Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Belfast’s hub for musicians is still a creative oasis
Fourteen years on and Cathedral Quarter venue remains so vital for local artists
Its concept was born in the late 1990s when music journalist, writer, lecturer and all-round good egg Stuart Bailie figured Belfast’s struggling musicians needed a creative hub in which to focus their energies. It could help them get to grips with the less creative side of the industry getting signed, marketing, funding - as well as being a place where ideas could clash, thrive
But it wasn’t until May 5, 2007, when the Oh Yeah centre on the city’s Gordon Street opened (perfectly at the edge of, yet miles apart from, the then burgeoning Cathedral Quarter) that the concept became reality.
The centre now boasts a proper music venue, exhibition space and offices – and in Start Together has a quasi-affiliated world-class recording studio in the same building. Not bad for little old Belfast.
Anyway, to mark the centre’s 14th birthday the people who run it are putting on a virtual tour of Northern Ireland starting at the centre on May 10 and wrapping up at the Rostrevor Inn on May 14 taking in soulmates the Nerve Centre, Derry, on the 11th, Draperstown’s Cornstore on the 12th and Blakes of the Hollow the following nght.
Fourteen artists from a variety of genres and musicals backgrounds will provide stunning performances. They include Dana Masters, Gemma Bradley, (inset) Susie Blue, The Wood Burning Savages, Catherine Mcgrath, Invaderband, Our Krypton Son, Casual Riots, Enola Gay, Justine Gormley, The Organauts, Bernadette Morris, Laytha and Matt Mcginn.
Charlotte Dryden of Oh Yeah said: “We are fortunate to have weathered the storm so far and make it to our 14th year. We are grateful the Arts Council of NI for this opportunity, and to every single person and supporter that has cheered us on, supported our work, and donated or funded our projects over the years. But it’s not been easy for venues and artists this past year and there is still so much support needed to ensure the survival of our wonderful live music venues and artistic community. All of which are crucial, yes to the economy, but also to the energy of our towns and cities, to our wellbeing, to artistic development, to community engagement, to the preservation of our music heritage and for live exchange.
“We just can’t underestimate how important our venues and musicians are. So for that reason we are using our birthday to say we can’t wait to welcome you back and when we can all reopen again, please get out there and support your local venues and artists.”
■ The Virtual Tour NI kicks off on May 10 on Oh Yeah Youtube Channel.