Help Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre win the coveted Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene award
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Last updated 6th Mar 2024
The community is urged to rally behind Oh Yeah Music Centre in its quest for the Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene award. Casting a vote takes just 30 seconds at vote.ohyeahbelfast.com
The Oh Yeah Music Centre is embarking on a mission to become the first Northern Irish venue to win the 'Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene' award supported by Music Venue Trust at this year's Music Week Awards in London.
While Northern Irish venues have rightfully graced the nominee list in the past, the accolade has yet to find its way back to the North.
TO VOTE – CLICK HERE
Oh Yeah is now determined to bring the award home in 2024, not just for the centre but for the entire community involved in running venues across Northern Ireland.
Since its inception in 2007, Oh Yeah has stood as a steadfast pillar of support for Belfast's dynamic music community, providing an array of services and resources.
As both a dedicated music hub and charity, Oh Yeah Music Centre offers affordable rehearsal space, youth outreach programs, and hosts the city-wide festival, Sound of Belfast.
It is also the proud home of the NI Music Exhibition, a project dedicated to preserving and inspiring audiences with Northern Ireland's rich musical heritage, showcasing Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music.
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody said, ‘‘When Stuart Bailie and I had the idea for Oh Yeah back in the day we always hoped it could be a place where people might get together and make music.
He continues: “A place where anyone from any background in NI could meet people and start a band or learn about any aspect of the music industry from song writing, to rehearsing, to band management, to studio production, to live gig promotion, to DJing and as many aspects of a life in music as possible. From its humble beginnings to what it is now is dizzying to think of. It has far out-performed our original vision and has become an essential and ever-evolving part of the NI music landscape.
“I’m so proud of what Charlotte Dryden and her incredible team have done over the years to help musicians and music in our wee country and I’m delighted the place has been recognised in this award nomination for all that awesome work. Good luck to the Oh Yeah crew at the awards. Norn Irish music deserves a big win.’’
At the core of Oh Yeah lies the venue, with its vibrant performance space serving as the beating heart of the hub, connecting countless impactful projects. Recent years have seen significant enhancements, including the installation of a state-of-the-art PA system, cementing its reputation as one of the foremost small venues across the UK and Ireland.
What sets Oh Yeah apart is its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive community through a variety of programs, such as Acoustic Picnic, Volume Control, Elevate, Youth Open Mic, and initiatives for Arts and Older People, including those with dementia and their caregivers.
Through these endeavors, Oh Yeah has become synonymous with collaboration, creativity, and connection in Belfast's thriving music scene - truly embodying the spirit of the scene.
The deadline for votes closes Thursday, March 14th at 5pm, so be sure to get involved!
Visit vote.ohyeahbelfast.com for more info
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