I'm thinking about going to Queen's university in belfast starting in September, but I wanted to ask about the music scene. I've always played irish music cos my Dad's from Derry and I've done loads of Fleadhs. However, i have an english accent and live in lancashire- are there likely to be any problems nowadays with me being english?
Anyway back to the real reason i wanted to open this discussion, I'm hopefully coming to belfast for a couple of nights for an open day and I'm going to be around on a monday and tuesday night. Are there any ace sessions around then, particularly in the university district?
Thanks a lot!
Hi there Roisin, from a Derry man in Florida. Don't be concerned with your accent. You'll fit in nicely at Queens and the great session scene in Belfast.
It's been years since I was last in Belfast but there are plenty about the board, so I'm told, who will point you in the right direction for sessions.
Roisin, being English always was the safest option in Belfast, you are just English, therefore not a threat or worth bothering, no-one even cares what religion you are because religion is only applied to natives.
Roisin, just after I first came over here, 14 years ago, my Belfast manager had to fill out an 'equal opportunities' form for all his staff & without asking me, he just put me down as a Catholic.
When he told me about this at the next staff meeting, I said that that was very interesting & asked him how he came to the conclusion that I was Catholic. He replied that it was obvious I was a Catholic because I played that Diddley music.
So when I told him that I had in fact been Christened as a gid Scots Protestant, he said - "What, but have you never been a Catholic?"
You'll have a brilliant time in Belfast. No probs. Great music. Great people. Wicked sense of humour. Oh, & you don't have far to travel for some cracking festivals throughout the year.
I'd say go for it.
There are plenty of english accents floating around belfast, its a multi cultural society nowadays. you can catch great sessions in madden's both on monday and tuesday nights, one of the players on tuesday nights is from yorkshire.
I've visited Belfast on many occasions and never experienced any problems - mind you, I didn't drop into any pubs on Sandy Row or the Shankill Road.
As Northernstyle writes, Madden's is a good bet, but you should also try the John Hewitt on Donegall Street on a Tuesday. As far as I'm aware, there aren't any sessions in the University area on Mondays or Tuesdays, but, to see the grimier side of Belfast life, you should drop into The Eg or The Bot on Malone Road.
there used to be a crackin session at the Liverpool Bar on a Sunday night, where did they all move on to, we used to love playing there when visiting from Scotland
Hi Roisín I play in Belfast in Maddens on a Monday night at 9.30pm, its quite an advanced session, but we love to see new faces coming through the door !
Also as someone else mentioned Maddens also on a Tuesday at 9pm again quite an advanced sesssion but as before they love to see new players.
Let us know when you are coming and we can arrange to meet you.
Saturday evening session is run by Steve Porter the piper and Kevin Mc Cullough on Fiddle with various guest players every week. Good session, starts at around 9.30pm and it can get very noisy, so bring your good ear, you`re going to need it !
There is no afternoon session that I know of, but then again, I wouldnt as I play in the Culturlann on a Saturday afternoon, although if it is tunes you want during the day on a Saturday, probably Mc Hughes is the best bet, good tunes, good atmosphere, also Steve Porter and Kevin.
Roisin, Belfast is a brilliant town for music. I've often been tempted to move there, but the economics just don't work. We are currently planning our next visit however!
Madden's is always on my list. It's a great place for a session.
Great Jodie, hows the wife? Tell her I was asking for her. When are you coming to Belfast?
There are a lot of people planning to visit at the minute, we also have a few from Italy coming in June, let us know whats happening and we can meet up with you both when you are over seeing Martin and Christine.
I'm hopefully coming over 27th/28th March. I'll let you know which day I'll be at Madden's-maybe both depends if I find anywhere else 2nd day! How many people usually play at the session? Can you give me an idea of any standard session tunes everyone knows there? Standards change everywhere- I went to sess in Sligo once and only knew about 2 tunes cos they were all newly written ones. Let me know thanks!!!
It can be anything between 3 players and 9.
The tunes vary depending on who is there, but myself Breandan Ohare, John McGreevy and Barry Kerr play there as the core musicians, so dont worry I`m sure we'll find some tunes to please everyone, we are into good old standards, none of that fancy new stuff for us !. Its not a racy session but still fast enough to keep a healthy pace. I'm looking forward to meeting you Roisín, so give me a personal e-mail through this forum and I'll give you a phone number, so that we can arrange to meet up before the session if you want.
The muisc scene is very strong up here at the minute and there are no shortage of sessions to choose from, although some of the best sets this year have been in house sessions, another great perk to living in Belfast !
Belfast music
Belfast music
Hi everyone
I'm thinking about going to Queen's university in belfast starting in September, but I wanted to ask about the music scene. I've always played irish music cos my Dad's from Derry and I've done loads of Fleadhs. However, i have an english accent and live in lancashire- are there likely to be any problems nowadays with me being english?
Anyway back to the real reason i wanted to open this discussion, I'm hopefully coming to belfast for a couple of nights for an open day and I'm going to be around on a monday and tuesday night. Are there any ace sessions around then, particularly in the university district?
Thanks a lot!
# Posted on March 3rd 2006 by RoisinB
Re: Belfast music
Hi there Roisin, from a Derry man in Florida. Don't be concerned with your accent. You'll fit in nicely at Queens and the great session scene in Belfast.
It's been years since I was last in Belfast but there are plenty about the board, so I'm told, who will point you in the right direction for sessions.
Good luck
# Posted on March 3rd 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: Belfast music
Btw.....being Friday night you may not get too many replies until tomorrow. Most guys should be out playing.
# Posted on March 3rd 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: Belfast music
Roisin, being English always was the safest option in Belfast, you are just English, therefore not a threat or worth bothering, no-one even cares what religion you are because religion is only applied to natives.
You should love Queen's, and Belfast.
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Belfast music
what a great reply bodran bliss - you are spot on
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by black
Re: Belfast music
Roisin, just after I first came over here, 14 years ago, my Belfast manager had to fill out an 'equal opportunities' form for all his staff & without asking me, he just put me down as a Catholic.
When he told me about this at the next staff meeting, I said that that was very interesting & asked him how he came to the conclusion that I was Catholic. He replied that it was obvious I was a Catholic because I played that Diddley music.
So when I told him that I had in fact been Christened as a gid Scots Protestant, he said - "What, but have you never been a Catholic?"
You'll have a brilliant time in Belfast. No probs. Great music. Great people. Wicked sense of humour. Oh, & you don't have far to travel for some cracking festivals throughout the year.
I'd say go for it.
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Belfast music
There are plenty of english accents floating around belfast, its a multi cultural society nowadays. you can catch great sessions in madden's both on monday and tuesday nights, one of the players on tuesday nights is from yorkshire.
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by northernstyle
Re: Belfast music
Roisin - If you have a broad Lancashire accent, it's probably closer to an Ulster accent than a Southern English one, anyway.
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Belfast music
I go to Queens and play traditional music, but I didn't know about the sessions! inform me more, pubs and directions please!
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by TyroneMick
Re: Belfast music
Hi, Roisin,
I've visited Belfast on many occasions and never experienced any problems - mind you, I didn't drop into any pubs on Sandy Row or the Shankill Road.
As Northernstyle writes, Madden's is a good bet, but you should also try the John Hewitt on Donegall Street on a Tuesday. As far as I'm aware, there aren't any sessions in the University area on Mondays or Tuesdays, but, to see the grimier side of Belfast life, you should drop into The Eg or The Bot on Malone Road.
All the best,
Geoff
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Belfast music
there used to be a crackin session at the Liverpool Bar on a Sunday night, where did they all move on to, we used to love playing there when visiting from Scotland
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by Dave_
Re: Belfast music
RoisinB, have you seen these:
Visit Virtual Belfast here:
http://www.gotobelfast.com/index.cfm?type=page&level=page&category_key=199&Page_Key=362
Or take the Belfast Pub Tour here:
http://www.gotobelfast.com/index.cfm?type=page&level=page&category_key=199&Page_Key=342
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Belfast music
Thank you Black, I rarely receive recognition for my astuteness on this site.
# Posted on March 4th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Belfast music
Dave,
The Liverpool Bar crowd moved on to the John Hewitt.
All the best,
Geoff
# Posted on March 5th 2006 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Belfast music
Thanks everyone! I'll definitely check out some of the sessions when I'm over there later this month. Madden's sounds a decent bet. Thanks again!!!
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by RoisinB
Re: Belfast music
Hi Roisín I play in Belfast in Maddens on a Monday night at 9.30pm, its quite an advanced session, but we love to see new faces coming through the door !
Also as someone else mentioned Maddens also on a Tuesday at 9pm again quite an advanced sesssion but as before they love to see new players.
Let us know when you are coming and we can arrange to meet you.
Maria
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by blas
Re: Belfast music
maria is Kelly's still runing the Saturday afternoon/evening session? if so, who plays there these days?
cheers
Cx
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Belfast music
Saturday evening session is run by Steve Porter the piper and Kevin Mc Cullough on Fiddle with various guest players every week. Good session, starts at around 9.30pm and it can get very noisy, so bring your good ear, you`re going to need it !
There is no afternoon session that I know of, but then again, I wouldnt as I play in the Culturlann on a Saturday afternoon, although if it is tunes you want during the day on a Saturday, probably Mc Hughes is the best bet, good tunes, good atmosphere, also Steve Porter and Kevin.
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by blas
Re: Belfast music
Thankx Geoff for info on Liverpool Bar crowd
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by Dave_
Re: Belfast music
Cheers Maria
I haven't heard Kevin yet. Someday soon....
Cx
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Belfast music
Liverpool bar, RIP
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Belfast music
Yip. What a lose.
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by blas
Re: Belfast music
Roisin, Belfast is a brilliant town for music. I've often been tempted to move there, but the economics just don't work. We are currently planning our next visit however!
Madden's is always on my list. It's a great place for a session.
Hey Maria, how's things?
# Posted on March 6th 2006 by Jode
Re: Belfast music
Great Jodie, hows the wife? Tell her I was asking for her. When are you coming to Belfast?
There are a lot of people planning to visit at the minute, we also have a few from Italy coming in June, let us know whats happening and we can meet up with you both when you are over seeing Martin and Christine.
Mariax
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by blas
Re: Belfast music
Hi Maria!
I'm hopefully coming over 27th/28th March. I'll let you know which day I'll be at Madden's-maybe both depends if I find anywhere else 2nd day! How many people usually play at the session? Can you give me an idea of any standard session tunes everyone knows there? Standards change everywhere- I went to sess in Sligo once and only knew about 2 tunes cos they were all newly written ones. Let me know thanks!!!
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by RoisinB
Re: Belfast music
It can be anything between 3 players and 9.
The tunes vary depending on who is there, but myself Breandan Ohare, John McGreevy and Barry Kerr play there as the core musicians, so dont worry I`m sure we'll find some tunes to please everyone, we are into good old standards, none of that fancy new stuff for us !. Its not a racy session but still fast enough to keep a healthy pace. I'm looking forward to meeting you Roisín, so give me a personal e-mail through this forum and I'll give you a phone number, so that we can arrange to meet up before the session if you want.
The muisc scene is very strong up here at the minute and there are no shortage of sessions to choose from, although some of the best sets this year have been in house sessions, another great perk to living in Belfast !
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by blas