The duo Dave Robb and Gary Gates are appearing at BelNash for the first time with a new set of tunes written during and since lockdown. Their trademark sound comes from a distinctive combination of guitar and bouzouki plus their tight vocal harmonies.
Dave and Gary have written songs together since 2003. Their gigs include a live TV appearance on TG4’s ‘Ardan’ and a tour of North Germany. Dave has already played several times at BelNash with the group The Corncrakes. Previously as a solo artist he toured supporting the Proclaimers and played the Reading Festival among others.
From Newcastle Co Down, Noel McClean started late in life song writing but soon developed a love of the craft. He writes wonderful story songs and performs them with his distinctive voice and style.
If you haven’t heard Noel before, make sure to catch him this time.
Alice LA is a versatile creative pop artist. Her music is upbeat, and her shows are full of high energy.
She has performed at festivals across Ireland including Stendhal, Sunflower, Output and had a sold-out show in KOKO Camden as part of a Capital Xtra night. Her music has been played on BBC radio, Today FM, Play Irish initiative from IASCA and many more.
To date Alice LA has released two singles and an album that was nominated for the NI Music Prize for best album.
Returning to Belfast Nashville are Americana trio The Hideaways. This year, as well as the four tracks from their Live Studio E.P. the band have added new songs to the set and can't wait to share them in public. The focus will then turn to recording later in the year.
Kerry Fearon
Bernadette Morris
Brigid O Neill
Janet Henry
Remembering Nanci Griffith
Kerry Fearon, Bernadette Morris, Brigid O’Neill, Janet Henry
Nanci Griffith was a great friend to the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and performed, over many years, in concert and ‘In the Round’ with local songwriters.
Every year that Nanci came to BelNash she also took part in Panarts outreach programme, in local Primary Schools across Belfast, where she sang and encouraged the pupils to be creative and write songs.
We were deeply saddened to hear that Nanci passed away on 13 August 2021. She was a wonderful songwriter and will be sadly missed but we will always remember her through her wonderful music.
We have four great performers helping us remember Nanci through her wonderful songs.
Kerry Fearon is no stranger to country & americana music. She presented on Downtown Radio and had her own Boots’N’Roots radio show. In 2020 she received an award for her debut album at the Academy of Western awards, Texas. She has since released 3 singles including a Nanci Griffith song from her follow up album.
Building on the success of her highly acclaimed recordings, Irish singer-songwriter, Bernadette Morris continues to wow audiences with her fresh take on traditional Irish folk songs, modern versions of lilting Gaelic laments and her wonderful collection of original material.
Her recent single releases include co-writes with Eleanor McEvoy and Declan Sinnott.
In recent years Brigid O’Neill has gained the reputation as one of Ireland’s finest songwriters. Reviews of her music have shown the gifted artist is one of the most versatile, unique and fearless storytellers on the island. Her music appeals to multiple generations, effortlessly weaving elements of folk, country and jazz into her songs.
In a review about Janet Henry, music critic Colin Harper wrote “To have a world-class voice is a rare blessing; to have world-class songwriting as well is incredible.”
Janet performed twice with Nanci Griffith at BelNash and considers it a great honour to perform Nanci’s music at the festival she loved so much.