On the evening of Thursday 25th September 2025, the Cathedral Quarter will transform into the capital of new music discovery as Output, Ireland’s largest one-day music conference, returns to deliver a showcase music trail of 36 of the most compelling new bands and artists in Ireland.
This unprecedented line up of musical talent is facilitated in partnership with Ireland’s key music industry tastemakers - and every show is completely free to attend.
SHOWCASING ARTISTS INCLUDE
Basht. - Basht. are one of Ireland's rising rock bands, praised by Hot Press as "one of the most exciting young bands to emerge in Ireland in aeons." The group’s trajectory significantly rose in 2023, marked by tour support for Wunderhorse in both the UK and Ireland, along with performances alongside Bdrmm and Goo Goo Dolls. They also graced several festivals, including Mutations, Electric Picnic, and All Together Now, and achieved the milestone of selling out their first two London headline shows at The Sebright Arms for a Communion Music showcase and The Social. In 2024, Basht released their debut EP, Dirty White Lies, through Our House [Freak Slug, ELI, OhEm], produced by Thom Lewis [Sam Fender]. The EP's tracks were featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands, Melomania, and Proper Belters playlists.
Martina & The Moons - Martina and the Moons is an all-female four-piece band based in Dublin. Their influences vary from the singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s such as Paul Simon, Carole King or Joni Mitchell, to the BritPop and rock bands of the 90s, such as Elastica, Catatonia, Radiohead or Blur. Their lyrics talk about alienation and about yearning for connection, complemented by crunchy guitars, loud drums and catchy vocal melodies.
Touzai - Touzai (Rhymes with “oh-aye”) is the artistic moniker of Ethan Hollan, an Asian-Irish artist blending 90s alt-rock, shoegaze, and heartfelt lyricism into a sound both nostalgic and forward-thinking.Touzai began playing music at eight. Encouraged by his father to start with classical piano, he later transitioned to guitar and songwriting in secondary school. He spent lockdown honing his style, emerging with acclaimed releases like Valentine and Forest. Drawing from his Hong Kong-Irish heritage, he writes to inspire underrepresented voices. With festival and showcase slots, sold-out shows, and documentary features, Touzai’s ambition for bold production and genre-blending storytelling continues to shape his growing discography.
Makeshift Art Bar - Makeshift Art Bar, the rising sonic powerhouse hailing from Belfast, released their highly anticipated debut EP, Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading, on the 3rd of January 2025. This EP solidifies their place as one of the most innovative voices in the underground music scene. Support for acts like Chalk and festival appearances at Pitchfork Paris and Mutations have solidified them as an unmissable live act.
SHOWCASE HOSTS INCLUDE
PRS for Music: The UK-based organisation that represents the rights of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It ensures that these music creators are fairly paid when their music is played publicly—whether on radio, TV, online platforms, in venues, or businesses. PRS for Music does this by licensing the use of copyrighted music, collecting royalties from licensees, and distributing those royalties to the rightful music creators. It operates as a membership organisation and plays a key role in protecting intellectual property within the music industry.
IMRO: The Irish Music Rights Organisation, is Ireland’s performing rights society responsible for collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers when their music is publicly performed, broadcast, or used online. As a membership-based organisation, IMRO licenses music use across various platforms and venues in Ireland and ensures that the creators receive fair compensation for their work. It plays a vital role in supporting and promoting Irish music both domestically and internationally, while also protecting the intellectual property rights of its members.
Fooligan: a music promotion and event organisation in the Irish music scene, founded by Dillon O'Brien, that aims to bridge gaps between different music communities across the island of Ireland by championing and promoting up-and-coming Irish talent. The organisation hosts live events, primarily in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, and has also expanded into artist management for Irish bands, including the artists Makeshift Art Bar and Stratford Rise.
GirlsWithGutsNI: a Northern Ireland-based movement dedicated to celebrating and promoting female and non-binary talent within the rock, punk, and metal music scenes. They organize events, provide a platform through their publications like the "Girls With Guts Gazette" and Spotify playlists, and work to foster a more diverse and inclusive musical community in Northern Ireland.
The Rock Revival: a rapidly growing music media outlet with a combined online audience of over 150,000 followers. Originally established in 2022 as a university project, The Rock Revival has become a trusted voice in the indie and alternative scene, known for exclusive coverage of rising and internationally acclaimed acts alike—including Fontaines D.C, Wunderhorse, Inhaler & many more. Over time, the platform has expanded beyond editorial to live events, curating stages at major UK festivals such as Reading & Leeds, Neighbourhood Festival and Liverpool Sound City. The Rock Revival also champions grassroots talent through its signature mirrored live shows, having hosted breakthrough acts such as Keo, Basht, and The Kairos.”
WHY OUTPUT MATTERS NOW
Attention spans are shrinking. Industry gatekeepers are multiplying. Breaking through feels almost impossible.
The pain of missed opportunities and industry exploitation halts here. Output provides the modern toolkit for solutions, connections, and roadmaps that traditional conferences gatekeep behind expensive tickets and exclusive access.
ABOUT OUTPUT BELFAST
Output Belfast is Ireland's largest annual one-day music conference and showcase, presented by Belfast City Council / Belfast City of Music and programmed by Score Draw Music. The conference features over 25 workshops, masterclasses, panels and talks across all aspects of the music industry, designed to equip Northern Ireland's music community with creative and business skills essential for success in today's competitive landscape.
Through partnerships with industry leaders including PRS for Music, Belfast City Council and more, Output facilitates growth in Northern Ireland's music industry while creating networking opportunities for both emerging and established talent from all sectors.
EVENING SHOWCASE HOSTS - FULL LIST A-Z
Blue Pool
Chordblossom
Faction Records
Fooligan
Girls with guts
IMRO
NuMuze
Old Crows
Output
PRS
Rock Revival
Rumour Mill
Scratch My Progress
SHINE
Soul Trane
Table It
The Thin Air
Under The Drum
EVENING SHOWCASE VENUES
Bullitt Courtyard & Rooftop
The Oh Yeah Centre
The Spaniard
The Deer's Head
The National
Ulster Sports Club - Multiple Rooms
Florence Road announce headline Belfast show
The Saw Doctors announce Dublin and Belfast Shows
Franz Ferdinand announce Belfast & Dublin shows
Florence + The Machine announces SSE Arena Belfast show
Picture This announce Belfast & Dublin shows this December!