A series of musicians and industry figures are supporting the plans to establish a dedicated music centre for Belfast. Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, Tim Wheeler from Ash and Radio1’s Colin Murray are among the active supporters of the project, which is called Oh Yeah.
The venue is a former bonded whiskey warehouse in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast’s booming cultural district. It measures 14, 500 square feet over three floors and will soon be home to rehearsal rooms, performance space, a café and office units to incubate new music businesses.
Gary Lightbody helped to kick-start the process during a visit home in December 2005. He first visited the site on Gordon Street in August 2006. “It’s perfect,” he said.
Later, he expanded his thoughts:
“What the Patrol would have given for the advice of professionals; the space to rehearse or cut demos; a place to hang out and listen to music and meet people that might one day change your life. “What is needed is a nexus to focus musical energy into and to unite the Belfast music scene in a way that has been elusive until now. It is staggering how simple music is when you boil it down: people, together.”
The scheme has been driven in Belfast by three main figures. Stuart Bailie is the former Assistant Editor of the New Musical Express, who has been presenting radio programmes for the BBC since 1999. Martin Neill is a multi-media professional and head of the web design business, No More Art. David Matchett has been involved in business and banking for the past ten years and shares the team’s passion for music.
Tim Wheeler from Ash issued the following message of support:
“I think this is a fantastic, long-overdue idea for Belfast.
The music scene in Belfast needs a hub like this. It has a wealth of musical
talent, but talent needs the right conditions to grow and develop. The music
centre would be a great place for this to start. I've known Stuart Bailie
for over ten years, he has a massive inside knowledge of the music industry,
all the right contacts and is the perfect person to carry this idea out.”
The team expects to be installed in the building in February 2007. An ambitious renovation schedule is planned, to include a new roof and rewiring, disability access and a suitable lift, plus the installation of rehearsal space.
A meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Of State, Peter Hain, was highly positive, and Oh Yeah is now in discussion with various funding bodies. A number of music-related businesses have already expressed an interest in taking up space in the building. The Oh Yeah team is already talking to potential sponsors and media partners.
