Greetings from The Wolf & Seahorse
The Belfast Photo Festival launches Thursday across the city, open submissions in Botanic Gardens, juried by curators from MoMA and the Centre Pompidou.
Amanda Shires and Teddy Thompson both pass through on the same Thursday night. Halina Rice plays Mandela Hall on Friday with spatial audio and full AV.
Curepedia lands at the Empire on Friday: Simon Price on The Cure, plus Spellbound DJ set, well-timed given the band headline Belsonic later this month.
Africa Day is free at City Hall on Saturday. Eric Bibb closes the week at the Empire on Monday.
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Belfast Photo Festival 2026
Launches Thursday 4 June · Multiple venues · Free (open-air exhibition)
The Belfast Photo Festival runs 4–30 June, with this week marking the launch. This year's theme, Horizons, positions photography at a threshold moment around AI, algorithmic images, and what documentary photography means right now. The headline open-air exhibition in Botanic Gardens draws from an open submission juried by curators from MoMA, the Centre Pompidou, TIME, and Vogue. There's also a Camera Obsolete? installation inviting audiences to dismantle old cameras, and a free symposium later in the run on AI, disinformation, and photographic ethics. Worth checking the full programme at belfastphotofestival.com.
Curepedia: The Story of The Cure
Friday 5 June · 20:00 · Belfast Empire Music Hall
Simon Price wrote the 2023 encyclopaedia Curepedia: An A-Z of The Cure, and this evening at the Empire is him in conversation with Joe Nawaz, followed by his Spellbound DJ set covering goth, post-punk, new romantic, and synth from 1979 to 1989. It's the right moment for it. The Cure headline Belsonic in Belfast on 28 June, and this is the best possible warm-up.
Amanda Shires
Thursday 4 June · 19:00 · Limelight 2
Grammy-winning Americana musician and co-founder of The Highwomen on the Streetlights and Stars European tour. She's playing Belfast, Limerick, and Dublin across three consecutive nights; Limelight 2 is intimate enough that it feels like a proper gig rather than a show.
Teddy Thompson: Never Be The Same Tour
Thursday 4 June · 20:00 · The Black Box
Thompson's first original album in six years, Never Be The Same, is the basis for this tour. Son of Richard and Linda Thompson, his own voice runs warmer and more country-leaning. The Black Box on a Thursday is the right scale for it. (Note: clashes with Amanda Shires — your call.)
Halina Rice: Immersive Live Set
Friday 5 June · 20:00 · Mandela Hall
London-based electronic producer Halina Rice builds her live sets around spatial audio, 360 visuals, and atmospheric intensity. Her third album EVOLVE came out in late 2024; this is the touring form of it. Mandela Hall is a good room for exactly this kind of show.
Carole King's Tapestry
Saturday 6 June · 20:00 and Sunday 7 June · 19:00 · Belfast Empire Music Hall
Two nights at the Empire: the Laurel Canyon scene first — The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, The Doors — then a full performance of Tapestry. The right structure for this kind of evening.
Eric Bibb
Monday 8 June · 19:30 · Belfast Empire Music Hall
American blues guitarist on the One Mississippi UK and Ireland tour, supporting what he's described as his most musically ambitious record yet. Several UK dates on this tour have already sold out. Book ahead.
Teenage Kicks
Monday 8 June · 19:00 · Ulster Hall
An annual night at Ulster Hall named after one of Belfast's great songs. Check the Ulster Hall website for this year's lineup.
Celtic Media Festival
Tuesday 2 June – Wednesday 4 June · The MAC, Royal Avenue
The 47th Celtic Media Festival returns to Belfast for the first time in 23 years, wrapping up this week at the MAC. Panel sessions, masterclasses, and the Torc Awards for excellence in media production across the Celtic nations.
Black Moon
Tuesday 2 June · 19:00 · The Black Box
Black Moon is a night for and by adults with learning disabilities run by the Black Box arts venue. The event provides an authentic night out experience giving people a chance to socialise in a cool, modern environment, meet new people, have a dance and have a laugh!
Celtic Heart Experience
Wednesday 3 June · 19:30 · Waterfront Hall Studio
A spoken-word-led piece about Belfast: love, tradition, and resilience, staged in the Waterfront Hall Studio. The Studio suits material that rewards closer attention.
Northern Soul: Still Burning
Friday 5 June · Queen's Film Theatre
Director Alan Byron's documentary charts Northern Soul from its working-class origins in the late 1960s — rare American soul, Wigan Casino, the whole scene — through to the present day. A sequel to Keep on Burning, and a proper film for anyone who grew up on this music or wants to understand it.
Africa Day Celebration
Saturday 6 June · 12:00 – 18:00 · Belfast City Hall · Free
Africa Rising 2026 is the theme this year. Free entry, live music, dance, food, fashion, and community performances at City Hall from noon to 6pm. One of the better free Saturdays on the Belfast calendar.
Palestine Comedy Club: Screening and Q&A
Monday 8 June · 19:00 · The Black Box
A screening and Q&A at the Black Box. Check the listing for the full programme.
Craic the Gong
Wednesday 3 June · 19:30 · The Spaniard
Interactive comedy gong show at The Spaniard: the audience gongs performers who fail to generate laughs. Mix of new and established acts. You get out what you put in.
A Taste of Italy
Friday 5 June · 19:00 · Bullitt Hotel
Expert-led wine tasting through Italian regions — Piedmont, Veneto, Tuscany — with food pairings and tasting notes. The Bullitt on a Friday evening.
Introduction to Oil Painting with Hannah O'Hagan
Wednesday 3 June · The Duncairn
An introduction to oil painting for all skill levels at The Duncairn. Check their website for the specific time and booking.
The First Slip
Wednesday 3 June · 17:00 · Green Room (Black Box) · Free
Free live music in the Green Room. A low-commitment Wednesday afternoon option.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Belfast check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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