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Northern Ireland’s popular musicians have met with local political leaders to endorse Oh Yeah, a dedicated music centre in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
The event took place on 31 August at the Oh Yeah headquarters in Gordon Street, Belfast. Among those present was Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol (a board member of Oh Yeah), Tim Wheeler from Ash and Foy Vance. Unsigned acts such as the Fools, Oonagh Clarke and Robert Holmes also performed.
Gary Lightbody with Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots.
The event was attended by Stormont Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots and Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers. Representatives from all the main political parties took part along with funding bodies and stakeholders.
The idea of the Oh Yeah music centre came out of a conversation between Snow Patrol and local music industry people in December 2005.
It was constituted as a not-for-profit company in January 2007 and Oh Yeah took up residence at the Outlet Building, the former home of Outlet Records, two months ago.
As well as taking the guests on a tour of the three story building, Oh Yeah unveiled a wall of fame – rock memorabilia celebrating over 40 years of NI musical success.
Stuart Baile from Oh Yeah commented:
"This is a thrilling time for Northern Ireland music. Snow Patrol, Ash, Duke Special, Foy Vance and David Holmes are all making great advances on an international level. The likes of Van Morrison and Paul Brady are regarded as classic names.
The Oh Yeah vision is to help the next generation of musical contenders and to grow an industry around this amazing natural resource."
Gary Lightbody said:
"What Snow Patrol would have given for the advice of professionals; the space to rehearse or cut demos; a place to hang out and listen to music and meet people that might one day change your life … I’d have loved a place like the Outlet Building to hang out in, where I could meet kids as crazy about music as I was and start a band. Or just to have someone to talk to about how or where to begin."
Tim Wheeler added:
"I think this is a fantastic, long-overdue idea for Belfast. The music scene in Belfast needs a hub like this. As a musician from Northern Ireland I remember how difficult it was starting out.
Finding places to play and meet like-minded musicians was incredibly hard. With the right conditions, Belfast could become known as a famous music city."
More information from ohyeahbelfast.com
Since moving into the Outlet Building, Oh Yeah has been host to a series of music industry seminars and concerts. It has given space to the Belfast Carnival organisers and has hosted meetings with Channel 4 Talent and Common Purpose.
Bands such as Oppenheimer and The Fools have been using the facilities to writer and rehearse new material.
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