• JD Twitch: A Hero’s Tribute in Belfast This Saturday

    August 6, 2025 - By 

    This Saturday, 9th August, Belfast gathers to honour a singular presence in underground music, JD Twitch, aka Keith McIvor, with LOVE 2 JD TWITCH, a one-night-only celebration taking place across Lavery’s, Woodworkers and the Front Terrace. Keith isn’t just a beloved figure in electronic music. He is one of the scene’s true architects. As half of Optimo (Espacio), he carved out a fearless legacy by blending genres long before it was algorithmically encouraged. A political soul in a dancefloor vessel, JD Twitch used every tool available – vinyl, volume, vision and beyond – to show us that clubs could be…

  • Body & Soul Announce Second Wave of Acts

    March 30, 2016 - By 

    With the likes of Floating Points, Mercury Rev and Sun Kil Moon already announced, the second wave of acts have been revealed for this year’s Body & Soul Festival. Set to return to Ballinlough Castle in Co. Westmeath during the Summer Solstice Weekend of June 17-19, The Gloaming, Hudson Mohawke, Neon Indian (pictured above), Optimo, Gold Panda, Bleeding Heart Pigeons, David August, Brian Deady and Holly Macve are the latest acts to join the bill. Check out the current line-up below and go here to buy tickets.

  • AVA Festival 2015

    June 1, 2015 - By 

    Well, here we are.  After months of anticipation and the mandatory, giddy daily countdown, the moment has arrived for Belfast’s inaugural AVA (Audio Visual Arts) Festival.  We’ve entered the Titanic Qtr and are making our way to the goliath T13 warehouse and playing spot the raver as we increase our pace, beyond excited for what we’ll see when we get there.  When we do, a multitude of coaches indicates that although it won’t kick off for some time yet, there’ll be a sizeable crowd inside.  There is, to our relief, a mass of music fans buzzing around the gargantuan space.…

  • Festival Preview: AVA Festival

    May 17, 2015 - By 

    Billed as a “one day-&-night grass roots Audio Visual Arts festival”, AVA Festival aims to promote the wealth of talent in Northern Ireland’s electronic music and visual arts scene. Taking place in the Titanic Quarter’s formidable T13 Building on Saturday, May 30, the one day event will be split into two broad sections: a daytime conference from 11am-4pm with a series of keynote speakers and panels, and an evening showcase from 4pm with some of the stars of Northern Ireland’s impressively healthy electronic and club scene. The likes of Bicep, Space Dimension Controller and Optimo are all involved in what…