25.09.2026: UK Music led a Northern Irish music industry workshop session entitled ‘Write Northern Ireland’s Manifesto for Music’ at the OUTPUT Belfast music conference. 

The session, held on September 24th, built on a summer of industry engagement by UK Music to shape the policies that will form our Manifesto for Music, Northern Ireland, to be published in early 2027 ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections. 

The session, moderated by UK Music’s Director of Campaigns and Engagement Olga FitzRoy, saw groups discuss three key topics. Each group was chaired by UK Music members – Charlene Hegarty for the Musicians’ Union, producer Rocky O’Reilly for the MPG, and UK Music Head of Policy and Public Affairs Helen Deller. 

Delegates discussed examples of best practice in Northern Ireland, with live music and a sense of community being held up as key strengths of the sector in Northern Ireland. The Flead, held for the first time in Belfast this Summer, and the Oh Yeah centre were highlighted as flagship initiatives that have had a significant positive impact on music in the city. 

The discussion on international good practice focused on the need to increase Northern Irish arts funding, which lags significantly behind other UK nations and countries in Europe, and included positive feedback on the Artist Basic Income, recently introduced in the Republic of Ireland. 

A discussion on leadership looked into what more was needed to ensure the music sector gets the political support and prioritisation it needs from government. The difficulties in ministers often having very broad briefs were highlighted, and delegates felt that an understanding of the creative sector and business was essential, as well as the ability to successfully navigate the political system. The creation of a new role was considered, with different roles weighed up, such as a Music Champion, a Night Czar or Junior Minister for culture or creative industries.  

The UK Music team also attended showcase events at Ulster Social Club watching Niall McDowell, Reevah and the Shamrock Showband, as well as visiting Start Together Studios in the Oh Yeah Centre, with UK Music Board Director and MPG Executive Director Cameron Craig.