Label: Music
Music
Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland
As part of Fleadh 2026, the National Folk Orchestra played to a packed audience at the Ulster Hall, performing various pieces of music on the theme "By Lagan Stream". The music was a nod to Belfast's past and present, highlighting its industrial prowess, artistic achievements, as well as the challenging periods in its history. Our friends David and Purnika joined us for this. It was well worth the price of admission.
at Ulster Hall,
Music
Regard 23
Crystal Dawn, Tia Bow, Mark Hegan
Regard gigs are always unique and interesting, and this month's was even more so. It took place in Foxglove Alley, a cozy community garden maintained by volunteers in the Stranmillis area in Belfast. There was a light drizzle throughout the whole evening, but that did not deter the crowd from enjoying the excellent music performed by a trio of local artists.
at Foxglove Alley,
Music
Metallica
Support act: Gojira
Seeing Metallica live has been a bucketlist item for as long as I can remember. They were every bit as good as I hoped they would be. It was such an energetic show, especially after Gojira’s blistering opening set, but it also had sentimental moments, like the performance of Nothing Else Matters. After 3 rock shows back to back, I couldn’t feel my legs, my ears probably had permanent damage, and a neckbrace seemed like a good idea. It was all worth it.
at Principality Stadium,
Music
Alter Bridge
Support acts: Mammoth, Skindred
At this inaugural “Blackbird Festival” put together by themselves, Alter Bridge performed with an impressive lineup of support acts. Cardinal Black and Florence Black opened the afternoon, but I only went in after their sets had ended. I caught Mammoth and Skindred who were both impressive in their own right and got the crowd hyped up for the highlight of the evening. Being the presence of Mark and Myles seemlessly shredding the Blackbird solo alone was lifechanging to say the least.
at Cardiff Castle,
Music
Def Leppard
Support act: Extreme
Rock legends Def Leppard performed at Belsonic this year supported by Extreme. Nuno Bettencourt showed off his impressive guitar skills during Extreme’s set, which I quite enjoyed. Def Leppard’s headline performance was peppered with both new and old hits which got the crowd going.
at Ormeau Park,
Music
Big Thief
Support act: Ata Kak
Accompanied by Joshua Crumbly on bass, Big Thief performed a mix of new and old songs, including my favourites Mary and Not (which was every bit as powerful live as I had hoped it would be). They ended the show with a new song they had written only a few days ago.
at Barrowland Ballroom,
Music
Regard 22
Beckie Stew, Tyrell, Vera
The monthly Regard gigs are certainly becoming one of our favourite things to do. This month, the event took place in the beautiful Thread Studio in the Portview Trade Centre, featuring a spoken word performance by Beckie Stew and music by Tyrell and the band Vera—Sarah Toner (vocals), Darragh Tibbs (drums), Matt Holland (keys/guitar) and David Dalzell (bass).
at Thread Studio,
Music
London African Gospel Choir Celebrate 40 Years of Paul Simon’s Graceland
Another event in this year’s excellent Cathedral Quarter Music Festival line-up, the London African Gospel Choir performed Paul Simon’s Graceland album in its entirety. The first half of the evening was dedicated to the choir’s own music, inspired by African rhythms, at the end of which the audience was taught some dance moves. I remain staunchly godless, but this was a joyful experience with infectious energy. I had a big smile on my face the whole time.
at Mandela Hall,
Music
The Stray Gaiters: The Music of Neil Young
This event was part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (CQAF). The Stray Gaiters played some of Neil Young’s best-loved numbers, including some of my favourites (Down by the River, Cortez the Killer, Out on the Weekend).
at The Black Box,
Music
Regard 21
Ronan McSorley, Matt Holland, Rachel Hedley, Reylta
The monthly Regard gig, this time featuring the artists Reylta, Ronan McSorley, Matt Holland, and poetry by Rachel Hedley. All sets were original compositions by the artists; Reylta's set included some Irish songs, too. Photo courtesy of the Regard team.
at Rattlebag,
Music
David Byrne
It was such a pleasure to witness David, who I regard as a once-in-a-generation talent on his Who is The Sky Tour. The set featured music from Talking Heads and David’s solo career. The entire set was choreographed and energetically performed by his crew of musicians, singers, and dancers.
at O2 Apollo,
Music
Regard 20
Denisa Hasieberova, Catriona Gribben, Joseph Toman
The monthly Regard gig, featuring poetry readings by Denisa Hasieberova and music by Catriona Gribben and Joseph Toman. Joseph's energetic set was an interesting ending to the evening, and nicely complemented the laid back (yet emotional )poetry readings by Denisa and Irish music by Catriona. Photo courtesy of the Regard team.
at Sinnamon Coffee,
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Music
Celebrating 50 years of Bob Dylan’s Desire with Arborist
Belfast-based musician Arborist (Mark McCambridge) and his band performed Dylan’s album Desire, and a few songs from the back catalogue. Desire is my second favourite Dylan album, and it was a privilege and a pleasure to see it performed by talented local musicians.
at Oh Yeah Music Centre,
Music
Regard 18
Caitlin Young, Amanda Fawn, Maria Nickolay, JulieJulie
The monthly Regard gig featuring poetry and short stories by Caitlin Young, and music by Amanda Fawn, Maria Nickolay, and JulieJulie. This was our very first Regard. Our friends Mamina and Jonah are co-organisers of these monthly events which feature original music, poetry, and spoken word performances by local artists. Photo courtesy of the Regard team.
at Training for Women Network,
Music
Larkin Poe
Support act: Son Little
One of my favourite contemporary rock bands, Larkin Poe, blends great American music traditions such as the blues, country and bluegrass with signature flair. It was great to witness the Lovell sisters's guitar prowess up close.
at O2 Academy,
Music
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
Support acts: Naima Bock, Amble, Van Morrison, Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Neil Yound played the BST Hyde Park festival with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, on their "Love Earth" tour. Neil didn't disappoint; his guitar tone was as raw and dirty as ever, and they played all the way through to the curfew at 10.30pm. They had to cut the sound off as he was finishing "Rocking in the Free World".
at Hyde Park,
Music
Alanis Morissette
Support acts: Irish Woman in Harmony, Liz Phair
Alanis headlined the Belsonic festival. It was a rainy evening in Belfast, but the atmosphere was great and Alanis rocked the show. People were singing along and having fun.
at Ormeau Park,
Music
Bonnie Raitt
Support act: Martin Harley
The legendary Bonnie Raitt performed a number of classics from her enormous back catalogue. I especially liked the acoustic rendition of "Angel from Montgomery".
at Ulster Hall,
Music
Holy Holy: A Celebration of Bowie
Woody Woodmansey (from The Spiders from Mars) and Tony Visconti (Bowie's longtime producer) pay tribute to the late, great David Bowie, featuring Glen Gregory from Heaven 17 on vocals, and a brilliant crew of musicians in tow. They performed a delightful selection of Bowie’s hits.
at O2 Academy,
Music
Wes Banderson
Wes Banderson is a motley crew of musicians, led by Adam Znaidi, playing the music from Wes Anderson’s films. They covered a number of tracks from several Wes Anderson films with great precision, paying fitting tribute to composers such as Alexandre Desplat and Mark Mothersbaugh.
at The Black Box,
Music
André Rieu
The Dutch violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performed a delightful selection of classical tunes and renditions of modern popular music. The SSE Arena was sold out.
at SSE Arena,
Music
Myles Kennedy
Support act: Cardinal Black
I caught Myles Kennedy on his solo tour promoting the album Year of the Tiger. As a big fan of Alter Bridge, Myles is one of my favourite modern rock vocalists, and he is as every bit as powerful on stage performing his own material as he is when he is with the band.
at Limelight,
Music
Deep Purple
Support act: Reef
The =1 tour, including songs from the latest album, as well as their well-known hits.
at AO Arena,
Music
Bob Dylan
This was a phone-free show, and Bob performed a number of songs from his 2020 album Rough and Rowdy Ways, as well as a few classics. All new arrangements.
at M&S Bank Arena,
Music
The Bootleg Beatles
The tribute band performed a number of Beatles classics spanning the length of their recording career.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
Liam Gallagher
Support act: Kasabian
Liam performed a number of Oasis classics, and even a few Beatles songs.
at Boucher Playing Fields,
Music
Green Day
Support acts: Maid of Ace, Nothing But Thieves
Energetic show, with a setlist consisting of a mix of their biggest hits, and some songs from the latest album, Saviors.
at Bellahouston Park,
Music
Sting
Support acts: Germain Sisters, Blondie
Blondie opened the show with a short set, and then Sting performed a number of his iconic hits, including Roxanne, Englishman in New York, and Every Breath You Take.
at Ormeau Park,
Music
Eric Clapton
Support act: Andy Fairweather Low
Guitar God Eric Clapton did not disappoint. I prefer his older material, the heavier, bluesier stuff, before he went all pop. This show included both.
at Co-Op Live Arena,
Music
UK Pink Floyd Experience
The tribute band performed a number of Pink Floyd’s best loved songs. This was my second time seeing them. Echoes was notably absent from the setlist this time.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
The Boss kept going for almost 3 hours, performing a number of iconic hits.
at Boucher Playing Fields,
Music
May The Fourth Be With You
A celebration of the music of John Williams, specifically his work on the Star Wars films, performed by the Ulster Orchestra.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
Support act: Mammoth
Slash and his new backing band, The Conspirators, with the angelic voice of Myles Kennedy in the lead, performed a number of songs from Slash’s solo albums, as well as some Guns N’ Roses classics.
at Resorts World Arena,
Music
The Two of Us: Songs of Lennon and McCartney
Featuring songs from the Lennon and McCartney songbook, performed by a number of artists, backed by the Ulster Orchestra.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
Norah Jones
Supported by a stripped-down band, Norah performed a number of her best loved songs.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
UK Pink Floyd Experience
The tribute band is made up of a great lineup of excellent musicians. They did the music justice. I was quite excited to see one of the very first shows where they had added Echoes to the setlist.
at Waterfront Hall,
Music
Bowie Experience
The tribute band performed an explosive set of hits to a very enthusiastic audience. The show was opened by the local band Lonely Astronaut.
at Ulster Hall,
Music
Hats Off To Led Zeppelin
Support act: Lonely Astronaut
The tribute band performed an explosive set of hits to a very enthusiastic audience. The show was opened by the local band Lonely Astronaut.
at Empire Music Hall,
Music
Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
A string quartet—all local musicians—performed acoustic renditions of Fleetwood Mac classics at Belfast’s iconic St. Anne’s Cathedral. This was a special show.
at St. Anne's Cathedral,
Music
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Support act: The Magic Mod
This was uncharacteristically chilled out for a BJM show. There were no fights on stage!
at Limelight,
Music
The Cure
Robert Smith and the band performed a number of songs from their new album, as well as some fan favourites.
at SSE Arena,
Music
The Mersey Beatles
The tribute band performed a number of favourites spanning the entire recording career of The Beatles.
at Ulster Hall,
Music
Guns N' Roses
Support acts: Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown, Wolfmother
I flew to Singapore with a friend to see GNR. This was my first time going to a major gig.
at Changi Exhibition Centre,
