Foy Vance and special guests announced to headline CHSq 2026

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 3rd Nov 2025

Following his recent run of sold out Grand Opera House and Waterfront Hall shows, Northern Ireland-born, Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter Foy Vance is pleased to announce a very special show at Custom House Square, Belfast.

📍 Saturday 15th August 2026

Featuring a host of special guests, including musicians Joshua Burnside and Bonnie Bishop, comedian Vittorio Angelone, and poet Jon Plunkett.

Foy recently shared two new songs, “A.I.” and “Call Me Anytime.” The double single release marks Vance’s Rounder Records debut, and the distinct tracks showcase his truly singular artistry and his soulful convergence of folk and Southern blues.

“A.I.” is a gloriously chaotic, 9-minute outcry on the rampant ascent of AI. Conceptualized by Vance as a prison yard lament, the track ultimately takes the form of a life-affirming revolt, channelling an exhilarating energy by way of its gospel-tinged harmonies and frenetic guitar work. The song went through a number of iterations and was never recorded the same twice, as the intent was to be as human and imperfect as possible.

“I was thinking how AI might come to the conclusion that humans are a waste of time, considering how they’ve hurtled this planet toward destruction, and that the best way to save the world would be to get rid of them,” says Vance on the track. “It’s a dystopian thought but it got me curious about what we have that AI lacks, and the answer is imperfection - so the entire premise of the song was to be as human as possible. Part of the whole point was to suck the fear out and put a bit of comedy into it. There’s nothing that you or I or anyone like us can do to change the course of AI, but what we can do is celebrate what we have right now.”

In contrast, the tender “Call Me Anytime” is Vance’s reflection on the many dimensions of his experience in fatherhood. With his powerfully gritty vocal work on full display, the stripped-down ballad journeys from bittersweet reminiscence to a rapturous sense of wonder.

Both tracks were written by Vance and produced by Ethan Johns, the Brit Award–winning producer known for his work with Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne, and more.

How to get tickets:

Tickets on sale Friday November 07th at 10am viaticketmaster.ie

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