Oh Yeah Music Centre

Córas Trio reinvent the spontaneous. Deconstructed Irish traditional melodies emerge from blissful, otherworldly textures that foreground fiddle, guitar and percussion with transcendental electronics; suspending elements of collective free improvisation with seisiún-style playfulness. Their rapid rise has seen them support experimental folk heavyweights such as The Olllam, Aidan O’Rourke & Brìghde Chaimbeul, Väsen, and Hawktail. Their debut album, released in July 2024, received critical acclaim, leading to a string of sold-out headline shows across Ireland, a BBC Radio 6 New Music Fix live session, and global radio play and press features, including The Wire, The Irish Times, RTÉ, and Mojo magazine. Gráinne Meyer is a Belfast-based harpist, composer and PhD researcher at Queen’s University Belfast, whose work combines original, improvised and traditional influences with a particular interest in accessible and inclusive music making. Drawing on both traditional Irish and concert harp, her sound is described by Pwyll ap Siôn as “an evolved and multidimensional approach to melody.” In 2023 she won the World Music Competition at the Wales International Harp Festival and she has performed and recorded with the Ulster Orchestra and Ulster Consort and for BBC, RTÉ and TG4, with The Times describing her playing as “uniformly delightful.”

Dave Marks Irish Traditional Fusion Live Returning to Belfast for one night only, World of Hans Zimmer soloist Dave Marks brings his unique brand of Irish traditional fusion to The Oh Yeah Music Centre as part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Fringe Programme 2026. Whether performing alongside Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, recording with Simon McBride, or leading the genre-defying Limitless Orchestra, Marks has built a reputation for pushing musical boundaries and exploring new sonic landscapes. His original compositions blend traditional Irish instruments, including fiddle, pipes, whistles and acoustic guitar, with electric guitar, bass, driving rhythms, synthesizers and contemporary production. Drawing on influences gathered during more than two decades of international performance, his music incorporates elements of African rhythms, electronic music, funk, reggae, jazz and cinematic soundscapes. A Unique Fusion of Tradition & Innovation Featuring opening performances from some of Northern Ireland's most exciting emerging traditional musicians, along with special guest vocalists joining the band for the headline performance, this promises to be an unforgettable evening of musical exploration. Expect stunning musicianship and bold arrangements that seamlessly weave together Celtic traditions, rock, jazz, film music and world influences into a live experience unlike any other.

With A Fada Magazine is taking over the Oh Yeah Music Centre for Fleadh 2026, we’re set for a truly special night celebrating the future of Irish traditional and folk music. This year’s Fleadh is especially significant as it’s the first ever to be held in the North, marking a historic moment for musicians and audiences alike. We’ve curated an exciting lineup of modern trad and folk artists, bringing together emerging talent and established names who are pushing the boundaries of the genre while staying rooted in tradition. Join us on 5th August for an unforgettable evening of incredible live music, class craic, and a celebration of culture you won’t want to miss!

Siblings Eugene, Daniel, James, Sinéad, Peter, Ciarán and Catríona or The McKenna Family from Augher, Co. Tyrone are 4th generation musicians steeped in Irish traditional music. With strong familial and musical north Monaghan roots, their sound reflects a deep innate musical bondage that only siblings with a shared musical upbringing can exhibit. The siblings are highly sought after and celebrated as both solo musicians and as a family band, performing and touring in Ireland, Japan, the UK, USA and Europe. They have made guest appearances on numerous TV and radio broadcasts such as RTÉ's Late Late Show St Patrick's Day Special, Geantraí (TG4), Fleadh Live (TG4), and Céilí House. Releasing in April 2026, the McKenna's debut album 'The Boys Of Carrickroe' is a tribute to their granduncles, the late fiddlers Pete and Pat McKenna of Carrickroe, Co. Monaghan. The album draws much from their musical lives and in part, draws directly from old recordings and repertoire pertaining to them. Rooted in place and family, it bridges past and present through a distinctive sound — raw fiery fiddles interwoven with pipes, harp, box and concertina, alongside songs from the local area and beyond. They will be joined by Caoimhe Mulligan, a séan nós dancer from Dublin, proudly carrying forward the rich legacy of the Mulligan dynasty — a family steeped in music for five generations.

With A Fada Magazine is taking over the Oh Yeah Music Centre for Fleadh 2026 for two evenings and we’re set for a truly special celebration of the future of Irish traditional and folk music. The concept is simple- the line up is never revealed but you are guaranteed that they've curated an exciting lineup of modern trad and folk artists, bringing together emerging talent and established names who are pushing the boundaries of the genre while staying rooted in tradition. To celebrate the Magazine being a part of the Fleadh, this talented team will also launch an exhibition to coordinate with Late Night Art events across the city.

The Vibes are an 8-piece soulful reggae band based in Belfast made up of some of our city's most talented musicians- playing residencies across the city most weekends. They formed in 2014 and immediately began a monthly residency in The Belfast Empire. The band worked as support act for legendsike Lee “Scratch” Perry and The Specials, as well as New York ska heroes The Slackers and The Toasters. Get your dancing shoes on as we launch The Yard Stage with The Vibes!

Chunky Business Gary Curley & Stephen McKee Bringing their trademark "chunky" style to the fore, Gary Curley and Stephen McKee have combined accordion and banjo to create a sound that is rhythmically strong, grounded and distinctively their own. In 2025, the duo released their debut album, Chunky Business. A playful nod to their signature style, the album introduces a musical partnership that is confidently presented, thoughtfully arranged and firmly open for Chunky Business. About the Album The album celebrates years of collaboration, drawing deeply from the traditions of Ulster while embracing influences from across Ireland. Recorded in Gary's home studio, Chunky Business features a vibrant collection of reels, jigs and hornpipes, combining traditional repertoire with compositions from renowned musicians including Vincent Broderick, Liz Carroll, Paddy O'Brien and Máirtín O'Connor. Each set reflects a lifetime immersed in traditional music, drawing on tunes learned from family members, tutors, friends and countless seisiúns. The Musicians A native of Boho, County Fermanagh, Gary Curley is an accomplished button accordion player, dedicated music teacher and graduate of Ulster University, where he earned a First-Class Honours degree in Music. Stephen McKee, from Draperstown, County Derry, grew up in a musical family and is a respected multi-instrumentalist, best known for his dynamic tenor banjo playing and strong rhythmic drive. The duo is joined by an outstanding line-up of guest musicians: Eoin McKee – bodhrán Ryan O'Donnell – bouzouki / tenor guitar John McCartin – guitar Gerry McMahon – guitar Rachael Masterson – keyboard Murdoch McKibbin – fiddle Together, they add depth, texture and energy to the recording while complementing the duo's distinctive musical style. A Celebration of Tradition & Friendship At its heart, Chunky Business is a celebration of friendship, musical connection and the richness of the traditional music community. The album captures the intuitive understanding developed over years of playing together and showcases two musicians deeply rooted in tradition while confidently bringing their own voice to it. Listen: https://garycurleystephenmckee.bandcamp.com/album/chunky-business A vibrant celebration of Ulster traditional music, friendship and a uniquely chunky musical partnership.

Dara Dubh is an Irish indie–folk–rock artist whose songs sit somewhere between heartfelt confession and a good kick up the road. A singer-songwriter and harpist with a habit of blending the delicate with the downright fierce, she brings a sharp emotional edge to a sound shaped by folk roots, alternative influences, and whatever else has been rattling around her head that week. With the harp as her trusted companion, Dubh challenges the idea of an instrument often associated with traditional music. The harp has found new life in Dara’s hands as she pushes the boundaries of its capabilities, and a voice that can shift from whisper-soft to unapologetically powerful without warning. A SAMA Best Newcomer nominee, JBL & Martin Garrix Music Academy top 10 UK artists and one of The List’s Hot 100 (No. 57), Dara has taken her live show across the UK and Italy, collecting a run of sold-out nights in Scotland, Ireland, and Italy along the way. Her 2024 EP opened the door to a wider audience, followed by a collaborative EP in 2025 that pushed her sound into new territory. She’s currently working away—quietly but determinedly—on her debut album, set for 2026. With a sound that refuses to sit neatly in any one box, Dara Dubh continues to carve out her own corner of a genre defying landscape, one unhurried but unforgettable song at a time.