• Hannah McPhillimy: Freedom Songs @ Crumlin Road Gaol

    November 25, 2013 - By 

    Belfast Music Week has been host to many an interesting gig this year, from bookstores to bars, from balconies to boats, there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of quirky or fascinating venues, and now Hannah McPhillimy finds herself playing at The Crumlin Road Gaol. In conjunction with No More Traffik, ‘Freedom Songs’ is less of a traditional performance for the Belfast based singer/songwriter and more of an interactive journey through history. Tonight’s show is down in the depths of the now renovated and rejuvenated jail where Hannah uses all three corners of the triangular room to tell a capella…

  • In Photos: The Thin Air Showcase feat. Our Krypton Son, Arborist, The Wood Burning Savages & Rory Nellis

    November 18, 2013 - By 

    Belfast-based photographer Diarmuid Kennedy was in attendance to capture our showcase at The Pavilion, Belfast as part of this year’s Belfast Music Week. Performing on the night were Rory Nellis, a fast-rising singer-songwriter – also frontman with Belfast-based indie pop four-piece Seven Summits – impressively progressing Derry-based quartet The Wood Burning Savages, the wonderfully Autumnal song of Belfast band Arborist and the ever magnificent Our Krypton Son AKA Derry singer-songwriter Chris McConaghy. Check out Diarmuid’s photos from the night below.

  • The First Time: David C Clements

    November 14, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of his appearance at the Belfast Music Week showcase at the Limelight tonight, alt-folk singer-songwriter David C Clements is the latest local artist to allow Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty (responsible for the wonderful portrait photo above) insight into the “firsts” of their listening, loving and making lives. First album you bought? Bathroom floor by Booley First single you bought? ‘Spaceman’ by Babylon Zoo First live concert/gig? Phantom of the Opera in the Point, but my first actual gig was Stereophonics supported by Turin Brakes. First album you properly loved? Biffy Clyro – Blackened Sky   First artist/band to change your music-listening/making life?…

  • Gary Lightbody releases feature-length statement on NI Music Prize

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its inaugural launch at Belfast’s Mandela Hall tonight as part of this year’s Belfast Music Week, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody has released a feature-length statement about the NI Music Prize. The Bangor singer-songwriter – also frontman with supergroup Tired Pony, who are vying for the annual album prize – wrote: “Firstly I’m delighted that Tired Pony have been nominated for the Northern Irish Music Prize. I am gutted that I’m not going to be there tonight to see who wins. Now let me make the case for everyone else but us on this fantastic and diverse list….…

  • Video exclusive: Seven Summits – Little Twist

    November 11, 2013 - By 

    Just over a year since the release of their stellar second album Fossils, Belfast-based indie rock band Seven Summits have unveiled their ridiculously infectious new single ‘Little Twist’ – and we have an exclusive first look at the video. Directed by the band’s guitarist and keyboardist Dominic Coyle, the black and white video features, among other things, some of the most hypnotising slow-motion flapping of the lips that has ever been committed to film. The single – released as part of Belfast Music Week – was recorded by Phil D’Alton and mastered by Jon Moorehead. You can stream/buy it via…

  • Therapy? – Infernal Love Listening Party

    November 6, 2013 - By 

    On Wednesday, November 13, we will be holding a special Belfast Music Week listening party of Infernal Love, the landmark third album by Northern Irish alt-rock heroes Therapy?. Originally released in June 1995, the eleven-track release – featuring singles including ‘Stories’, ‘Loose’ and ‘Diane’ – it was the final album to feature the original line-up of Cairns, McKeegan and Ewing and is considered by many to be the band’s true masterstroke. Starting at 12.30pm in Laverys Back Belfast, the band’s bassist Michael ‘The Evil Priest’ McKeegan will be joining us for an exclusive play through of the forthcoming remastered version…

  • The Thin Air Belfast Music Week Showcase: Our Krypton Son, Arborist, The Wood Burning Savages & Rory Nellis

    November 6, 2013 - By 

    As part of this year’s Belfast Music Week we will hold a special showcase featuring some of the country’s finest songwriting talent at Belfast’s Pavilion on Wednesday, November 13. Headlining by Derry-based singer-songwriter Chris McConaghy AKA Our Krypton Son (pictured), the bill will also feature fast-rising Belfast-based band Arborist, Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savages and frontman of Belfast indie rock band Seven Summits, Rory Nellis. Go here for the show’s Facebook event page. Doors at 8pm, £5 in.

  • City Council release statement regarding Van Morrison concert

    October 30, 2013 - By 

    Belfast City Council have released a statement concerning the delegation of tickets for a Freedom of the City concert by Van Morrison at the Waterfront Hall on November 15. The statement has arrived following a backlash from some members of the public due to one fifth of the tickets for the free concert having been held back for “VIP” guests. Read the statement below: “Belfast City Council wishes to clarify its position in relation to the Van Morrison ‘Freedom of the City’ event at the Waterfront Hall on Friday, 15 November. This is an official ceremony to confer Freedom of the City…

  • Line-up announced for Belfast Music Week showcase

    October 28, 2013 - By 

    Belfast indie-pop band Go Wolf, fast-rising Derry collective Little Bear and indie rock quartet Seven Summits (pictured) are amongst the twelve acts confirmed to play this year’s Belfast Music Week showcase at Belfast’s Limelight Complex on November 12. Set to be a showcase of this year’s proceedings, the line-up for the showcase was hand-picked by a broad panel of industry figures from Northern Ireland and further afield. According to the official Belfast Music Week website, “it’s a chance to see legends and breaking talent, and to appreciate the ongoing success stories and a musical city that continues to make us…

  • Belfast Music Week 2013 launched

    September 18, 2013 - By 

    The fourth annual Belfast Music Week was officially launched at a ceremony at Belfast’s Waterfront this afternoon. Featuring performances from Alana Henderson and the Emerald Armada, the opening ceremony including speeches by Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, broadcaster and DJ Rigsy and Belfast Music Week co-ordinator Stuart Bailie. Amongst the announcements for the annual showcase, set to take place from November 11-15 across 70 venues in Belfast, Van Morrison (above) was unveiled as the main event. Following Belfast City Council’s decision on Monday night to grant the Freedom of Belfast to the 68 year old East Belfast native, it…