterical and historical, take a raucous journey through 18th Century London, New York speakeasies, the Australian bush and the jungles of...
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AVA Festival
gps_fixed 3.09KM31 May-01 JunAVA is an audio-visual arts festival that celebrates, amplifies and develops the strong current of electronic music and digital visual arts.
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The King's Singers
gps_fixed 0.72KMSat, 22 JunThe King's Singers will be performing their only concert on the island of Ireland in 2019 at Belfast Cathedral on Saturday 22 June.
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David Bowie Tribute Night
gps_fixed 1.77KMSat, 04 MayStuart Roach as David Bowie is sure to be an unmissable night as he turns himself into the music legend on Saturday 4 May.
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Real Sketchy
gps_fixed 0.55KM07 Feb-05 DecAlways a great excuse to chill out, enjoy an exhibition, drink and draw after enjoying Belfast’s late night art scene!
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Arborist With Strings
gps_fixed 11.72KMFri, 24 MayArborist released their debut album Home Burial in 2016 to critical acclaim. It features lush strings and brass as well as the haunting voca...
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SSE Arena, Belfast EventThe Belfast International Tattoo 2019
gps_fixed 1.29KM06-07 SepPlans for the 2019 Belfast International Tattoo have just been unveiled with bands and performers travelling to the event from four differen...
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Swingtime Starlets
gps_fixed 11.72KMFri, 31 MayThe Swingtime Starlets are an all-professional close harmony trio, who perform songs from the 40's Wartime Era, the Hollywood Golden Age and...
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Black Box EventCarla Dal Forno
gps_fixed 0.55KMThu, 09 MayIn partnership with Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, the Black Box is delighted to present Carla dal Forno.
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Linley Hamilton Quartet
gps_fixed 11.72KMFri, 03 MayJazz trumpeter and BBC Radio Ulster broadcaster Linley Hamilton has pulled together an exceptional jazz quartet featuring two award winning...
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I Love Country!
gps_fixed 0.66KMSat, 11 MayLet those Country Roads take you to the Ulster Orchestra this May for a fantastic mix of old and new country hits!
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CHER
gps_fixed 1.29KMSun, 03 NovHere we go again tour. Her first Belfast show in over 15 years!
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MAC EventKeep Telling Me Lies
gps_fixed 0.81KM09-11 MayOf all the iconic buildings in Belfast, the now derelict Floral Hall stands as a monument to the life, love, loss and music of the Showband...
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Lisburn Harmony Ladies Choir Does Pop
gps_fixed 11.72KMFri, 10 MayMulti award winning local group Lisburn Harmony Ladies Choir have been in the studio producing a new CD.
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Black Box EventLuka Bloom
gps_fixed 0.55KMSun, 28 AprWith a poet’s heart and a rockster’s soul, Luka Bloom is regarded as one of Ireland’s most respected contemporary folk artists, having produ...
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Kaz Hawkins
gps_fixed 0.81KMSun, 09 JunKaz Hawkins returns to the MAC where she sold out in 2018 with her hard hitting show My Life And I. This time Kaz is bringing new material,...
Take a Tour
Take a bus journey through the heart of this rock and roll city. Sit back, relax, and enjoy tunes and tales from Them and Van Morrison, by way of awesome guitar players, traditional and folk, to punk rock and Hollywood soundtracks.
From the venue where Van Morrison made his debut, to the place where The Undertones recorded ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978, the tour finishes at the NI Music Exhibition in the Cathedral Quarter.
Live Music Sessions
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Errigle Inn
gps_fixed 2.46KMServing fabulous food and drink, The Errigle Inn features five bars, roof gardens, a beer garden and live televised sporting games.
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John Hewitt
gps_fixed 0.59KMA unique venue in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, you are guaranteed a very warm Belfast welcome at The John Hewitt.
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Voodoo
gps_fixed 0.24KMVoodoo is well established as a Belfast hotspot, adding a bit of spice for those who like things a little different.
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The Points
gps_fixed 0.6KMAt the heart of Belfast, The Points creates a truly Irish experience that reflects the city’s culture and history.
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Horatio Todd's
gps_fixed 4.25KMVisiting East Belfast? Then you have to dine or have a drink in the award-winning Horatio Todd's Bar and Restaurant.
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Cloth Ear Cloth Ear
gps_fixed 0.56KMThe Cloth Ear is the five-star Merchant Hotel's cosy public bar in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
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Whites Tavern and Vandal
gps_fixed 0.42KMBuilt in 1630, Whites Tavern is one of Belfast’s oldest pubs.
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Filthy McNastys
gps_fixed 0.56KMFeaturing the Secret Garden beer garden, live music, DJs, cocktails and open mic nights, Filthy McNastys is one of the biggest live entertai...
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Belfast Empire Belfast Empire
gps_fixed 0.94KMA converted church in the heart of Belfast, The Empire hosts regular Music Hall gigs and comedians from the UK and international comedy circ...
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Henrys
gps_fixed 0.38KMHenrys, named after historic Belfast figure and United Irish man Henry Joy McCracken, has been a pub for over 100 years. Call into this Joys...
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Sunflower Public House Sunflower Public House
gps_fixed 0.75KMA simple corner pub free of gimmicks or themes, and music is very much part of its life.
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McHugh's Bar & Restaurant
gps_fixed 0.65KMLocated in the trendy Cathedral Quarter, McHughs is housed in one of Belfast's oldest buildings, dating back to 1711.
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Robinsons Bar Robinsons Bar
gps_fixed 0.34KMOne of Belfast's oldest and biggest bars, Robinsons hosts five venues under one roof.
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Deanes Deli Vin Cafe
gps_fixed 0.28KMCafe by day serving breakfast, fabulous sandwiches, lunch specials and an afternoon menu. It transforms by night into a candlelit Tapas Bar.
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Dirty Onion / Yardbird Dirty Onion and Yardbird
gps_fixed 0.58KMThe Dirty Onion is Belfast's oldest building, with real Irish music and craic seven nights a week.
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Kelly's Cellars
gps_fixed 0.34KMOne of Belfast's oldest traditional Irish pubs, Kelly's Cellars offers live traditional music, pints of Guinness and Irish stew.
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Limelight Complex Limelight Complex
gps_fixed 0.48KMEstablished as one of the city's main venues for live music, hosting international touring acts, sell out club nights and local live bands.
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Duke of York
gps_fixed 0.59KMNestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke offers a traditional Belfast welcome, craic and music.
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Deanes Deli Bistro Deanes Deli Bistro
gps_fixed 0.28KMDeanes Deli Bistro can be found on one of Belfast's most bustling streets, close to the Ulster Hall, the BBC and all the major hotels.
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Alibi Alibi
gps_fixed 1.01KMLocated on Bradbury Place, in the heart of Belfast's Queen's Quarter, Alibi offers the very best in liquor, food and music.
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Cabaret Supper Club
gps_fixed 0.16KMSumptuous food, exceptional service and wondrous entertainment.
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Perch Rooftop Bar
gps_fixed 0.26KMBelfast's highest rooftop bar, The Perch is located in the historic Linen Quarter, beside sister bars Rita's, Sweet Afton and Chinawhite.
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Berts Jazz Bar & Restaurant
gps_fixed 0.44KMBerts encapsulates the sleek elegance of the art-deco era, complemented by live jazz, fabulous cocktails and mouth watering food.
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Rita's Belfast Rita's Belfast
gps_fixed 0.25KMOne of Belfast's most lavish cocktail dens, join Rita's talented bartenders and enjoy one of their many gins, a cocktail or light bite.
The Belfast Playlist
Plug into the sound of something local. Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre has curated a Spotify playlist of music from the city and across Northern Ireland.
As well as a few classics, it features upcoming artists and songs inspired from a love for the city these artists call home.
