Gigs

Talking Sopranos

Support acts: Mammoth, Skindred

Steve Schirripa (Bobby Bacala) and Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) were taking their podcast, Talking Sopranos, on the road with this tour around the UK. They shared many behind the scenes stories from the show.

15 Feb 2026 at Grand Opera House, Belfast

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.

24 Jan 2026 at Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast

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.

23 Jan 2026 at Training for Women Network, Belfast

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.

18 Oct 2025 at O2 Academy, Glasgow

Rocky Horror Show

A new UK and Ireland stage adaptation of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, with Adam Strong as Frank-N-Furter. All the performers were great and had the audience in stitches.

23 Jul 2025 at Grand Opera House, Belfast

Girl from the North Country

This Conor McPherson’s play which masterfully intertwines a number of Dylan classics with an original story set in Minnesota in the 1930s was a highlight of our London trip. It was a limited revival at the iconic Old Vic which we were fortunate enough to witness. Katie Brayben's rendition of "Forever Young" towards the end of the play had me in tears.

16 Jul 2025 at The Old Vic, London

Sing Street

This stage adaptation of John Carney’s film "Sing Street" featured a new UK & Ireland cast. I love the film to bits, and although there were some minor differences made to the story in this version, I enjoyed it immensely.

14 Jul 2025 at The Lyric, Hammersmith

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".

11 Jul 2025 at Hyde Park, London

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.

30 Jun 2025 at Ormeau Park, Belfast

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".

1 Jun 2025 at Ulster Hall, Belfast

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.

31 May 2025 at O2 Academy, Liverpool

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.

17 May 2025 at The Black Box, Belfast