Breaking Into Music is a Creative Industries Day curated by the Oh Yeah Music Centre as part of the annual Sound of Belfast Festival in November.
It is designed to empower Northern Ireland’s youth by unlocking the career potential of the arts (with focus on music) in an engaging and interactive setting. It is an immersive one day experience at Oh Yeah, tailored to young individuals aged 14-21 with a penchant for creativity and an interest in the music industry.
This year’s theme is Breaking into music on a budget. Young people often don’t have the disposable income needed to help break into the music industry. The aim of the day is to inform young people how to break into the music industry with little to no financial support, and show them how it is possible, even on a budget.
Panels - 10:30pm - 12:30pm
Equal Opportunities - Ellie Prohan (chair), Darryl Forsythe & Myn Jazeel: Ellie Prohan chats with Darryl Forsythe and Myn Jazeel about how we can make the music industry a more fair and inclusive place for everyone, the barriers people face and what can be done to support equal opportunities in music.
My First Break - Taylor Johnson (chair) Becky McNeice & Reger (Robbie McCammon): Taylor Johnson chats with Becky McNeice and DJ Reger, to give an insight into their musical journeys, the challenges and highlights, and what it takes to become a successful artist nowadays.
Networking - Charlene Hegarty (chair), Jonny Woods & Aine Cronin-McCartney: Charlene Hegarty chats with Jonny Woods and Aine-Cronin McCartney about their successful networking experiences from different areas of the music industry, the importance of networking in the industry, and the different opportunities there are to network nowadays as a young person.
Workshops - 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Workshop 1- DIY Music Maker with Rocky O’Reilly: Ever wanted to record your own music at home, but don’t know where to start? Taking place in the legendary Start Together Studio, this workshop will explore how to use free recording software to create and produce your own tracks.
Workshop 2 - Pitch Perfect with Taylor Johnson: Do you want your music to be played on the radio, talked about in magazines and blogs, added to popular playlists? This workshop will give you all the tips and tricks on how to promote and pitch your music in a way that will get the media’s attention.
Workshop 3 - Sonic Sanctuary with Alicia Raye: This interactive workshop will explore how different sounds and genres can shape our mood and wellbeing. Led by Alicia Esambe from Alayex, the session uses music, discussion, and creativity to help participants understand how sound can support positive mental health.
Workshop 4 - DJ Workshop with Darryl Forsythe: Join us for an interactive DJ workshop where you’ll dive into the exciting world of DJing! This hands-on session includes a live demonstration and will guide you through the fundamentals of mixing, scratching, and using effects to shape your sound. Learn how to operate industry-standard DJ software and hardware, including MIDI controllers and the latest DJ technology. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop offers the perfect introduction to the art of DJing.
Workshops - 2:15pm - 3pm
Workshop 5- DIY Music Maker with Rocky O’Reilly: Ever wanted to record your own music at home, but don’t know where to start? Taking place in the legendary Start Together Studio, this workshop will explore how to use free recording software to create and produce your own tracks
Workshop 6 - TikTok Trendsetter with Abby Davidson: Ever thought about becoming a content creator? Or are you an artist who is looking to grow your fanbase? As TikTok has become the go-to platform for music discovery and artist community building, it has become an essential tool for artists to promote their music and build their fanbase. This workshop is designed to show you how to create engaging video content for music.
Workshop 7 - Gig Getter with Carlin Brown: Do you like to make things happen? Then enough talking, more action! This workshop will give you the knowledge you need to put on a successful gig from scratch, as well as how to work with promoters to secure your slot on a lineup.
Workshop 8 - AV Club with Aaron Farry & Anna Kennedy: Calling all tech heads! Ever considered being a sound or lighting engineer for concerts? This workshop will run you through the basics of lighting design, setting up the stage for a full band, and checking the sound equipment for live performances.
PLUS a closing performance from The Thing Is…
Please register using the form below.
14+