Greetings from The Wolf & Seahorse
Kevin Bridges is at The O2 Belfast for three nights from Friday, and Cabaret Voltaire's final tour reaches The Limelight on Thursday.
The O2 also hosts An Evening with President Barack Obama on Tuesday 13 October. Crash Test Dummies, Buffalo Tom and Mercury Rev are among the touring bands this week, and Oktoberfest Belfast is at Custom House Square on Thursday.
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
Cabaret Voltaire
Thursday 8 October · 19:00 · The Limelight 1
The 2026 tour marks 50 years since Cabaret Voltaire's live debut, and the band have said it will be their last series of live shows, with no new recordings under the name. Original members Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson are on stage, with composer and performance artist Gazelle Twin as special guest.
Kevin Bridges: Here If You Need Me
Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October · 20:00 · The O2 Belfast
Here If You Need Me is the 2026 tour from Scottish stand-up Kevin Bridges, with fresh material following his North American tour. The O2's page describes his comedy as warmly relatable and keenly observed.
An Evening with President Barack Obama
Tuesday 13 October · 20:00 · The O2 Belfast
President Obama is in Belfast to discuss what comes next for America and for all of us, according to the event page. The programme covers his presidency, his work since leaving office with the Obama Foundation and the recent opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Belfast is the third stop on the tour, after Dublin and London.
Buffalo Tom
Tuesday 6 October · 19:00 · The Limelight 2
Boston guitar trio Buffalo Tom are Bill Janovitz, Chris Colbourn and Tom Maginnis. Their album Jump Rope came out in 2024.
Double Standards Jazz Session
Wednesday 7 October · 17:30 · Sunflower Public House, 65 Union Street
The Sunflower's weekly Wednesday jazz session covers the classics, from Miles Davis to Duke Ellington.
Coldplace
Wednesday 7 October · 19:00 · The Limelight 2
Coldplace's set is a chronological run through Coldplay's discography, from the first album to Moon Music, with lasers, a video wall, confetti cannons and LED wristbands.
Crash Test Dummies
Wednesday 7 October · 19:00 · Mandela Hall
The Canadian band are celebrating more than 35 years with their original line-up of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts and Mitch Dorge, together again since 2018. Their hits include Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm and Superman's Song, in the stripped-back, folk-leaning sound they are known for. Gareth Dunlop is special guest.
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds Live!
Wednesday 7 October · 20:00 · Waterfront Hall
Jeff Wayne's 1978 double album is staged with West End performers, a live band, an orchestra and animation. The production puts the music front and centre, and the album includes Forever Autumn.
The Olllam
Thursday 8 October · 19:00 · Mandela Hall
Led by uilleann piper John McSherry, this transatlantic group fuses Irish traditional music with the modern jazz and post-rock energy of Detroit. Joe Dart of Vulfpeck, Michael Shimmin, Ross Ainslie, Seán O'Meara and Joe Hettinga are in the line-up. Special guest is Múlú, and the date is part of the group's 2026 European tour.
R.E.M. by Stipe
Saturday 10 October · 19:30 · The Belfast Empire Music Hall
The tribute is built around four musicians covering the core members of R.E.M., who say they are committed to holding true to the sound and aesthetic of the original band. Additional musicians join them on stage to recreate the album arrangements, as R.E.M. did on tour, and setlists vary.
Jackie Rainey and Emma Doran
Sunday 11 October · The Drawing Room, The Court House, Bangor
Classic rock and pop covers with tight vocal harmonies, set for a Sunday afternoon in the Drawing Room.
Mercury Rev
Monday 12 October · 20:00 · The Belfast Empire Music Hall
Formed in 1989, Mercury Rev are presented at the Empire as part of Open House Festival's year-round shows. Their 1998 album was NME's album of the year.
Bernard O'Shea: Desperate House Husband
Thursday 8 October · 19:00 · The Limelight 2
The stand-up show is about stay-at-home parenting: domestic appliances with sinister intentions, a longing for a peaceful night's sleep and covert playground reconnaissance.
Andrew Ryan: Honest Capacity
Thursday 8 October · 19:30 · The Main Stage, The MAC
Q Radio Breakfast Show host Andrew Ryan has a brand-new show in which he describes himself as outwardly content, happily married and a capable golfer, yet perpetually self-sabotaging. The material takes in pet ownership, social obliviousness and frustration with daily life.
Hello Charlie
Friday 9 October · 20:00 · Naughton Studio, Lyric Theatre
Caoimhe Farren's dark comedy follows sisters Maeve and Kate, who have left their traumatic past in Derry for London. Maeve copes by drinking and deflects responsibility onto Charlie, her intoxicated alter ego. It was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwriting and reached the final of the inaugural Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy. Gina Donnelly and Seón Simpson direct, and the production is part of Belfast International Arts Festival.
Carole King: Home Again
Saturday 10 October · 15:00 · The BFF Beanbag Cinema
This concert film records Carole King's homecoming show on the Great Lawn of Central Park in New York on 26 May 1973, in front of an estimated 100,000 people. Directed by George Scott and produced by Lou Adler and John McDermott, it uses multi-camera footage that had not been released before. It runs for 80 minutes as part of Now Press Play 2026.
Oktoberfest Belfast
Thursday 8 October · 17:00 to 23:30 · Custom House Square
A Bavarian-themed festival with Hofbräu and other German beers served in one-litre steins, and bratwurst from a German grill. Traditional Oom Pa Pa music runs nightly, followed by rotating local acts including DJ sets and live bands. Big Kahuna, Fifth Avenue and Men On The Hill are among the acts named on the festival's website.
Shorelife Celebration
Saturday 10 October · 10:00 to 17:00 · Mount Stewart, Newtownards
Ards and North Down Borough Council organises this coastal and wildlife day with National Trust Mount Stewart and WWT Castle Espie, and it takes place at both sites. The Mount Stewart programme includes bushcraft, photography workshops, fossil tours, talks, a guided walk on the garden's micro-climate and Tales by the Tide storytelling, with live music and local food and drink stalls.
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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