Oh yeah: 10 Years and Beyond

Oh Yeah 10 Years and Beyond

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

1 Introduction 2 Gary Lightbody 4 Mike Edgar 5 The Beginning 8 Davy Matchett 9 Martin Neill 10 The Beginning 14 Lisa McElherron 15 John D’Arcy 16 Start Together Studio 18 Tenants 21 Rehearsal Rooms 22 Volunteers

Contents

25 Gallery 30 NI Music Exhibition 32 Volume Control 36 Scratch 40 Outreach 42 Arts and Older People 44 Belfast Music Week 46 NI Music Prize 48 Oh Yeah Legend Award 50 Staff 52 Special Projects 54 The Next 10 Years 56 Thanks

So here it is, the ten year journey of Oh Yeah, condensed into a modest 60 page booklet.

Of course the story goes back further than that, but the building, the physical space, the bricks and mortar that the founding members worked so hard for, opened to the public on May 5, 2007. Those early days are documented in the pages that follow. The projects, events and people that make up the fabric of the building lighting up the middle section of the booklet, while our thoughts on the next ten years and beyond brings it to a close.

Bernie McAlister

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Since 2007 almost 200,000 visitors, audiences and participants have been through doors, and over 5,000 musicians have rehearsed, performed or created music here. I became a member of the Oh Yeah family back in 2008, and I am proud to have played my part in taking the centre to where it is today, a vibrant and welcoming space. A dedicated music hub contributing not only to society, the economy, culture and tourism but to the wellbeing of people, their creativity and the colour, life, memories, and emotions that comes from music. All thanks to the artists, producers and makers of music, the staff, board, volunteers, tenants, visitors and audiences, that have breathed life into our hub over the last ten years.

Key moments are too many to count, but let this booklet give you an idea of how far we’ve come.

Charlotte Dryden CEO, Oh Yeah Music Centre Introduction

1

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

It can’t be done they said. No f****,ing way they said. You’ve no chance mate, they said.

But never listening to naysayers. I jumped over the three, long-ways milk crates on my BMX anyway. Also we built the Oh Yeah centre and it’s bloody awesome.

In late 2005 Stuart Bailie and I sat nursing drinks (he didn’t have Baileys although I’m telling the story so yeah he did. He had Baileys. Bailie’s Baileys as it will be referred to henceforth) in Robinson’s Bar and plotted to build Belfast the music centre it had long deserved. Thing is we didn’t really know how to do it. We needed people that knew things we didn’t. And therein lies the secret to the Oh Yeah centre: finding people that know things you don’t and asking

Bradley Quinn

2

Gary Lightbody

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

them for help. Early Oh Yeah captains were Marty Neill, John and Jackie D’Arcy and me auld mucker Davy Matchett. People that knew things about finance and how to get it, buildings and how to find them and computers and how to switch them on. This augmented Stuart’s encyclopaedic knowledge of music and everything he learned in many years as a magazine editor and my almost Jedilike skill with making tea. That was only the beginning though as we seemed to gather great and tireless people around the project as we went. People that very quickly seemed to take the idea to heart and make it their own. And there is secret Number Two of the Oh Yeah centre: it can be many things to many people. It’s a rehearsal space, it’s management offices, it’s record companies, thanks to Rocky O’Reilly it’s a studio, it’s a place to hang out and meet and make friends, a venue, a place of work, of play, of fun, of laughter, of tears (good tears if the right song comes on) and am sure someone has fallen in love in there too. Terri Hooley kissed me full on the lips in there one night and if that ain’t love I don’t know what is.

The thing that makes me the happiest when I go to the Oh Yeah or think of it is that so many people have already started bands, played gigs, watched bands and learned about music inside its walls and now an entirely new generation of Belfast musicians and music fans are now coming through its doors than when we opened ten years ago. Yes many of the same faces from those days still come and God bless them all but also every week new people come to hear music or get involved in music in some way. Belfast is a music city.

It’s a tough city sure but it always had a big heart and maybe that big heart got a bit buried over the years and you damn well need places like the Oh Yeah to let that heart beat freely and loudly.

I would also like to say a fond farewell to our outgoing Chief Executive Stuart Bailie. Thank you mate for everything you did for Oh Yeah. You are a legend. And to our new Chief Executive Charlotte Dryden a massive congratulations. Charlotte has been a part of the Oh Yeah team for years and hers are very safe hands indeed to lead us into the future. All the very best Charlotte.

So raise a glass, a Bailie’s Baileys if you will, to Oh Yeah and all the splendid folks who make it magnificent. Thank you all for ten great years and here’s to many many more.

Gary Lightbody President, Oh Yeah Gary Lightbody

3

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

From the moment Stu walked me into the semi derelict building on Gordon Street and said, ‘what do you think?’, I knew this was definitely the right choice. This was a space worth fighting for, in the spirit of let’s just do it – we don’t need permission and actually, if you don’t get the vibe, we don’t need your money either. It wasn’t a bad mantra.

One of the most surreal moments was jumping in a car with Gary Lightbody, Stu Bailie, Marty Neill, Davy Matchett, John D’Arcy and Lisa McElherron for a trip to Stormont to try and convince our local politicians it was time to invest in music in Northern Ireland and Oh Yeah – a bizarre and interesting meeting on so many levels.

Long Live the Good Ship ‘Oh Yeah’ – God bless you Stu, Charlotte and all the Oh Yeah family past and present!

Mike Edgar Vice Chair, founding Oh Yeah Board member

Carrie Davenport

I had the honour of taking to the stage with The Undertones on the occasion of their Oh Yeah Legend Award, drumming with Paul Kane’s house band for Stuart Bailie’s birthday, marveling at Tim Wheeler’s solo gig, expelling copious amounts

of energy at Joe Lindsay’s Palookaville nights, listening to the first bands to grace our new rehearsal rooms, having a cup of coffee with Gary Moore’s dad and the excitement of securing money to refurbish the lift to allow us to move gear throughout the building.

4

Mike Edgar

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Some other time, we’ll tell you stories about Guy Garvey singing ‘Teenage Kicks’ here, about Two Door Cinema Club’s showcase gig, about the afternoon that Oh Yeah was invaded by Pete Docherty and his pal Terri Hooley. Ask us nicely and we’ll try to remember when Elijah Wood was the house DJ. We could namedrop about Foy Vance dropping by with Ed Sheeran and hey, we once had to persuade Duke Special from suspending a ballerina off the ceiling.

But also, there were many cranked-up anxieties and severe learning curves. The payback was a collective energy that allowed awesome things to happen. Young people were smitten by music. We watched kitchen table projects turning into sharp business operations here. There was outreach and breakthroughs in community centres and dementia wards. Oh Yeah has made a difference. →

Bradley Quinn

The Building of Dreams: 15–21 Gordon St, Belfast, 2006.

Stuart Bailie CEO, Oh Yeah, 2008-16

The Beginning

5

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

The city deserved a proper resource for music and for the business of music. Bricks-andmortar. Soul and verve.

As far back as 1970, interested parties in Belfast have been talking about an arts lab. But in 2005 there was nothing that amounted to a dedicated music hub in the city. Yes, there was talking and meetings and rough schemes but it lacked focus, resources and get-go. So that was the big idea that was revived on an auspicious day: December 29.

Some members of Snow Patrol were back home for Christmas and so Gary Lightbody put out a call to local music people to meet. It was a rolling discussion, via Bar Bacca, Robinson’s and The Stiff Kitten. After many hours we concluded that indeed, the city deserved a proper resource for music and for the business of music. Bricks-and-mortar. Soul and verve.

2006 was the year of secret conversations, business models, doubt and elation. My background was in music journalism, broadcasting and PR. Marty Neill was a tech 6

The Beginning

Gavin Millar

Gavin Millar

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

and internet pioneer. Gary gave encouragement, creative input and brought in specialised advice. Johnny Quinn from Snow Patrol had helped to broker the idea. Davy Matchett knew Gary and Johnny from school, worked in banking and had played a role in the band’s story. The early team.

Marty’s friend Miriam Crozier suggested that we should check out the empty building on 15-21 Gordon Street. It had been home to Outlet, a record label and distribution company that had folded in 2004. It was dusty, huge and sited in a neutral place. And wow, it already housed a basic recording studio. We were in love.

Gavin Millar

Unfortunately, an architectural survey said it would cost £1.2 million to fit the building out. We decided that the project was too big for ourselves. It would be better as a not-for-profit idea and then we would look for donations and funding. An organisation called UnLtd that supported social enterprises gave us start-up help and we were rolling.

John D’Arcy was a music fan who understood structures of government and the voluntary sector. “Hearts like lions,” he said, when we showed him the vision and the site. He was an important guide to governance and methodology and was the first proper Chair. He introduced us to the accountant, Lowry Grant and to Paul Mallon, who got us constituted. → [12] The Beginning

7

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

In 2005 we wanted a music centre. A place where the doors would be open to everyone, there would be a mix of retail, a record shop where folk could hear music by Irish artists. There would be a cafe with ethically sourced ingredients. There would be an area where musicians could rehearse, a stage for them to perform.

There would be offi ce space for the incubation of new businesses.

A place where help would be available for a musician to develop coupled with assistance in ironing out potential creases in the road map of their young careers.

By 2006 we needed the input of many people. Accountants and solicitors helped with business plans, lease negotiations and constituting the organisation. Architects guided us as to what could be achieved, how much capital was needed and advised us that often it was easier to seek forgiveness than permission. We built a small Board of invaluable men and women with amazing skills.

In 2007 we decided to throw the doors open to show off our plans. To achieve this we needed more volunteers, people who believed in our vision, who gave of their time painting walls, cleaning toilets and hundreds of other glamorous jobs. On May 5, 2007 people travelled from all over Britain and Ireland to be a part of our plans and without them and the hundreds of people who invested time, money and eff ort there would not be an Oh Yeah Music Centre to celebrate.

8 8

Davy Matchett Co-founder and former Oh Yeah Board member

Davy Matchett

Stuart Bailie

Stuart Bailie

Below: Davy and Gary on Gordon St, 2006

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Liam McBurney

“There are moments in any project when you suspect that things are going to start working. For me Billy McBurney the Oh Yeah Music Centre started looking like a real thing when Miriam Crozier pointed us towards this former whiskey warehouse in the Cathedral Quarter which was then called the Outlet Building.

The day that Billy McBurney, the founder of Outlet Records, came down to meet us in the place will always live in my mind. Billy had retired a few years before and the smile on his face when he realised that a rag-tag bunch of people wanted to keep his legacy going and to keep music at the heart of his building in Gordon Street was beautiful.

Below: Marty and accountant Chris Panayi on Gordon St, 2006

Billy and his family showed us around and there it was, dusty and empty but with a recording studio already built and the sweat and stench of music in its walls. It was like we wished it and it appeared and in the perfect place too. Serendipity.

Billy gave us the lease on the building with a handshake that came from the depth of his being, it wasn’t a business decision. If Billy had been a business guy Oh Yeah would be a Starbucks or another bar today, but he was a pure music guy and is as much part of the reason that Oh Yeah exists as anyone.”

Marty Neill Oh Yeah co-founder and Board Member, 2007-08 Marty Neill

9

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Angela Reavey from BDO took our ambitious manifesto and made it sing like a good business plan. We came to understand the concept of pro bono, and how amazing people might help for free if they liked your ideas and they thought the community might benefit.

The same also applied to the solicitor John ‘Joe’ McKenna, who guided us over the details of the 20 year building lease.

We put on gigs, organised workshops and demonstrated our proof of concept. A few thousand people came to our Open Day on March 5, 2007. Some of our earliest and dearest volunteers turned up and became tour guides and future champions (shouts and sainthoods to Sian, Andy, Ciara, Scott, Chris and all). Meantime, Gary convinced Elbow to come and play and the mighty Jimmy Symington made a stage out of the old industrial racking.

James Nesbitt was the amusing, messy compere.

10

Bradley Quinn

Right: Gary and Guy Garvey at the Open Day, May 5, 2007.

Bradley Quinn

We formed a Board and went public in January 2007 after a meeting with Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in London. He was keen and forwarded the plans to the NI Office and who organised a meeting of stakeholders in Belfast. Four months later, we were on the fourth version of a 70 page Green Book appraisal and it felt like the energy was being compromised. So we returned to our punk instincts.

The Beginning

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Bradley Quinn

There were donations from Jim Corr and the music agent Steve Strange. Snow Patrol came good several times.

Ash and David Holmes offered to help. Our regular line of persuasion was, “the train is leaving the station”. It was an invitation to take an inspiring ride, but in truth, our culture is risk-averse and NI Inc. was not always swift to accept.

Above: Jimmy Symington at the Open Day, May 5, 2007.

Left: James Nesbitt at the Open Day, May 5, 2007.

Bottom right: Meeting Secretary of State Peter Hain at Millbank, London, January 11, 2007.

We were invited to apply for a new UK fund called Breakthrough, set up by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation in London. And happily it allowed myself to become the first CEO in June 2008. At the same time, Belfast City Council funding enabled us to appoint Charlotte Dryden as the Development Officer. She had been active in Derry and we knew of her work though Love Music Hate Racism and Children In Crossfire. She shared our fanaticism and drove it further.

Without major funding, we improved the building on a piecemeal basis, starting in 2009. Colin Conn drew up architectural plans and became another crucial enthusiast. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland helped us to get a new lift in while we sorted the leaking roof and accessibility issues. We couldn’t afford a sound system for live music but John Willis from Production House stepped in with a generous loan of equipment. Later, HMV largesse made the stage lighting possible. Illumination! →

The Beginning

11

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Largely due to the efforts of Carolyn Mathers at City Council, music tourism was becoming a priority as Belfast dared to envision itself as a music city with a narrative worth telling. Thus we had the support to fit out the ground floor with an exhibition space and café. We launched the Music Bus Tour and provided the content for the Belfast Music iPhone app that was unveiled at SXSW in Austin, Texas, March 2010. Onwards to four years of Belfast Music Week and proper, international attention.

Simultaneously, Charlotte was working with Outreach Officer Paul Kane (spirit of rockabilly and motorbikes, immense empathy and heart) to nourish the roots of the music. Programmes like Volume Control, Scratch My Progress, Acoustic Picnic and Urban Affinity continue to grow. Our mission statement was ‘Open Doors To Music’ and that is still the yardstick.

In terms of the original quote for capital development, Oh Yeah is almost £1million under budget. The team has been hugely resourceful, handy with paintbrushes, spanners and brooms. We’re taken the long, difficult route, but the maverick spirit has sustained. We’re very grateful to the people who have helped in the funding sphere, to 12

The Beginning

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Bradley Quinn

Régis and Kate from PHF, to John and Gillian at Esmée Fairbairn, Genevieve at Henry Smith and Vanessa from the PRS Foundation. Richard and Christine from Help Musicians UK are believers in the story and their presence in the building provides extra weight. Despite all of the best plans, funding cycles finish their orbits and new replacements need to be coaxed out.

The goodwill starts to suffer, nerves fray and at such times our fundraising ally, Paul Artherton has stepped in with a sardonic one-liner: “if you want an easy life, don’t work in the voluntary sector”.

Top left: The Oh Yeah Contenders Bus Tour, November 11, 2010.

Above: Gary at the Open Day, May 5, 2007.

Left: Songwriting workshop Below: John D’Arcy, Ciara Maguire and Andy Cowan (now married!), Sian O’Neill

Anyway, you should see the place on Culture Night, when the streets are jammed and the bands are in swell form. Likewise in November when Oh Yeah runs Sound of Belfast, a rich programme of music, community, music industry and awards. This is an annual chance to witness the Northern Ireland Music Prize, hailing the best album of the year. The Oh Yeah Legend Award is another benchmark. It was first presented in 2008, starting with Terri Hooley, founder of Good Vibrations Records and we’ve managed to honour some great ones. Expect speeches, tears and after-parties.

Liam McBurney

Each volunteer and Board member has been a legend. They have carried the team past the ten year milestone, keeping it steady and sharing the stresses.

Mike Edgar has been there since the early days, smiling and unwavering. Lisa McElherron opened significant doors at Stormont and provided influence and leadership. Ellie McGimpsey accepted the Chair position during a tough transition while Shona McCarthy now gives the role her vast experience and resonance.

And happily, Charlotte became CEO in August 2016 as the story refreshes itself.

The strapline for our first Open Day in 2007 borrowed from a lyric by the band Ash. “It’s the start of something,” we proclaimed. Now, Oh Yeah is resolutely in the middle of something. Just as it should be. And the future? Well, that will be something else.

The Beginning

13

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

There was actual blood, sweat and tears in the early days of Oh Yeah. There was lots of laughter, lots of teamwork, lots of Febreze, lots of raised voices, lots of dust and lots of determination. For those of us who crossed our fingers and signed the lease there was also a fair bit of worry.

But there was also lots of music. Ah, the music. People with guitars and scraps of paper with bits of lyrics on them were all over the dark, dusty and frankly dangerous building. Musically ‘Astral Weeks Revisited’ was my first highlight.But in terms of realising the Oh Yeah dream, my goose bump moment was the day the letter arrived saying

Mike Edgar, Davy Matchett, Lisa McElherron, John D’Arcy, 2010

14

Lisa McElherron

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Belfast City Council were giving us some money to get a staff member. It was a small bit of money, only enough for someone part-time but still, a real life, serious organisation believed in us. We were going to be employers.

The employee we found with that wee bit of money was a Derry wan called Charlotte Dryden. And suddenly it really was the start of something.

Carrie Davenport

Lisa McElherron Oh Yeah Chair, 2013-14 and former Board Member

So there I was, at a gig in Lavery’s, only to be approached by three strange, and yet very wise, men on a mission, wanting to share an idea. Oh Yeah…the obvious response to a great idea. Within a day or two, I got to view 15-21 Gordon Street with Davy Matchett, Stuart Bailie and Marty Neill. It had to happen. Joe Strummer said “Without people, you’re nothing” That became our story – unsung heroes like Ciara Brennan, Angela Reavey, Lowry Grant, Jimmy Symington, Lisa McElherron and Mike Edgar, with many others, stepped up to the mark. We hit many bumps on the early journey but with our developing relentless positivity for supporting music, the force was with us. Our greatest resource became our volunteers. Best memories – The Open Day in May 2007; telling our story to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Culture and Arts Committee with Gary Lightbody (wearing a snappy shirt and tie); the Oh Yeah Legends awards. But most of all, seeing and hearing people make, record and experience new music in a building with a soul.

John D’Arcy Oh Yeah Chair, 2008-12 Section John Title D’Arcy / Category

15

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Rocky O’Reilly set up his recording studio in 2007.

He was one of the fi rst tenants.

“When I fi rst came in here I was 23, I asked the guys if I could use some space to record an album for my band as there were no other studios in Northern Ireland happy to rent out their studios to producers. It’s been really interesting, at times frustrating, but overall incredible. If you could do two snapshots from 2017 and 2007, the diff erence is unreal. The shell of the building that existed in those days is almost unrecognizable. Everything is developed.

“We have worked with lots of bands from Northern Ireland, and as we’ve progressed we’ve worked with bands from the rest of Ireland, the UK, Europe, America, North America, North Africa even! Our outreach has extended a lot, but the core of it is to make good music that people like.

“One of the most exciting things for me has been The Oh Yeah Centre and its staff matching my expectations for the place the entire way. As I’ve wanted my studio and my business to get better, they put up with my complaining. They encouraged us to grow and made changes for us. Likewise, when they wanted to work on projects and have ideas, we’ve worked with them to create some beautiful things.

“I still have such an absolute belief in this place, the concept of this building. These things take time and the benefi ts are now easy to see in the quality of bands and young musicians we have here.

When I bring people to my studio who aren’t from around here they are amazed that this place exists and they want one for their hometown. That can’t be a bad thing.”

16

Start Together Studio

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

When I bring people to my studio who aren’t from around here they are amazed that this place exists and they want one for their hometown. That can’t be a bad thing.

Left: Rocky and Niall Doran in Start Together

Above: Sister Ghost performing live in Start Together

Start Together Studio

17

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond Right: Former BMC student Matthew Duly, who later joined the ‘Scratch’ programme.

Early business tenants at Oh Yeah included No More Art, Bruised Fruit and Start Together Studios. We have hosted over 30 start-ups now. Some stay and others move on to fresh adventures and enterprise. Everyone adds value and energy.

Lyndon Stephens

One of the best aspects for me is the proximity to other tenants. We’ve done something with everyone in the building. It’s a one-stop shop. You have the recording studio, the rehearsal rooms and it’s even a great tourist spot now. The exhibition on the ground floor opening people’s eyes to the great musicians to have come from Northern Ireland.

Ten years ago, what I do wasn’t possible outside of London. You couldn’t have a small company working the way we work. The internet has levelled everything. People like Ciaran Lavery can still live in Aghagallon and tour the world at the same time. It used to be that everyone had to go away to make it. That’s not the case anymore. The success we’ve had so far is going to continue for years to come.

Lyndon Stephens Quiet Arch Records & Champion Sound Music Management

18

Tenants

Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Here I work alongside Gary Lightbody and I mentor, advise, and manage artists at all stages of their careers, from first gig, right up to the end of an 18 month release schedule. Bands know about this place, publishers all around the world know about this place.

Davy Matchett Third Bar Artist Development I was working in advertising and television and then started making short documentaries on the Mod scene. Pretty soon I was getting offered money to film all across the UK and then Northern Ireland Screen then paid for me to go to Tokyo.

There’s a real good vibe here. I have no intentions of moving anywhere!

Emma Rosa-Dias Afro-Mic Productions

I got my first big break as a guitar technician for Ash, in 1995. I became more interested in the technical aspects of guitars, amplifiers, pedals, and other geekery. With my own place in Oh Yeah, I can perform all sorts of guitar-related technical wizardry.

When I politely asked about making noise, everyone basically said, ‘This is a music place. Make noise.’

Leif Bodnarchuk RnR Workshop

When I politely asked about making noise, everyone basically said, ‘This is a music place. Make noise.

Oisin O’Brien

Guerrilla Shout is an animation and visual production studio.

DSNT is a record label that produces banging techno. Having a studio space where you can create art at your own pace, on your own time, really gives you the freedom to be able to grow. There have been some projects we’ve delivered that we wouldn’t have been able to do had we not had the Oh Yeah Centre’s support. It’s been super positive!

Oisin O’Brien Guerilla Shout / DSNT Tenants

19

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Belfast Met Music are proud to have been based in Oh Yeah for six years, using the rehearsal facilities and classrooms on a daily basis during term time, and making use of the excellent performance facilities on the ground floor for gigs and for hosting visiting performers.

The students get so much from being in the building – meeting and mixing with musicians and industry professionals, taking part in workshops and projects. The opportunities to get involved have been fantastic. Some students have volunteered in the centre and several artists have progressed through the talent development programmes offered.

Jon Moorehead Moosetronix Mastering We’re three freelance musicians, who also work as producers, composers and videographers. We wanted to set up a collective to support each other, watch each other grow and collaborate. There are so many cool artists and tenants here, a flood of creative people. It’s a little home, a little family.

Katie Richardson Big Wild Collective Big Wild Collective

20

Tenants

Ciara McMullan

Claire Hueston Course Co-ordinator, HND Music, Belfast Metropolitan College

Moosetronix is about mastering audio. It’s great to be here sharing the building with a lot of very creative individuals with their own discipline within the music business. We all have the same goals in what we’re trying to do. Oh Yeah is a place where everyone can get together, talk and create.

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

A field trip to London in 2008 took us to the Battersea Arts Centre, The Young Vic, The National Theatre and The Roundhouse. The latter is one of the most inspiring homes for music and it was here that we first saw a Strummerville rehearsal room, decorated in Clash lyrics and images. We made a call to the organisation and the wonderful Trish Whelan came through with the funds to create two Strummerville rooms on our top floor. A couple of Joe Strummer’s friends, Gordon McHarg and Dave “Pockets” Girvan came over to decorate the walls with Joe drawings and lyrics. Finally there was a launch party. Joe’s daughters arrived and approved. Magnificent!

Strummerville Tenants Rehearsal Rooms

21

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Hanging out at Oh Yeah seems to contradict the saying that you can’t choose your family, because we’re still here years later! It’s great to help out somewhere that seeks to impact issues important to me like women in music and to see the level of support that local artists provide to each other.

My happiest memories are the crazy nights like NI Music Prize, Culture Night or our very own Fundraver.

Volunteers and staff fundraise for projects, mentor musicians, and cover countless quiet evenings to keep our rehearsal rooms open. You can’t beat the buzz the team gets from pulling off a great gig while having a ton of fun like the well-oiled (if slightly stressed) party machine that we are - positive vibes that are also felt by Centre guests.

Alan Maguire

Donna Morrow

22

My best memory will always be my very first day, during the Urban Affinity festival. Seeing the impact that the festival had on the teens attending and their enthusiasm throughout, as well as the passion of the staff and volunteers made me fall in love with the place.

Amy Salmon The gig on the evening of the Open Day in 2007 with Duke Special, Elbow, Jetplane Landing and Gary Lightbody, holds a special place in my heart. To someone considering being a volunteer - absolutely do it. Seize every opportunity open to you and don’t take for granted the wealth of industry knowledge and experience surrounding you in the centre. As Stiff Little Fingers said, “Grab it and change it it’s yours”.

Kathy Bell

Volunteers

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Carrie Davenport

Bottom left: Kathy Bell. Left: Pascaline de Waal, Seán Rickard, Amy Salmon, Aimee Williamson. Below: Volunteers ‘Thank You Party’, January 2015. Bottom: Kelly Gallagher, volunteer and Paralympic champion!

I’m a big believer in transferable skills. I know how to do science, but the organisation, project management, communications skills I used while at Oh Yeah make me more valuable as a scientist because I can take on more tasks. In my last job interview, I was able to use some of the outreach work I did with Oh Yeah as a tangible example of my team work and leadership skills. I met some of the most passionate and dedicated people through Oh Yeah - people that still inspire me to be a better human being.

My time at Oh Yeah helped me become more confi dent (and less shy) in general which defi nitely helps in my current job. Unfortunately being a Civil Servant doesn’t include pouring pints or getting to see some amazing bands!

Denise Brown

Jess Neisen The people though. Each and every one of them. So passionate, positive no matter what and so incredibly loving.

Pascaline de Waal Volunteers

23

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

A lot of the skills that I utilise nearly every day were learnt at the Oh Yeah. I have also developed my photography skills thankfully due to the Oh Yeah due to the amount of gigs and events that I have had the chance to shoot throughout my time there. The late nights, the great music, there is no place like it.

Dave Burns

I’d say it basically boils down to, ‘Don’t be shy’. Just dial your personality up to 11. Passion goes a long way here and you’ll enjoy what we get up to even more. There are a lot of opportunities on off er to learn transferrable career skills too so be willing to try a range of new activities in the daily routine of the Centre.

Over seven years there are many really special moments.

From Guy Garvey and Gary Lightbody on the opening night, to SLF in the Ulster Hall and the Urban Hymns shows and the one-off s. Too many to choose from but a highlight had to be the many Palookaville nights, so much joy!

Chris Flack

The memorable experience that springs to mind was when I met my Hobbit spirit-guide, Elijah Wood after he performed a (totally class) DJ set at the Centre. I also have very fond memories of working on the 2016 Output Conference and the inaugural Women’s Work festival during my placement.

Matt Gill 24

Dave Burns

Dermott Brennan

Top left: Dave Burns. Above: Chris Flack and Jess Neisen - Super Volunteers!

Volunteers

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

1

1. Original Volunteers, Sian O Neill and Scott Edgar.

2. Inspired: Rainy Boy Sleep and Open Arts Choir, Spires performance, Belfast Music Week 2012.

3. Jimmy Symington taking down old shelving ahead of opening day in 2007.

4. Undertones Legend Awards performance, 2010.

2

3

4

Gallery

25

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

5

6

7

9

8

26

10

Carrie Davenport

11

12

Keith Wilson

5. Tim Wheeler and Neil Hannon.

6. Colin Murray on Gordon Street, 2006.

7. Saint Sister.

8. Colenso Parade.

9. The greatest photobomb of all time: Elijah Wood with Matt Gill (and Jonny Tiernan), Bushmills Live at Oh Yeah 2012.

10. Bap Kennedy at the Open Day, May 5, 2007.

11. Ricky Warwick with Steve Petrie, September 17, 2010.

12. Bronagh Gallagher and The Inishowen Gospel Choir.

Gallery

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

13

14

13. Backing singers for ASIWYFA session, 2008.

14. Team Oh Yeah pick up best Best Project at Belfast Telegraph Making The Difference Awards, 2012.

15. Stuart Bailie and Cormac Neeson.

15

Chris Flack

17

16

18

16. Ellie McGimpsey and Lynne McDowell 17. Signed volunteer t-shirt, open day May 2007.

18. Terri Hooley, Charlotte Dryden and Bronagh Gallagher

Gallery

27

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

19. Women’s Work photo call, 2017.

20. Paul and Stu, ‘The Senor Moments’.

21. Owen Denvir.

22. Live Louder finalists with Conor Scott.

23. Buttercup and Elvis.

19

20

22

28

21

23

Gallery

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

24. Annie Nightingale in conversation with Phil Taggart.

25. Motown producer Leon Ware attends the Red Bull Music Academy, April 5, 2008.

24

25

26

28

27

26. Emmett Costello.

27. Box office banter: Callum, Jess, Aisling and Charlotte.

28. Hollie and Lily.

29. Therapy? - The Mandela Hall, Oh Yeah Legend Award, 2014.

30. Duke Special.

Alan Maguire

29

Gallery

29

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Oh Yeah established the Northern Ireland Music Exhibition in 2009 with support from Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. It tells an expansive and inspiring story. From Ruby Murray to Snow Patrol, via punk rock rave and metal, there is so much to take in. Timelines, films, memorabilia and storyboards. See the wonderful artifacts on loan from Neil Hannon, DJ Noel Watson and the Gary Moore estate and celebrate the greatest Irish record label, Good Vibrations.

30

NI Music Exhibition

Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Section NI Music Title Exhibition / Category

31

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Volume Control began in September 2009 when a 15-year-old music fan named Ryan McCann walked into the building and insisted on putting on a gig for under 18s. He wanted to chose the acts and to manage the promotion of the night. A team of young people with a similar vision joined in and so it grew into an awardwinning mentoring and events programme.

Volume Control has a regular intake of new talent. The aim of the project is to inspire young people aged 14-19 to develop their entrepreneurial skills in the music and events industries. They put on gigs and organise talent trawls, gaining experience in event management, finance, PR and social media, poster design, frontof-house, lighting and stage duties.

Right: Volume Control team year 1

32

Volume Control

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Volume control was the fi rst thing I had ever done that pushed myself in the right direction and, gave me an insight into a industry that I didn’t even know existed. I completely believe that without the experience and knowledge I gained while at Volume Control and Oh Yeah, I certainly would not be in the position I am in today or have met the people that are now some of my closest friends or started my career in the music industry as a sound engineer. Oh Yeah has, and continues to, teach me things that I will use for the rest of my life.

Ethan Owens Volume Control It helped my confi dence grow massively, as I worked with other teenagers from a variety of backgrounds, got to know bands and received advice and mentoring from music industry professionals.

It really was a hands-on experience as we only ran fantastic gigs, but also organised the Breaking Into Music Conference, help put together a compilation CD of local music, speak on local radio stations and set up a Halloween festival.

Lauren Johnson, Volume Control Top right: Members of the team with SOAK. Middle: Members of the team with Tinchy Stryder. Bottom: Volume Control, Clash of The New Breeds Final 2016.

Volume Control

33

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Volume Control has been just brilliant - to have a chance to work in a team, do the diff erent roles, negotiate, lead, plan, handle the money and the people and be self-determining, make things happen that you really want. I have just been really impressed, by how much fun my daughter has had, but also how much she is herself when she is doing VC stuff - engaged, happy, articulate, confi dent and excited about life. I listened to her on the radio the day of her birthday and was reassured that this girl is going to do just fi ne.

Maria McManus Mother of Volume Control’s Orla

Volume Control fundraiser for Haiti cheque presentation to organiser Anto O’Kane

34

Volume Control

Right: Phil Taggart with team members Hannah and Tiarna

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

It has been one of the best experiences of my life to date, from working with the Volume Control team to other events has really opened my eyes to how much good one place can do for local music.

Ryan McCann Volume Control founder Watching the next generation of music and creative industry players develop their confi dence and self-belief is just fantastic. It’s also wonderful to see their careers fl ourish in years that follow their involvement with the project.”

Sandra Gourley Volume Control Mentor

Left: Volume Control team meeting

Above: Belfast PCSP Youth Awards. The team win the Thomas Devlin Arts and Creativity Award.

Left: Team Certificate Presentation 2014.

Volume Control

35

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Developing and supporting new talent is one of the key priorities at Oh Yeah. In 2010 we launched Scratch My Progress so that we could provide up to fi ve emerging acts with a focused and structured programme of mentoring and advice across a ten month period. We off er rehearsal and studio time, photo shoots, song writing and vocal coaching sessions plus showcase and festival opportunities. The scheme off ers one-to-one meetings and workshops with labels, managers, agents, publishers, lawyers, accountants, PR professionals and more. As a result, the artists are better informed and more confi dent about the steps they need to take.

Above: Scratch Volume 5, 2016

To date, 22 acts have been supported through Scratch including Katharine Philippa, Owen Denvir, Sister Ghost, R51, Hot Cops and Hannah McPhillimy. We’re proud to have been part of their journey as they work towards a career in music, writing and performance.

Early support came from the PRS for Music Foundation and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and later, Invest Northern Ireland. We are now recognised as a Talent Development Partner with PRSF while Help Musicians UK is also hugely encouraging.

36

Above: Scratch Volume 2 with Go Wolf, Hannah McPhillimy, Basic Translation and H:OWL

Talent Development

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

We most defi nitely became more business savvy, and met loads of really important people.

We got a good push regarding our social media and how to handle our press and online stuff too.

There are some amazing people we met around that time that we still work with.�


Carrie Davenport

Carrie Davenport

Jonny Woods R51

Above: R51.

Top right: Scratch Year 4 with Plague Artists, Owen Denvir, Treehome and Sister Ghost.

Carrie Davenport

Inset: Scratch Volume 3, 2014.

Talent Development

37

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Carrie Davenport

Left/below: Scratch Volume 1 with Katharine Philippa, Conor Brown, Everyday Superheroes, 20 Second Century

This scheme has been like walking into a house and all the lights coming on. Stuff is illuminated, and you can start to explore with open eyes. It’s supportive, a boost, as well as growth. I’d say the Oh Yeah Centre is a base, where people can gather and you can talk stuff over, and I think everybody needs that.

Katharine Philippa

Carrie Davenport

Katharine Philippa

Carrie Davenport

Hot Cops

38

I learned a lot of beneficial things during Scratch and met people from different areas in the industry that I may not have otherwise. It helped build my confidence to accept myself as an artist and to not undersell myself.”

Shannon Delores O’Neill Sister Ghost

Talent Development

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Below: Sister Ghost, live at Loophole, Berlin.

Inset: Belfast to Berlin: R51, Vokxen, Sister Ghost, Katharine Philippa, Charlotte Dryden, Paul Kane, Jonny Tiernan, Michael Hanvey and Sylvain.

Shane Omar

In November 2016 we took four acts to Berlin for a Scratch My Progress 5th anniversary showcase. The venue was Loophole in NeukĂślln, sourced by former Oh Yeah general manager Jonny Tiernan, now the Berlin-based publisher of LOLA. The venue was almost impossible to find and typically dark, covered in graffiti and resembling a squat. It was great. Steely determination by the bands to drag amps, pedals boards and guitars across the city meant they were ready. Vokxen, Sister Ghost, R51 and Katharine Philippa bonded over the experience and soaked up the environment.

There were meetings the next day, group discussions and talk of more trips to bring Belfast and Berlin together more often. Let’s do it, we all said. And so we shall.

Talent TalentDevelopment Development

39

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Over the years Oh Yeah has partnered with some inspiring organisations that support disadvantaged young people. Some of the most powerful moments have taken place on these projects or events. We’ve learned a lot and we are still learning, honing and developing our outreach programme as we find more ways to ensure young people can have meaningful, educational and joyful experiences through music.

Oh Yeah was built on the premise that music can change lives for the better. Over the years we have designed and delivered workshops, tasters and performances that can give everyone an opportunity to get involved. From teaching pre-schoolers at The Markets Community Centre how to make noise-shakers to watching young men play guitar in Dee Street. We spent six months with a group of inspiring youth from Upper Springfield Development Trust. They were game for song writing, singing, recording and more. The crew from Cliftonville and Dreamscheme wrote and recorded their own song and that group from the Cedar Foundation that will stay in our hearts forever. We will never forget the day a participant declared it to be the best of her life as she skipped out of the studio after recording her own track.

40

Outreach

Since 2011 we have run an open day called Urban Affinity, it’s about giving it a go, from DJing to rap and spoken word, to song-writing, recording, production and advice on careers in music. We’re developing a new programme and will be rolling it out soon. With support once again from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we will be working with four key partners to ensure young people have access to and participate in music. The project is called More Volume, an extension and development of our Volume Control events mentoring programme and we can’t wait to get started.

Top: Nathan Flutebox at Urban Affinity 2012.

Bottom right: Young people from Start 360 and Include Youth. Bottom right: Wilson Magwere Drum Workshop

Carrie Davenport

Carrie Davenport

Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Oh Yeah was built on the premise that music can change lives for the better.

Outreach

41

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Our work with older people began in 2000 with some workshops for Ransom Productions. This led up to the staging of Colin Bateman’s ‘National Anthem’. Since then have received Arts Council funding for three major Arts and Older People projects: ‘In The Mood’, ‘Maritime Blue Notes’ and ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’.

Below: Paul Kane and Jimmy jamming together at Bruce House

This has diversified into work with some of the most marginalised and often forgotten older people, who do not always get access to the arts and in particular live music.

We have worked with with guitar player Billy Harrison from the band Them who featured Van Morrison as their lead singer. Part of our work also took several groups on our Belfast Music Tour, which culminated in a lively reminiscence session afterwards.

There are many positive outcomes.

People are engaged more and are less agitated as a result. A small musical community has developed and memories have been unlocked through music. There is singing and dancing and new music has been created using new technologies.

42

Arts and Older People

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

1

MARITIME BLUE NOTES

MUSIC, ONE OF OUR GREATEST RESOURCES AND A POWER FOR GOOD Maritime Blue Notes

MBN_2015_Booklet.indd 1

12/07/2016 15:58

Some of the participants did not remember the musician who had delivered the previous workshops, however they remembered how he made them feel.

In November 2016 we gained recognition for our work from the Alzheimer’s Society where we won an award for ‘Outstanding Contribution of the Year’.

We continue to work in innovative and meaningful ways with older people. Our work represents the unheard voices of older people; many have shaped our programming and we thank them for sharing their thoughts and stories. Our facilitators enjoy their work immensely and look forward to workshops. We fondly remember and miss those no longer with us.

Paul Kane Arts and Older People

43

Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

44

Belfast Music Week

Belfast Music Week was a Belfast City Council initiative, involving an MTV gig with Mark Ronson in 2010. Oh Yeah was a leading supporter in the first year and then coordinated for the next three years. And in 2011, Belfast Music Week ran into the MTV Europe Awards and a global audience of 1.2 billion. Alongside the big names, we helped to feature 170 events with local content.

There were 44 film crews in town. Oh Yeah hosted 150 international media visitors the night before the EMAs. It was feverish work and city prospects were on the up.

Above: Terri Hooley and Carolyn Mathers at a photocall for Belfast Music Week 2012.

Below: Sound of Belfast photocall 2014 with Robyn G Shiels, Melyssa Shannon, Michael McKeegan, Stuart Bailie.

Carrie Davenport

We launched the Sound of Belfast programme in 2014. That is now the prime music celebration for the city each Autumn, host to Ash, The Divine Comedy, awards, community, industry events and the ever-exciting Northern Ireland Music Prize and Legend Award.

Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Left/above: Tim Wheeler headlines the Ulster Hall during Belfast Music Week, 2011, raising £30,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, joined by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy.

Belfast Music Week

45

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Each year Oh Yeah presents the Northern Ireland Music Prize to the best album by a local act. This is decided by a poll of NI music media figures and industry professionals.

Previous winners: 2016: Ciaran Lavery — Let Bad In 2015: SOAK — Before We Forgot How To Dream 2014: Robyn G Shiels — The Blood Of The Innocents 2013: Foy Vance — Joy Of Nothing

46

Northern Ireland Music Prize

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Above: SOAK collects her award at the Mandela Hall, 2015.

Left to right: Ciaran Lavery, Foy Vance, Robyn G Shiels.

All photos: Carrie Davenport

Northern Ireland Music Prize

47

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

48

Previous recipients: Ash (2016) The Divine Comedy (2015) Therapy? (2014) Gary Moore (posthumous) (2012) Stiff Little Fingers (2011) The Undertones (2010) Henry McCullough (2009) Terri Hooley (2008)

Oh Yeah Legend Award

Declan Roughan

The Oh Yeah Legend Award recognises the exceptional contribution of a musician or a music industry figure from Northern Ireland.

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Oh Yeah Legend Award

49

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

A little while ago we were asked if we could do a project with Hearing Loss UK. The project would entail letting a range of people with new cochlear implants hear music for the fi rst time. I was honoured and thrilled to facilitate and put this project together; we worked with Belfast Metropolitan College who provided a seven piece band with a variety of instruments and they sang and played live on our stage. I was overwhelmed watching people’s reactions, the smiles on their faces and their feet tapping as they ‘listened’ to the band. An amazing musical memory as part of Oh Yeah’s Outreach work that I will always cherish.

Paul Kane Outreach Development Officer Paul Kane

Dee McAdams

I’m the new guy but actually worked stage tech for the very fi rst event in Oh Yeah back in 2007. It was chaotic, but good chaos. Energy and excitement everywhere. My main memory for the day was Gary Lightbody asking the Man Utd. score as I crawled around his legs with a microphone cable.

Dee McAdams Operations Director One of my favourite things about Oh Yeah is its seamless mixing of the local music industry with the social scene buzzing around it. I have made friends and gained skills all under one roof.

Seán Rickard Venue Assistant

50

Staff

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

It has been hugely fulfi lling to be a part of Oh Yeah as it has grown and progressed over the years. I’ve had the privilege to meet and work with some incredible people.There is an energy about the place that transcends the physical building itself, a deep rooted belief in the power of music to bring people together, inspire positive social change, equality and solidarity, and a desire to continue pushing it forward.

Recent examples that I’ve found particularly inspirational are Women’s Work, and Paul’s work with people who have dementia.I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Ryan O’Neill

Ryan O’Neill Venue Coordinator I’m going to go for When Bastille played here in October 2012 and I rescued their stage props from the rain while they unloaded their stuff …#StillAFanGirl!

Lisa Schofield Finance Assistant

Lisa Schofield

Staff shot 2012, l-r: Jody O’Brien, Charlotte Dryden, Stuart Bailie, Jonny Tiernan, Ryan O’Neill, Paul Kane

Seán Rickard

Staff

51

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Breaking Into Music is an interactive youth conference that introduces young people to job and training opportunities in the music and events sector. From performance to touring, stage management, production, engineering, working for a record label and more. Schools and colleges find this event particularly useful as a careers education and work related learning event for students.

Above: Ash at the NI Music Prize, 2016.

Top: Breaking Into Music Panel, 2015.

52

Oh Yeah believes that Belfast is a great music city and we continue to work with partners in London, Toronto, Berlin, Bogotรก and elsewhere to further connections and to harness the potential of music tourism. This feeds into events such as the Sound of Belfast Programme and our Belfast Music Bus Tour, which runs on a monthly basis from March to November.

Special Events

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Women’s Work is a festival and network celebrating women and diversity in music. The purpose is to raise the visibility of women who are generally in the minority, by hosting a range of activities that are open to all genders and include showcases, gigs, special events, panels, talks, and exhibitions.

Top right: Jealous of The Birds performing at Women’s Work 2016.

Middle: Jayne Harkness facilitating a Girls Rock School NI session.

Bottom: Jessica Hopper keynote at Women’s Work 2016

Special Events

53

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Shona McCarthy Chair, Oh Yeah I was first introduced to the Oh Yeah concept when it was just a twinkle in the eyes of a few visionary Belfast music lovers. Ten years on, I give my respect and congratulations to those founding culturepreneurs who could see the future and it looked good. It is my enormous privilege to be the Chair of Oh Yeah and to be able to play a part in ensuring that we honour

its founding principles and impressive legacy. And, with my fellow Directors, we will support the team to fully realise its tremendous potential and ambition. We are very proud of Charlotte Dryden’s leadership, she had a tough act to follow, and has already made a profound mark with her own brilliant style and creative vision. I want to thank our small, hard-working team for making magic happen every day.

Thanks to all of our funders and supporters. And thanks to our vice Chair Mike Edgar and all my fellow directors and previous board members of Oh Yeah, it has been and is a pleasure to work with you.

So what might the next 10 years hold for Oh Yeah? We want to see it sustained cherished and developed. It is now a vibrant hub for developing both established and emerging talent. It’s

Mike Edgar, Ellie McGimpsey, Shona McCarthy, Stuart Bailie, 2016

54

The Next 10 Years

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

a starting point for young people. It’s a place where the music business is developed and start-ups are nurtured.

Innovation happens with extraordinary results in music and mental health, reaching people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s a neutral creative space where people can come and simply have a coffee and enjoy the exhibition of NI Music history.

So in 2027 what do we want to say?

We might say that in 2017 the world was in a difficult place, the global political context was volatile, our home landscape was uncertain and creativity and music and art was relegated in our society and in our education system…. What we hope to say is…. that Belfast, of all cities, went against the tide, having recognised the lifeline and the light that music provided in its own darker times. Belfast elevated its music story, invested in its musical citizens, put its creativity on the map and shared with the world how music and art are the lifeblood of innovation, reputation, attractiveness and human interaction.

Oh Yeah is at the heart of Belfast’s music story, a thriving and celebrated Music Centre that shares the extraordinary role that music has played for our own citizens and the contribution this small city has made to the world of music. Our recording, performance and business development facilities are first class. Music lovers, young and old know of us as the place that opens doors to music. Oh Yeah is recognised as a vital artery pumping

talent and innovation through the Creative Industries in Northern Ireland. Belfast has taken ownership of its tremendous musical heritage and its unique musical footprint in the world and has invested in its own passionate leaders in music in Oh Yeah and connected with other visionary music centres across Northern Ireland like Glasgowbury in Draperstown and the Nerve Centre in Derry and the many festivals and venues across the region. With Belfast taking the lead, the sum of Northern Ireland’s music parts, tells a compelling story, this is an area in which we excel. Let’s keep doing it and better.

That’s what we want to say in 2027.

Here’s to the next 10 wonderful years of Oh Yeah opening doors to music!

My first memory of Oh Yeah is Stuart Bailie painting the centre’s walls on a freezing cold night in December more than 10 years ago.

A decade of determination, discovery and development ensued with Oh Yeah becoming a cheerleader of creativity and a catalyst for change in the city of Belfast. Music is transformational. To the staff, volunteers and everyone who has supported us, I say thank you. And, with our sights set high, I say bring on the next 10 years!

Lynne McDowell Oh Yeah Board Member

The Next 10 Years

55

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

Ellie McGimpsey: Director (2013-14) Chair (2014-15) Director (2015-16) John Greer: Director (2012-17)

Oh Yeah Board Shona McCarthy Mike Edgar Lynne McDowell Jeremy Fitch Gerard Murray Ailish McKenna John Davison Davy Elliott President Gary Lightbody Oh Yeah Staff Charlotte Dryden: Chief Executive Damien McAdams: Operations Director Paul Kane: Outreach Development Officer Lisa Schofi eld: Finance Assistant Ryan O’Neill: Venue Coordinator Sean Rickard: Venue Assistant Former Board members Lisa McElherron: Secretary (2008-2012) Chair (2013-14) Davy Matchett: Treasurer (2007-14) Maria McCourt: Director (2012-14) Gabriel McKenna: Director and Chair (2009-13) John D’Arcy: Chair (2008-12) Jimmy Symington: Director (2009-11) Martin Neill: Director (2007-08) 56

Thanks

Former Staff Stuart Bailie: Chief Executive (2008-16) Jonny Tiernan: General Manager (20012-14) Jody O’Brien: Admin and Financial Support (2009-13) Thanks To Stuart Bailie for helping bring this book to life and for his vision and leadership as the founding CEO. To Gary Lightbody for his vision, generosity and ongoing support. Book research by Taylor Johnson, design

by Stuart Bell. Photographic contributions from Carrie Davenport, Bradley Quinn, Bernie McAllister, Chris Flack, Liam McBurney, Alan Maguire, Dave Burns, Gavin Millar, Declan Roughan, Keith Wilson, Conor Kerr, Shane Omar.

To our Board staff and volunteers past and present for their unstinted commitment. To the people who make this Belfast’s dedicated music hub, from music makers to fans, audiences, visitors and participants, to the entrepreneurs and the producers of music.

Our funders and supporters: UnLtd, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians UK, BBC Children In Need, Invest Northern Ireland, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, Belfast Harbour Commission, Belfast

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

City Airport Community Fund, Ulster Garden Villages, The Henry Smith Charity, John Paul Getty Jr. Charitable Trust, Hope for Youth, Adapt, Telecommunity, Lloyds TSB Foundation and Halifax Foundation, St James’s Place Foundation, Arts & Business, Garfi eld Weston, Business In The Community, Thomas Devlin Trust, RBS Inspiring Youth Enterprise, Blue Moon, HMV, Matchetts Music, Bushmills, Strummerville: The Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music, David McWilliams Foundation, St Anne’s Cathedral Sit Out, 4 Talent, Tourism Northern Ireland, British Council, USEL, Worthingtons Solicitors, Belfast City Centre Management and Public Health Agency. To our other industry partners, Musicians’ Union, BPI, UK Music, PRS, PPL, Independent Venue Week, Music Venue Trust, Music Canada, Creative & Cultural Skills, First Music Contact.

Our friends who have off ered help, inspiration and support: Snow Patrol, The Corrs, Steve Strange, Ash, David Holmes, Duke Special, The Divine Comedy, Therapy?, the families of Gary Moore, David McWilliams and Sam Mahood, Iain and Paul Archer. Remembering the late and dearly missed Bap Kennedy, Henry McCullough, Rainy Boy Sleep and Pamela Hunter. Thanks also to Martin Neill, Lowry Grant, Angela Reavey (BDO), Chris Panayi, John Willis, John Hesketh and all at Production House, Colin Conn (Box Architects), The McBurney Family, Régis Cochefert, Kate Tyndall, Michael Hamlyn, John Mulligan, Gillian Goode, Genevieve Ford-Saville, Carolyn Mathers, Colin Reid, Sandra Gourley, Nial Thanks

O Neill (Donnelly O Neill Architects Ltd), John McKenna, Ciara Brennan, Stuart Fleming, Paul Artherton, Bill Osborne, Paul Mallon, Allison Baxter, Nora Greer, Shirley McKay, Maria McAlister, Ciaran Scullion, Lorraine Calderwood, Greg and Martin Cowan, Sara Graham, Sarah Jones, Katie Richardson, Joe Lindsay, Kenny Matheson and Palookaville, Jon Moorehead, Pedro Donald, Bruised Fruit, Jill, Vassia and Gennaro at HMV, Arthur Acheson, Carrie Davenport, Colette Norwood, Keith Connolly, Bernie McAllister, Kevin Cregan, Jackie D’Arcy, Helen Carey, Angela Dorgan, Lesley Maltman, Andrew Scott, Alan Gildea, Jonny Tiernan, AU and LOLA Magazine, Brian Coney and The Thin Air, BBC Radio Ulster, Across The Line and Radio 1, Ortus, Loaf, Citybeat, Maurice Jay and U105, Over The Hill Collective, Andrew Ferris, Jeff Robinson, James Rollins, The Nerve Centre, Glasgowbury, Translink, Tony Adams, Dial A Bus, Will McConnell, Alison Reddick, Aaron Eccles and Drawn In Pen productions.

Also to the super services of our volunteers and duty managers across the years including Chris Flack, Sian O’Neill, Andy and Ciara Cowan, Scott Edgar, Kathy Bell, Denise and Michelle Jackson, Donna Morrow, Amy Salmon, Lisa Schofi eld, Rebecca Armstrong, Emmett Costello, Rab Kane, Rab Wishart, Aimee Williamson, Rebecca Steele, Dermot Brennan, Matt Gill, Wendy Boezer, Pascaline De Waal, Patrizia G. Rom and current volunteer legends, Liam, Catherine, Mike, Jane Harkness, Arainn, Michael, Dermot, Eryn, Matt and Thomas.

Endless respect!

57

Oh Yeah Music Centre 10 Years and Beyond

®

58