Welcome to
Oh Yeah

Welcome to the Oh Yeah Music Centre, where local music is celebrated and supported! Since 2007, we have been Belfast’s dedicated music hub and are proud to promote, showcase and develop the incredible talent that Northern Ireland has to offer.

People enjoying a concert or event, with string lights hanging from the ceiling, and a woman in the center smiling with her hands raised, wearing a mauve shiny jacket and patterned scarf.

Open Doors To Music…

As a leading Belfast music venue, our mission is to provide a welcoming, inclusive space where emerging and established musicians can thrive. We offer affordable rehearsal and recording facilities, music mentoring, youth and older people’s programmes, live gigs, music tours, and talent development opportunities - all designed to nurture Belfast’s music community.

Our award-winning venue is more than just a performance space. The Oh Yeah Music Centre features a renowned Music Exhibition that celebrates Northern Ireland’s rich musical heritage, with memorabilia from iconic artists like Snow Patrol, Van Morrison, and Stiff Little Fingers. Whether you're a music history buff or a live music enthusiast, our exhibition and events promise a truly immersive experience.

We’re proud curators of Sound of Belfast, the annual festival that shines a spotlight on the city’s music scene, and the Northern Ireland Music Prize, which honours the best of Northern Ireland’s musical talent. These flagship events reflect our commitment to elevating local artists and promoting Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music.

At Oh Yeah Music Centre, we are deeply passionate about supporting the local music scene and are constantly looking for ways to grow and expand our offerings. From hosting workshops and masterclasses to running top-quality gigs that span across all genres, we strive to be the go-to destination for anyone interested in music in Belfast.

Group of five men standing indoors, dressed in formal and casual clothing, posing for a photo.

L-R: Davy Matchett, Peter Hain (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2005-2007), Gary Lightbody, Stuart Ballie, Martin Neill.

Our Story

Oh Yeah Music Centre was born from a simple but powerful belief: that music can transform lives and communities. In 2005, four passionate individuals came together with a shared vision to create a space that would support and celebrate Northern Ireland’s musical talent, and open the doors of opportunity to the next generation.

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, broadcaster and journalist Stuart Bailie, music manager Davy Matchett, and digital entrepreneur Martin Neill were the founding forces behind Oh Yeah. Frustrated by the lack of infrastructure for emerging artists in Belfast and beyond, they imagined a place where young musicians could access rehearsal space, mentoring, gigs, studio time and industry support – regardless of background or budget. Chaired by John D’Arcy, with the addition of Mike Edgar and Lisa McElherron, our newly formed board gave us the tools to take the next steps in the Oh Yeah journey

Backed by Gary and driven by the team’s belief in making music more accessible, Oh Yeah opened its doors in 2007 in a converted whiskey warehouse in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, leased to the organisation by Billy McBurney. The name, taken from the iconic song by Ash, captured the sense of pride, possibility and momentum at the heart of the project.

Since then, Oh Yeah has grown into a vital part of Northern Ireland’s music ecosystem: a venue, a hub, a safe space, and a launchpad. But at its heart, it still holds tight to the values it was founded on; creativity, community, and the idea that music is for everyone.

Meet
The Team

When we opened our doors in the summer of 2007, we had no staff, just fanatical volunteers. In June 2008, Stuart Bailie (founding CEO) and Charlotte Dryden became the centre's first official workers. Since then, we have grown to eleven core staff members who allow this amazing project to roll the way that it does.

In 2016, Oh Yeah entered a new phase. Stuart Bailie announced he would be moving on. In June, Charlotte was appointed as CEO and in October, Damien McAdams took up the new position of Operations Director.

OUR BOARD

Oh Yeah continues to thrive thanks to the dedication, expertise, and guidance of our board. Made up of individuals with diverse skills and experience, they play a vital role in shaping our vision, ensuring good governance, and championing our mission to support music and creativity across Northern Ireland. Their commitment helps us grow, adapt, and keep music at the heart of everything we do.

Paul Evans (Chair) 

Jeremy Fitch 

Gerard Murray 

Paul McClean 

Harry Martin

Gemma Bradley 

Colin Reid

Tara Craig

Sara Mooney 

Vincenta Leyden

Stephen Hardy

Awards & Achievements

  • Colorful circular logo with petals in purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and pink above the text 'ocn' and 'northern ireland'.

    Inspiring Tutor of the Year

    Caoimhe O’Connor: Highly Commended

    2024

  • Music Week Awards 2024 winner badge with gold and black circular design.

    Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene

    Winner

    2024

  • Logo of OCN Northern Ireland featuring a colorful spiral design above the text.

    Provider Of The Year Award

    Highly Commended

    2023

  • Logo of OC Northern Ireland featuring a multicolored circular design and text.

    Provider Of The Year Award

    Highly Commended

    2022

  • Logo of OCN Northern Ireland, featuring a colorful circular swirl above the text 'OCN northern ireland'.

    Provider Of The Year Award

    Highly Commended

    2021

  • Logo with the words "creative & cultural skills" in black and purple text.

    Mentor Of The Year

    Sian O’Neill & Charlene Hegarty: Winners

    2019

  • Logo for Arts & Business Northern Ireland Awards with pink and purple design.

    New Sponsor Award

    Finalist

    2018

  • Logo for Arts & Business Northern Ireland Awards with a purple triangle and a stylized white 'B' on a pink background.

    Sound Of Belfast Festival

    Highly Commended, with Molson Coors

    2018

  • Logo featuring the text "CO3" with "Chief Officers 3rd Sector" underneath.

    CEO Of The Year

    Charlotte Dryden: Shortlisted for Best Newcomer

    2018

  • Logo for Music Week Awards 2017 with colorful geometric design and Amazon Music branding.

    Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene

    Finalist

    2017

  • National Geographic logo with black background and yellow rectangular border.

    National Geographic Magazine

    Top 10 Things To Do In Northern Ireland

    2017

  • Logo with text 'creative & cultural skills' in black and purple font, arranged in a vertical layout.

    Mentor Of The Year

    Sian O’Neill and Charlene Hegarty: Winners

    2017

  • Logo for Arts & Business Northern Ireland Awards with a purple and pink abstract background.

    Board Member Of The Year

    Ellie McGimpsey: Highly Commended

    2016

  • Logo of Alzheimer's Society with a blue butterfly design and the text 'Alzheimer's Society, United Against Dementia'

    Dementia Friendly Awards

    Paul Kane & The Maritime Blues Note Project: Outstanding Contribution

    2016

  • Logo for the DANI Awards featuring a pink and black color scheme with a star in the letter D, and bold text that says 'THE DANI AWARDS'.

    DANI Awards: Online Strategy

    Not-For-Profit Section: Shortlisted

    2015

  • Logo of Policing & Community Safety Partnerships with blue and green intertwined initials 'P' and 'S' and the full name to the right.

    Thomas Devlin Arts & Creativity Award

    Winner

    2014

  • RBS bank logo with blue emblem and text

    Inspiring Youth Enterprise Award

    Winner

    2014

  • WorldHost logo with a blue and yellow dotted circle and the text 'WorldHost' and 'Recognition for Excellent Customer Service'

    World Host Recognised Business

    Northern Ireland

    2013

  • NI for Kids Family Awards logo with green text on black background.

    Family Event Of The Year

    Shortlisted

    2013

  • Arts & Business Northern Ireland Awards logo with pink and purple design elements.

    Cultural Branding Award

    Shortlisted

    2013

  • Logo for Arts & Business Northern Ireland Awards with pink watercolor background, purple triangle, and stylized 'B' letter.

    Arts Award

    Shortlisted

    2013

  • Black and white logo with a stylized flowing design and text that is not clearly readable.

    Make The Difference Awards

    Best Project: Winner

    2012

  • Tourism Northern Ireland logo with a colorful hexagon and text

    Best Festival Award

    Belfast Music Week: Winner

    2012

  • Logo of The Irish Times with black text on a transparent background.

    The Irish Times

    Top 100 Creative Catalysts In Ireland List

    2012

  • Simple black and white line drawing of a cookie with a bite taken out.

    Woman Of The Year

    CEO Charlotte Dryden: Shortlisted

    2012

  • Logo of Tourism Northern Ireland featuring a colorful hexagon graphic and blue text.

    Best New Product

    Recognition for Belfast Music Initiative with lead partner Belfast City Council, Culture NI & Filmtrip

    2011

  • Logo for the Belfast Business Awards featuring a stylized gold trophy and bold green text.

    Best Creative Business

    Shortlisted

    2011

  • Visit Britain logo with a red, white, and blue abstract design and the text 'Visit Britain' beneath it.

    Top 10 UK Music Attractions

    Belfast Music Bus Tour

    2011

  • NME logo in black and red text on a transparent background

    Best Small Venues Award

    Shortlisted

    2011

  • Belfast Media logo featuring colorful interwoven lines and text

    Top 40 Under 40 Awards

    Creative Development Manager Charlotte Dryden Recognised

    2010

  • Logo of Belfast Media with colorful intertwined lines and the text 'Belfast Media'.

    Aisling Awards

    Shortlisted: Cultural & Arts Section

    2009

  • Logo of Belfast Media with multicolored interconnected lines to the left of the text 'Belfast Media'.

    Top 50 Business In Belfast

    Sponsored by BT and InvestNI

    2007

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