Greetings from The Wolf & Seahorse
Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Roachford and Ruby Turner at the Waterfront.
Belsonic opens its season on Friday with the Farmer's Bash at Ormeau Park. Then Saturday: Wynona Bleach launch their Belfast-made album at the Limelight.
Lush Classical brings the Ulster Orchestra outdoors to Custom House Square, while the Belfast Photo Festival gallery trail runs across the city. On top of all this there are at least four tribute acts on, if you're keeping count 😉
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
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Tuesday 9 June, 19:00 · Waterfront Hall
The full orchestra, plus Roachford and Ruby Turner as guest vocalists. Holland has been doing this long enough that the shows have settled into something reliable and warm — a big room full of people who are going to have a genuinely good time. Roachford on "Cuddly Toy" with a twenty-piece band behind him is not a bad way to start a week.
Wynona Bleach: Animal Style Album Launch
Saturday 13 June, 19:00 · Limelight 2
Animal Style was recorded in a disused ballroom above a working men's club in Belfast and mixed in Battery Studios in London. Released two weeks ago on Fierce Panda Records and Nashville's Propeller Sound Recordings, after the band came home from 23 shows in the US. The album is described as love songs, hate songs, and songs about cats. The Limelight show is the Belfast launch. Worth being in the room for this one.
Lush Classical
Saturday 13 June, 18:00 · Custom House Square
The Ulster Orchestra playing thirty years' worth of dance music anthems outdoors in the city centre, curated by Dave Seaman and Steve Anderson of brothers in Rhythm. Lovely Laura on Sax and the O'Hara Sisters performing alongside the orchestra. This is the 10-year anniversary of Lush! Classical and it's a proper outdoor event. Tickets at £53.90.
Kingfishr
Tuesday 9 June, 20:00 · The SSE Arena
Kingfishr at the SSE Arena on the same night as Jools Holland at the Waterfront, which sums up the week ahead. A large venue show for a band with a fanbase that fills them.
A Country Night in Nashville
Thursday 11 June · Ulster Hall
A country music celebration featuring hits from Cash, Parton, Musgraves and more, coming directly from the Royal Albert Hall. Timing to be confirmed — check the Ulster Hall website before you go.
BBC Radio 3 Free Concert
Friday 12 June, 19:00 · Ulster Hall
Free concert at the Ulster Hall. The BBC Radio 3 series doesn't miss often and the venue is one of the best in the city. Free is worth putting in your diary.
Belsonic: The Farmer's Bash
Friday 12 June, 17:30 · Ormeau Park
Belsonic opens its 2026 season with the Farmer's Bash at Ormeau Park. Lisa McHugh, Boyzlife, Garron Noone, Mark McCabe, Danny Byrne Band, Hugo Duncan, Derek Ryan and Whistlin' Donkeys across the evening. A proper outdoor event that knows its audience and delivers.
Mammoth + Kill the Lights
Friday 12 June, 19:00 · Limelight 1
Kill the Lights featuring the ex-Bullet For My Valentine rhythm section (Michael "Moose" Thomas and Jason "Jay" James), playing Limelight 1 the night before Wynona Bleach take over the room next door.
Harvest: A Tribute to Neil Young
Saturday 13 June, 20:00 · Mandela Hall
Neil Young tribute at Mandela Hall. If Saturday is already too busy with choices and you want something settled and familiar, Mandela Hall does this well.
The Jazz Room
Friday 12 June, 18:00 · The Belfast Empire
Jazz evening at the Empire on Botanic Avenue. A Friday alternative to the Belsonic and Limelight options.
Belfast Book Festival: Off The Scéal
Thursday 11 June, 20:00 · Crescent Arts Centre
The Belfast Book Festival closes with a multilingual open mic night celebrating linguistic diversity. Free or low cost; check the festival programme for details.
Belfast Photo Festival: Gallery Trail
Saturday 13 + Sunday 14 June, 11:00 · City-centre galleries and street
Self-guided and guided trails connecting festival venues, with outdoor installations across the city centre. A good Saturday morning option before the evening kicks off. Family-friendly and free to walk.
Normal Cinema Club: The Python Hunt
Tuesday 9 June, 18:30 · The Black Box
Film event at the Black Box in the Cathedral Quarter. Worth checking the programme directly for what's screening.
Belfast Learning Festival: Every Word That Ever Existed
Tuesday 9 June, 14:00 · The Black Box
A free daytime event exploring language and words, part of the Belfast Learning Festival. A good afternoon option before the evening shows start.
Tasting Tour Belfast: Naked Wines
Thursday 11 June, 18:30 · ICC Belfast
Over 100 wines to sample plus a blending lab. A Thursday evening option that's a bit different.
Belfast Brunch Co.
Saturday 13 June, 12:00 · The Devenish Complex
Sell-out brunch and dance event with live music, reserved seating, and a main course with a drink on arrival. A Saturday afternoon option before the evening rush.
Journey To Oz
Opening Friday 12 June · Belvoir Studio Theatre
Musical production for all ages at the Belvoir Players theatre on the south side of the city. Check the website for the full run dates.
Vinted In Real Life
Sunday 14 June, 12:00 · The Balmoral Hotel
Fourth edition of the pre-loved fashion market at The Balmoral. Cash only. A Sunday browse 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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