Sound of Belfast, a music festival now in its sixth year, starts today (1 Nov.) and will run for ten days. The programme features a range of concerts, talks, workshops, a traditional music trail and networking events. Set up by Oh Yeah Music Centre, the festival aims to promote local musicians and those working in the industry in Belfast. Artists such as Joshua Burnside, Kitt Philippa, Lemoncello and Jealous of the Birds will perform over the course of the event. 

Concerts
Tonight in Oh Yeah Music Centre, there will be an event celebrating the music of The Clash and the fortieth anniversary of their album London Calling. Artists include punk band Touts, Paul Connolly of NI Music Prize-winning four-piece the Wood Burning Savages, and Belfast rock act Molto Vivo. 

Alternative folk singer Joshua Burnside will perform this evening at the Belfast Empire with his six-piece band Million Tiny Moths, and with support from Kerry songwriter Junior Brother. Belfast rock act Dea Matrona, who have recently supported acts such as Feeder and Fun Lovin Criminals, will also perform tonight at Belfast venue Love & Death. 

Songwriter Kitt Philippa, whose first album Human was released earlier this month, will play on 2 November in Strange Victory, and Jealous of the Birds, the project of multi-instrumentalist Naomi Hamilton, will be in concert at the Palm House on 6 November, while Lemoncello will perform with Anna Mieke in Duncairn Arts Centre on 8 November. 

Traditional music trail, talks and workshops
Taking place today will be a free counselling service, run by Jigsaw Community Counselling Centre, which will be offering one-on-one hour-long sessions. Availability is limited however and booking is essential. 

On 2 November, the Belfast Traditional Music Trail will bring participants on a walking tour around Belfast with stops in venues and buildings where performances of traditional music will take place. 

During Sound of Belfast there will also be talks on music copyright and contracts for musicians, the future of streaming music, how to get paid as a performing musician, and a Speed Sessions event on 7 November that will see participants take part in fast-paced, one-on-one meetings with industry professionals such as managers, those working with record labels, distribution services, creative directors and promoters. 

There are a range of various other events taking place in Belfast throughout the festival. For more, visit soundofbelfast.com/events