Year: 2017

The Iconettes are a unique musical homage to some of the most famous girl groups and divas of a golden era of Motown and Soul; The Ronettes, The Three Degrees, The Marvelettes, The Crystals and of course the irresistible Supremes create just some of the template for The Iconettes style, glamour and musical influences.

Performing stunning harmonies live, this female close harmony vocal trio are a fun, sassy, tightly choreographed tribute to the iconic girl groups of the Soul and Motown era and the sounds of Philadelphia and Detroit.

Out to Lunch Extra Portion
After The Iconettes, massive Girl Group fan Terri Hooley will play some of his favourite tracks from the era for an hour (or maybe two).

Feel free to stay and enjoy.

Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine is a clash of African and electronic elements inspired in equal measure by the golden era of West African funk, disco, modern post-punk, and electro.

Recent months has been spent forging a reputation as a high-energy live act appearing on stages such as Later… with Jools Holland, Glastonbury, Roskilde, and the BBC 6 Music Festival, as well as at iconic venues such as Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London as part of Lauren Laverne’s Wonder Women series.

Weird and wonderful folk stories, recounted to Eno by her family as a child in her mother’s Ibibio tongue, form the creative fabric from which the band’s unique musical tapestry is woven.

Evocative poetic imagery and empowering messages set against an edgy, Afro-Electro soundscape give the band a unique space within the current wave of modern Afrocentric sounds sweeping across the globe.

THE 4 OF US bring their critically acclaimed acoustic show to Out to Lunch showcasing songs from their forthcoming new album Sugar Island, as well as songs from their extensive back catalogue.

From their first anthem Mary – still a radio favourite, through to the UK-charting She Hits Me, to Sunlight – the band has notched up over two decades of radio hits and six top 20 charting albums.

Don’t miss this rare chance to catch them live in the intimate setting of the Black Box.

‘Never before have I been to a gig where the atmosphere has been so electric …’  THE IRISH NEWS

Following the viral success of his Stranger Things Mixtape – and quarter of a million plays on Soundcloud – DJ Yoda is taking his Eighties pop-culture nostalgia mix to Out to Lunch for the ultimate post-Festive season party.

Featuring favourites from 1983 (when Stranger Things is set) and laced with samples from the Netflix original series, expect Dolly Parton, Toto, Jefferson Airplane, The Clash, Joy Division and Foreigner mixed with dialogue from Chief Hopper, Eleven, Jonathan and Nancy.

Experience the mixtape live!

Keith James presents an honest and loving reflection on the insightful and timeless music of Yusef – Cat Stevens.

The amassed body of music from this hugely popular and sincerely adored singer/songwriter made for a collection of ‘must have’ records across a whole generation.

Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat were on everyone’s turntables and on every radio station, live versions are played in concerts, bars and on the world’s beaches to this day.

Songs such as Wild World, Father and Son, Moonshadow and Where do the Children Play have been covered by hundreds of Artists worldwide.

Keith James is one of the most active and inventive performers on this Country’s concert scene. All of his concerts are based on dedicated studies of poets and songwriters with whom both he himself and audiences identify as having a quality and integrity far above the norm.

‘Keith James has become a pillar of trust. A sublimely intimate and engaging voice’ – SUNDAY TIMES

In this Out to Lunch special Northern Ireland Opera and the Lyric Theatre stage Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s thrilling and darkly comic The Threepenny Opera.

In anticipation, join members of the Northern Ireland Opera Studio as they transport you back to the 1920s for a recital exploring themes of love, war, and class.

Featuring music from The Threepenny Opera, as well as songs and showtunes of the era, don’t miss this perfect lunchtime musical treat!

Maria Hughes soprano
Lauren Scully soprano
Dawn Burns mezzo-soprano
Cormac Lawlor bass-baritone
Kevin Neville bass-baritone
Keith McAllister piano

Booka Brass’ debut album captures the live energy of the band lauded as one of Ireland’s greatest live acts.

Chilled Milk is a ten-track album full of the bands signature melodies and rhythmic pizazz. The album is made up of nine self-penned tunes and a raucous cover of Jason Derulo’s ‘Talk Dirty’ by the New Orleans inspired outfit.

Formed in late 2012 when a group of students were drawn together by their classical background and desire to experiment musically. Since then their trajectory has been constantly on the rise, from the success of their critically acclaimed debut EP BBB, a sold-out nationwide tour alongside collaborations and live performances with Irish music heavyweights including The Frames, Lisa Hannigan, Jape and James Vincent McMorrow.

The band laid the basis of the album in true Booka Brass style through jamming through ideas in an improvised setting. The album has drawn influence from jazz greats like Miles Davis and Art Blakey, to hip-hop icons Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

The albums sound is a fusion of Booka Brass’s classical mastery of their instruments combined with their understanding and passion for jazz sensibilities. Potentially the show of the festival.

‘Everyone’s favourite horn wielders..spicing jazz, hip hop and pop and adding lashings of brass, it’s a fun and inventive few minutes’ – HOT PRESS

‘Booka Brass Band have every right to be claimed as Ireland’s best live act right now’ – GOLDEN PLEC

‘If you can only take in one new act this festival season, make it Booka Brass Band’ – THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

The Irish Video Game Orchestra is a semi-professional orchestra dedicated to bringing new audiences to the orchestral music by performing famous video game scores that listeners already know and love.

Brought together by their mutual love for video games, and the wealth of music that can be found in their scores, the IVGO aims to create unforgettable performances for both its audiences and musicians.

Having only been performing for two years, the IVGO has received rave reviews from their concerts at Q-Con, Eirtakon, and their most recent independent concert, “A Journey of Heroes.” Christopher Hastings of Queen’s Radio said, “… if you are into orchestral music, video games, or both, there is definitely no reason why you shouldn’t keep an eye out for the next time the Irish Video Game Orchestra performs, because honestly, it was one of the most entertaining musical evenings I’ve experienced for a long while.”

With repertoire spanning the 30+ years of video game scores, every concert is different, but features music from both new games as well as the classic tunes known by all from The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Final Fantasy, and so much more.

Wolfgang Flür is best known as the electro drummer of German electronic super group Kraftwerk between 1973 and 1986.

Along with his Kraftwerk musical partner Florian Schneider, he developed the world’s very first electronic drum machines and, as the first Electric Quartet, changed the face of music forever.

Arguably every electronic release of the last thirty years has been inspired by Wolfgang Flür’s amazing development and his colossus of a band.

Since 2004 Flür has been DJ’ing world-wide in clubs and festivals, playing tech house, industry and electro specialties of his own – he likes to call it ‘selected electro tunes for dancing’.

Wolfgang sees himself as a music presenter with historical electric background. Post Kraftwerk he’s busied himself writing books and collaborating with all sorts of intriguing musical master minds.

Tonight’s set will be accompanied by video projections and rare images from his Kraftwerk past shot to Wolfgang’s present projects.

For anyone who enjoys an imaginative blend of contemporary and traditional music; beautifully constructed airs, jigs and reels; love songs and ballads in both Gaelic and English; something rather special is special in the Black Box during Out to Lunch.

Singer and flute player Nuala Kennedy celebrated 10 years as a solo recording artist in 2016 with the launch of Behave the Bravest, her fourth solo album and her first album release on her own label Under the Arch Records.

Nuala Kennedy’s origins as a player and singer of traditional music in Ireland shine through on Behave the Bravest. Old traditional ballads of love, loss and immigration, are recomposed by Kennedy and continue to find resonance in the modern world.

Played and sung with verve and panache by a woman at the top of her game, Behave the Bravest is a fitting album to celebrate a decade of music making.

Nuala has performed and recorded with Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Norwegian musicians Frode Haltli and Vegar Vårdal as well as the late Canadian composer Oliver Schroer.

For this very special Festival show Nuala will be joined by Mike Bryan (guitar) and Donald Hay (percussion).

‘She instils a zesty, fresh brilliance for all her dazzling performances, which are enticingly enhanced by all her imaginative compositions. This album is just a complete winner all the way.’ – FOLKWALES

Made up of sisters Shauneen, Maria and cousin Emma, the melodies and harmonies which are the signature Saffyre sound are a culmination of the country, folk and trad influences they grew up with in their native County Down.

After several releases here at home, the girls travelled to Florida to work with Grammy Award winning producer Jim Jonsin who co-wrote and produced the girls current release Run For Your Life.

The track has been playlisted by every major radio station in the country and the momentum around the band is growing by the day.

The Carole King & James Taylor Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the six-time Grammy Award winner and 20-time platinum hit maker Carole King and five-time Grammy Award winner American folk legend James Taylor.

This new “show-umentary” format gives a fascinating insight into the lives behind the music.

Featuring passionate renditions of Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel the Earth Move, Natural Woman, You’ve Got a Friend and many more this astonishing back catalogue is realised with authenticity by Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews, both well established artists in their own right.

The James Taylor & Carole King Story comes fresh from a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival where it delighted audiences and wowed critics.

“both guitar and voice took these fans back to The Troubadour in 1970” **** BROADWAYBABY

“Will leave any folk-rock fans wholly satisfied” **** SCOTSMAN

“Wow, what an experience” BBC KENT

“performance was immaculate” **** THREE WEEKS

Having travelled the world since the release of her first album, including tours in Australia and the US, Bernadette Morris returned to the studio, this time with her own original material.

At this EP launch, Bernadette and her band present her new material which sits easily within the folk genre, as well as her fresh take on traditional Irish folk songs and lilting Gaelic laments.

From County Antrim, traditional harpist and singer Amy McAllister takes a contemporary distinctive approach to performing traditional harp airs, dance tunes, traditional songs alongside her original material.

Amy has toured internationally, represented Ireland twice at the Rio Harp Festival, and released her debut album String on String to critical acclaim in Spring 2017.

Deirdre Galway of Realta will  be accompanying her for this performance.

‘Amy McAllister’s vocals and instrumental skills are absolutely beguiling…a distinctive traditional vocal sound… a debut album which delivers on every level.’ Andy McMillen, BRIGHT YOUNG FOLK

“…An album that both understands the wealth of tradition and reveals a talent for innovation. Amy’s vivid voice is purely addictive; hear once, you want more.’ Tim Carroll, FOLKWORLDS

Noted for their hypnotic melodies, visceral bass-lines and tidal rhythm, Manchester-based leftfield piano trio GoGo Penguin are pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner.

Their music has been described as acoustic-electronica but they draw equally on rock, jazz and minimalism, game soundtracks and glitchy-electronica to create their unique music.

It’s music for the heart, head and feet and saw their album v2.0(Gondwana records) named a Mercury Prize album of the year 2014 alongside albums from Damon Albarn, Young Fathers and Jungle.

In 2015 they signed to Blue Note Records and released the album Man Made Object in 2016. More recently they have been touring their own score to Godfrey Reggio’s cult film Koyaanisqatsi.

Their new album, A Humdrum Star will be released on February 9, 2018.

‘The members stayed locked in their grooves, three young men making music with jazz instruments, rock dynamics and circumscribed dance-music strategies.’ – NEW YORK TIMES

‘Jazz dances with minimalism in the hadron collier of GoGo Penguin.’ – THE GUARDIAN

We are grateful to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for the loan of the Steinway Model D Grand Piano, for the purpose of this event.

Scottish guitarist & songwriter Dave Arcari’s alt.blues sounds owe as much to trash country, punk and rockabilly as they do pre-war Delta blues and have been showcased via ten internationally-acclaimed solo album releases.

Arcari’s recent album, Live at Memorial Hall, was released on 1 September 2017 on Buzz Records. As well as showcasing Arcari’s trademark National steel guitars, the release features performances on banjo, regular guitar and and cigar box which help capture the full breadth of Arcari’s song-writing and performance.

With a busy live schedule in the UK plus regular shows in USA, Finland, Estonia, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland and Ireland Arcari is one of the hardest gigging live artists on the circuit.

A series of shows with folks including Steve Earle, Alabama 3, Seasick Steve and Jon Spencer along with his relentless UK and European tour schedule have established Arcari as a formidable international solo performer who is fast building a media reputation as a ‘hell-raising National guitar madman’.

‘Dave plays like he got his skin turned inside out and pretty soon my skin was inside out too listening and it was all good. That boy bleeds for you – he a real down deep player and a soul man…’ – SEASICK STEVE

Inspired by country and soul from the likes of The Band, Gillian Welch, Gene Clark, The Byrds, Staple Singers, Emmylou Harris, Otis Redding and Dolly Parton, Yola Carter is a force of nature and an incredibly talented singer-songwriter.

After 15 years as a writer, producer and featured vocalist with dance and pop artists such as Massive Attack, Duke Dumont, Katy Perry and Chase & Status and two albums and several years fronting the acclaimed band Phantom Limb, she embarked on the latest chapter of her career as a solo Americana artist at the start of 2016.

Live, the killer combination of Yola’s powerhouse voice, stage presence and superb soul-baring songs has proved completely irresistible from her very first show. 2017 has seen her play major stages all over the UK as well as festivals in Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Canada, blowing audiences away everywhere – whether performing as a stripped down acoustic trio, her full 10-piece country soul orchestra or in several different lineups in between.

Yola was chosen to represent the UK at the prestigious Americana Music Association showcase in Nashville in September 2016, where she made a huge impact.

She returned in Sep 2017 as part of the main AMA showcase programme and confirmed her status as a major Americana star in waiting generating an even more electric music industry and media buzz than the previous year. Yola was also an incredibly popular choice as the UK Artist Of The Year at the AMA UK Awards in London in Feb 2017.

“Country gospel with the driving energy of old-fashioned soul music…Her songs brandished big hooks and she filled them with stirring vocals, shouts, and yes, yodeling.” The Guardian

“A phenomenal talent, drawing on gospel, soul and country” The Independent

“A voice to die for…it could be likened to Aretha Franklin. She is that good.” Maverick

“Loose limbed, soulful and funky…it sounded like Mavis Staples fronting The Band…a stadium-sized talent.” Bristol 24/7

Music In The Glen are an exciting new trio performing the very best of Irish traditional music. Featuring the combined talents of Brendan Mulholland (flute) and founding Réalta members Conor Lamb (uilleann pipes, whistles) and Deirdre Galway (guitar), these musicians deliver the infectious rhythm and soul which are the hallmarks of Irish music.

Forged from a relationship of 20 years playing music together, Conor and Brendan have joined forces with Deirdre on accompaniment to create a sound that draws upon a long-developed bond and mutual musical understanding.

Each musician is a respected artist in their own field. Through different projects they have performed across the globe from Belfast to Washington, Moscow and Seoul in venues ranging from your local folk club to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Milwaukee Irish Festival Main Stage.

Individually they have featured on a dozen albums and have performed with a variety of international acts including Réalta, Gráinne Holland, Craobh Rua, Micky McCluskey and Mary Dillon. Collectively they are one of the finest trios on the Irish music scene today.

Music In The Glen’s debut album will be released in January 2018 and the launch concert is sure to be a night to remember! Expect good times and a number of special appearances from the team’s musical friends.

Lau is the pioneering contemporary folk trio comprising three of the UK’s finest traditional musicians: Kris Drever (vocals, guitar), Martin Green (accordion, wurlitzer, keys, electronics) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle).

Lau has garnered four awards for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and also appeared on the Later… With Jools Holland TV show (BBC 2 TV). Individual members have all won multiple awards and recognition for their solo work.

Lau announces the release of its first ever retrospective album, Decade (The Best Of 2007-2017), a compilation of the band’s best tracks, curated by the band and manager Tom Rose from the song and tune suggestions of their very many fans.

They are taking this retrospective material to concerts and festival stages throughout the UK for a series of electrifying live shows.

‘The U.K’s best live band, Lau are remarkable – the most musically adventurous trio in British folk: exquisite and hypnotic, musicianship at its best.’ – THE GUARDIAN

Combining a great stage presence with an energetic, dynamic flair, Le Vent du Nord are one of the leading names in Québecois folk music performing original songs inspired from their tradition- a truly fabulous sound!

Following their knockout success at festivals and events throughout the UK in 2017 the Québec-based quartet have been invited to return in 2018 with a new line –up to make them a Quintet! The group never fail to delight crowds with their glorious mix of fiddle and foot-tapping, guitar, accordion, piano, bass, hurdy-gurdy and wonderful four part harmonies. The band delivers catchy songs and tunes, inspired and influenced by Québec traditional folk styles, and their well-polished musical arrangements simply enhance this uplifting repertoire.

The band consist of singers / multi-instrumentalists Nicolas Boulerice, Simon Beaudry, Olivier Demers, Réjean Brunet and new member Andre Brunet (formerly of La Bottine Souriante; Celtic Fiddle Festival, De Temps Antan) and are now one of the best-loved Québec folk outfits throughout the world. Considered a driving force in progressive folk, Le Vent du Nord capture the energy and mirth of a Saturday night kitchen party, infusing old Québec with a breath of fresh, cosmopolitan air.

‘Puts all traditional folk naysayers to shame’ ~ VOIR MONTREAL

‘What stands out about the music… is its power and vitality. Québec couldn’t hope for better advocates.’ ~ ★★★★ nes

Hayes Carll is wildly literate, utterly slackerly, and impossibly romantic.  The 41-year old Texan is completely committed to the truth and unafraid to skewer pomposity, hypocrisy and small-minded thinking.

Carll connects with music lovers across genres lines. Playing rock clubs and honkytonks, he combines Ray Wylie Hubbard’s lean freewheeling squalor with Todd Snider’s brazen Gen Y reality and a healthy dose of love amongst unhealthy people.

He also looks to Kerouac, Dylan, Guy Clark, and John Prine for inspiration. Fiercely individual, Carll’s banged-up take on classic country is honed by the road – sometimes as a man and guitar, sometimes with his scrappy band, but always taking in the vistas and humanity before him.

About recent album he says: ‘Lovers and Leavers isn’t funny or raucous. There are very few hoots and almost no hollers.. But it is joyous, and it makes me smile. No, it’s not my “Blood on the Tracks,” nor is it any kind of opus. It’s my fifth record — a reflection of a specific time and place. It is quiet, like I wanted it to be. Like I wanted to be.”

Michelle Baird, Ceara Grehan and Lynne McAllister bring three richly flavoured voices, unique harmonies and versatility to the stage. The ladies, who originally met through Northern Ireland Musical Societies, have all played leading roles in some of Ireland’s major theatres.

They have appeared at the Grand Opera House, Belfast’s Waterfront Hall and the National Concert Hall, Dublin, winning the Association of Irish Musical Societies’ coveted award for Best Female Singer in Ireland three times between them.

Their impressive repertoire, from stage to screen and opera to swing, offers a diverse range of entertainment to rival any West End show and their unique talent has been winning critical acclaim throughout the country.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a special lunchtime treat of Vintage 50s Swing & Jazz classics, along with some of your favourite West End & Broadway hits in an intimate cabaret setting. All performed in their own inimitable vocal arrangements and close harmony style.

Since forming, The Oh Hellos has earned a rightful reputation as a very special live act. The siblings are joined on stage by an often-epic ensemble—a rotating roster of pickers and players numbering as many as 13 at any given time (hence the need to take this show to The Empire).

Dear Wormwood, the latest album from beloved brother and sister act The Oh Hellos, is out now. It was recorded, piece by piece, in the house where Maggie and Tyler live in San Marcos, Texas, and much like The Oh Hellos’ live performance, the album presents two alternating faces: at times delicate, intimate, affectionate; and at others, soaring and towering and joyfully explosive.

Their influences range from Fleet Foxes and Sufjan Stevens to The Middle East and the Muppets, bending and blending styles and genres into a unique mixture of eclectic folk rock.

The Oh Hellos are Maggie and Tyler Heath from Southern Texas. The two began making music together in 2011 with a song written for their mom’s birthday, followed later that year by their self-titled, self-produced, independently released EP. The 4-track recording featured the hit song Hello My Old Heart which received national airplay in the US and currently has over nine million streams on Spotify.

Having released her first new album in 38 years at the end of 2016, and barely sharing her voice at all during such times, the legacy and importance of Shirley Collins simply can’t be overlooked.

A pivotal player in the English Folk Revival of 60s and 70s, which included the likes of Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch and many more, few would disagree with Billy Bragg when he said of Shirley “without doubt one of England’s greatest cultural treasures”

Often using little more than her wonderful voice and a sparse instrumental backing, Collins music has always had a haunting quality to it and it remains the case to this day. It’s an honour to bring Collins to Belfast and the Out to Lunch Festival this January. We can’t wait.

Hazel O’ Connor has fast established herself as a concert artist and performer to be reckoned with.  From initially catapulting to stardom with the starring role in Breaking Glass and the ensuing hits that followed, Hazel continues to tour extensively delighting sell-out audiences along the way, winning over fans old and new.

Her husky voice remains charged with passion and her enthusiasm, love of music, and wicked sense of humour, is ever present.

Having now returned to her Celtic soul folk-roots, live and on-stage for this very special set of shows, she performs in a captivating acoustic line-up with Cormac de Barra on Irish Harp, her musical partner for some 15 years.

The live-show combines Hazel’s unforgettable voice with the musicianship of Cormac in a stirring musical marriage, together they will reach into the very depths of your soul.  Cormac De Barra has represented Ireland internationally and currently also performs with Clannad and Moya Brennan. He has recorded three of his own harp-led CDs. The combination of de Barra’s harp with Hazel’s unforgettable voice is truly magical.

Today’s show will feature some great newly composed songs celebrating 37 years of song-writing and performance. No O’Connor show is complete without her original classics Will You, D-Days and Eighth Day or her new classics Rebecca, Driftwood, I’m Still Breathing and Acoustically Yours. Un-missable!

‘The expressive power of her singing, her songwriting craft and warm, strong personality here with Cormac De Barra’s expert playing of the Irish Harp.’ – THE TIMES

‘Simply stunning’ –   Janice Long – BBC RADIO 2

‘Sumptuous songs with a soulful, introspective lyrical depth. The arrangements are largely traditional in feel, helped by Cormac de Barra’s exquisite harp..Sseamless forays into pop blues and soul, and the familiar silken gravel of O’Connor’s voice’ –   IRISH TIMES.

Portlandian space-rock outfit Moon Duo bring their new album Occult Architecture Vol. 1 (out now on the Sacred Bones label) to the Black Box for the closing weekend of Out to Lunch.

The album takes the reliably excellent Moon Duo sound, built around Ripley Johnson’s remarkable, fluid guitar and Sanae Yamada’s Nuggets-meets-Conny Plank keyboards, adds a little more electronics than usual and also throws in some high concept darkness to boot (as borne out by titles like Cold Fear and The Death Set).

Written and recorded in Portland, the two-part epic reflects the hidden energies of rainclouds and sunshine and the deep creep of Northwest forests along with their effect on the psyche, inspired by the occult and esoteric literature of Mary Anne Atwood, Aleister Crowley, Colin Wilson, and Manly P. Hall

As the first instalment in a two-album series for 2018, it’s an immediate and hypnotic listen and this promises to be a momentous live gig.

Born of African-Caribbean descent in Québec, Kaia Kater grew up in two musical worlds:  the Canadian folk music of her Toronto home, and Appalachian music of West Virginia, where she has studied and lived.

Fueled by her rich low tenor vocals, jazz-influenced instrumentation, and beautifully understated banjo, her songs cast an unflinching eye on the realities faced by people of colour in North America.

Kater is part of the new generation of American roots musicians, with an original repertoire that weaves together Appalachian stories, personal narratives of the digital age, and hard-hitting songs that touch on modern issues like Black Lives Matter.

Her work has as much in common with Kendrick Lamar as it does with Pete Seeger, reminding us of the troubled pathways of our own history.

Underhill Rose
Harmonies. Soul-touching lyrics. Eye-catching stage presence. Underhill Rose have become synonymous with beautiful music, charming personalities, and rippling success.

The duo from North Carolina have released two albums which have garnered critical acclaim from around the globe. We’re delighted to welcome these female troubadours back to Belfast for what promises to be a stunning closing Out to Lunch show.