Output Belfast: Music's boundary-breaking conference returns next month
On Thursday 24th September 2026, the Cathedral Quarter will transform into the capital of music industry innovation as Output, Ireland’s largest one-day music conference, returns to the city with its largest and most ambitious edition yet - completely free of charge.
Unapologetically forward-thinking, this one-of-a-kind conference convenes leading figures to equip Northern Ireland’s music community with an essential, valuable creative toolkit.
Output is committed to creating a diverse programme of panels led by industry experts, creating growth and world-class networking opportunities for emerging and established talents.
This year's opening keynote features an unprecedented convergence of music industry powerhouses:
Tom Kiehl - Chief Executive of UK Music - the voice of the UK music industry towards the government
“It is a great privilege to be invited to address the 2026 Output Belfast. It is a fantastic event, bringing together so many perspectives from across the music industry. I look forward to listening and working with the delegates as we tackle and find ways forward on the big topics facing the sector."
Catherine Martin - Head of Policy, Ireland, Ivors Academy - Former Irish Minister for Culture who introduced the landmark Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme in 2022
David Martin - Chief Executive Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) The UK trade body representing the specific rights and interests of music artists
FULL PROGRAMME
The Opening Keynote kicks off a day featuring 28 cutting-edge sessions spanning every corner of the industry - from artist development to styling your band, sustainable careers to global market expansion:
1.CMU Presents - How Music Producers Get Paid In 2026
2.Screen Composers Guild of Ireland Presents - Composing for Television Drama
3.Beyond Skin Presents - Championing Afghan & Iranian Women Artists and Indian Classical Music
4.Inflyte Presents - How Electronic Music Breaks in 2026: From Demo to Dancefloor
5.European Guild of Music Supervisors Presents - Everything you wanted to know from a Film and TV Music Supervisor but were afraid to ask
6.Scott Cohen Q and A - Past Present and Future of Music
7.Jameson Presents - Branded! How Music Artists and Brands can work together
8.Musicians Union Present - How to Plan and Fund a Tour Workshop
9.Frequency Finder Presents - Breaking into Live Events - The Jobs Behind the Show
10.PRS For Music presents - Europop! - Writing and Performing for a Eurovision hit (panelists include Eurovision winner Dana)
11.An Emotional Rodeo - Inside the Music World of Janet Devlin
For the first time at Output there will also be a music and technology gear expo room featuring Audient (mixing consoles, audio interfaces, microphones and more) Lowden (iconic guitars) and a Dolby Atmos listening experience with a full 7.1.4 speaker system. .
Head to outputbelfast.com for the full programme and schedule.
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