AVA has become the missing jewel in Belfast's electronic music crown.
The annual festival, brainchild of Belfast native Sarah McBriar, is now into its 10th successful year and continues to go from strength to strength.
From its fledgling years of building the brand and selling 1500 tickets at the T13 Building, to now clocking up a standard of 10,000+ sales on each day of recent events, the production values and line ups at each show continue to grow with each years festival.
You can see the reinvestment in each new event as they continue to make each one stronger than the last. Every little attention to detail is considered in the planning.
Acts booked for each year are carefully selected and represent the absolute cream of current DJ and production rosters globally. With the electronic music world changing so quickly, these guys have the required eye for talent and their finger well and truly on the pulse of what is fresh.
2024 sees another very fresh turnout of acts with many regular names appearing alongside the most upfront worldwide artists.
The mighty Belfast titans BICEP return again, this time with their critically acclaimed Chroma AV DJ set to offer their home crowd something very special.
US house god Kerri Chandler makes a headline appearance, along with rising stars Nia Archives and Barry Can't Swim
As usual, the standard of local support DJs is of the highest standard.
Belfast venue wasn't big enough for Drum & Bass act's DJ set!
Tickets went on sale a few days ago for the appearance of worldwide superstars of the Drum & Bass scene Chase & Status, playing a DJ set at iconic Belfast venue, The Limelight.
No-one could have anticipated just how fast this gig would sell out! Minutes!
**VENUE UPGRADED** So, due to this incredible, unprecedented demand for tickets, and after selling out The Limelight in record time during pre-sale mode, to meet demand, the Chase & Status Belfast DJ show has been upgraded to the bigger capacity of The Telegraph Building!
All tickets remain valid and remaining tickets for the upgraded show go on sale this FRIDAY.
https://youtu.be/Zy_JR9_Y8dE?si=wK-YGC-F2tcCDQeq
Support on the night comes from the incredible talent of local D&B heroes Crilli
North / South Ireland have huge showing in 2023 ASOT Top 50 / Tune Of The Year Special
Armin Van Buuren is without doubt the biggest name in the world of trance music.
Along with his Armada stable of record labels and the A State Of Trance brand / radio show, they have built a worldwide legion of followers which is unrivalled in the genre.
Every year Armin and his A State Of Trance team ask the public to vote for their favourite trance tracks of the year.
Thousands of the icon's 5.5m Youtube subscribers and fans of trance from all over the world cast their votes which are then processed into a top 50 to culminate in an end of year radio show called the Tune Of The Year Special, which is then broadcasted live from their Amsterdam studios.
The 2023 Tune Of The Year Special / Top 50 was one of the best yet for producers from Northern / Southern Ireland.
"Kiss The Night" from Murzo was the first trance release from Derry / Londonderry producer Ciaran Murray. It landed at a very respectable NO 23 in the annual rundown.
Murray who had previously released the more melodic sides of techno, made the journey to Amsterdam at the request of Van Buuren and his team for a live interview which peaked with the main man asking him to return in 2024 for a guest mix on his show.
"You Take My Breath Away" from County Armagh trance supremo Sneijder, featuring the vocals of Cari -came in at NO 35 in the ASOT Tune Of The Year / Top 50
The track, which is a reworking of the 2000 classic from SuReal was released on DJ Tiesto's label Black Hole Recordings
Andrew (Sneijder) made an appearance via video from his studio to thank his fans for voting.
Ciaran McAuley's massive collaboration with trance icon Paul Van Dyk - "Someone Like You" came in at NO 20
The track which was released in July 2023 on Van Dyk's very own label VANDIT Records features the German legend's signature euphoric style alongside the incredible production of McAuley. This is a match made in trance heaven.
ALSO..McAuley's remix of Aly & Fila ft Emma Hewitt - "You & I" was voted NO 12 in this years top 50.
Bryan Kearney featured twice in this year's Tune Of The Year / top 50 with his tracks "Encanta"NO 15 and "Shine A Light" his track with singer / songwriter Bo Bruce commanding a brilliant place at NO 3
These two high placings further cementing Kearney's place at the very top of the Irish, and worldwide trance scene.
Paul Webster's superb remix of Ben Gold's - "Rest Of Our Lives" came in at a whopping NO 2 in this brilliant rundown.
The track which was released on the Captivating / Armada label in July received massive international acclaim.
https://youtu.be/oiiL0wKzJ3Y?si=JRCTZMTdIg74V6GE
All in all 2023 was a very successful and positive year for trance in Ireland, North and South. We look forward to hearing what these guys serve up in 2024.
WATCH THE ENTIRE ASOT TUNE OF THE YEAR / TOP 50 SHOW HERE ↓
House music big guy, Eats Everything lands back in Belfast on New Year’s Eve 2023 to play in the industrial backdrop of The Telegraph Building for the mighty clubbing institution Shine
With a huge catalogue of releases under his wing for labels such as Dirtybird, Pets Recordings, and Crosstown Rebels, this larger than life character is a fully paid up member of the producer / DJ royalty circle.
Support on the night comes from Dense & Pika, Sarah Story and Caoimhe.Caoimhe has quickly risen up through the DJ ranks on the local circuit, having initially won the AVA Emerging DJ competition, with the final taking place at our very own Belfast Underground store in Belfast city centre.
Sometimes out of the blue, life can throw a cruel curveball.
Fergie McWilliams / DJ Fergie/ DJ Fergie Freeman (not to be confused with the other DJ Fergie from Larne) has been a part of the DJ scene in Northern Ireland for over 25 years.
Known for his love of BIG tunes and the uplifting styles of electronic music, Fergie gained thousands of fans and friends through his many club residencies and hundreds of mix tapes back in the day.
Fergie suffered a brain injury a while back, resulting in many life problems, which include no longer being able to walk unaided and loss of speech. This has affected his life in so many ways that are unimaginable for someone of such big character.
Go Fund Me Page AND 1 Huge DJ event...
His best mates initially set up a GO FUND ME PAGE to help out with their dear friend’s many complex needs and so far they have raised almost £3,000. The hope with the initial fund raising is to secure the necessary funds to purchase an electric wheelchair to aid and help in his continued rehabilitation.
Time to ramp things up a bit!
To take things to the next level, his friends came up with the plan to run the mother of all fundraising events and get as many of Fergies DJ pals from throughout the years to play for FREE.
Response from the DJ community was instant!
So, for one night only Sat May 4th 2024 the lads are asking that you join them for a night of seriously big tunes as they come together to support our dear friend and talented DJ who is facing incredibly tough times due to his illness.
The power of music brings people together, and now it's time to use that power to make a difference in someone's life.
Event Details
Date: [Sat 4th May 2024 ]
Venue: [Skylite Room / 7 Duke Street, Warrenpoint]
DJS ON THE NIGHT An incredible selection of DJs have offered their services FREE of charge in the hope that much money can be generated to help Fergie.
The choice of name 'A NIGHT OF LEGENDS' could not have been better chosen for this event.
↓Just checkout this lineup of local DJ legends ↓
MUSIC & MEDIA EXCHANGE SCHEME
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
8 years ago we announced the forthcoming launch of Belfast Underground Radio. Check out this wonder lineup of local music royalty
SATURDAY 12th SEPT 2015 see's the official launch of Belfast Underground Radio, located inside the record store of the same name on Belfast's Queen Street.
FROM 10AM TO 10PM (and beyond..)
50 DJ SHOWCASE
FREE PARTY, OPEN TO EVERYONE
For the day, we have invited a huge selection of amazing DJ talent from all over, who will also be hosting regular shows on the station to pop in and spin a few tunes LIVE on air.
DJ'S ON THE DAY INCLUDE....
JUSTIN ROBERTSON
(Exclusive set, appearance and official launch of new album 'Everything Is Turbulence')
TWITCH DJ'S
GLEN MOLLOY
TIMMY STEWART
DILLY
DEEP CITY GROOVE
DALE HOOKS
ANDREW JOHNSTON
STUART MILLAR
SCHMUTZ
GLEAVE DOBBIN
NIK MUZKA
JC WILLIAMS
GRAEME L
BOBBY ANALOG
CHRIS FRIEZE
GAZFUNK
VENUS
BILLY ANTHONY
RYAN STEWART
CHRIS HANNA
JORDAN
BARRY CON / MAITIU
ALEX THOMPSON
MATT HAZLEY
IAIN YOUNG
CHRIS J
CONOR MAGAVOCK
CHRIS NEZ
JONATHAN TRAYNOR
RYAN DALLAS
CRT
STASH
EMBEZZLEMENT SOCIETY
PETE MOOREHEAD
X-RAY
BARRY CON / MAITIU
SEAN MC D
DARREN BROWN
QUENTIN KANE
HUBB DJS
GAV WILLIAMS
MARK MANLEY
MARTIN DE BRIG
JAY KAY
PETE BRADY
NEIL IRVINE
GREGZ
BLOOMER WHITE
CHILL
NEPHILIM
And many more to be added between now and launch date.
Further details to follow.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Belfast Underground are proud to announce that on Saturday 12th September 2015, Belfast Underground Radio launches and will provide a much needed and game changing musical concept, inside its Queen Street record store.
We believe this will be the only online radio station in the WORLD, that will broadcast live daily… from inside a record store in a multi camera video fashion.
Belfast Underground Radio will go out LIVE via internet streaming to the world through a 5 camera high definition video feed. The station shall build to broadcast live, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, from inside the record store. A glass fronted station room is currently being designed specifically for the station and will fit perfectly into a corner of the long store. This also offers the music loving public the unique opportunity to catch a direct glimpse of DJs at work.
SO the record racks are well and truly stuffed ahead of tomorrow’s onslaught. I’ve added well over 300 House & Techno this week, over 100 trance / hard dance and 70+ Funk, Soul, Disco. All this alongside some lovely downtempo stuff and rock albums.
AND AND AND
The complimentary Underground refreshment shelf biscuit of choice this week is the incredible…
KitKat.
What more can you say about these glorious chocolate covered wafer fingers that hasn’t already been preached over kitchen tables across the land for decades.
These absolute weapons are the definition of an oldskool snack. Forget about all the arsey flavoured derivatives on the shelves, head straight for the classics every time.
When life gets tough you can rely on these, along with a good brew, to add a little bit of comfort and familiarity back into your life.
We are delighted to see that those lovely chaps at Coda_Belfast are gearing up for another night of fat ass loops that feature in some of the finest, proper techno known to man (and woman)
This time around they’ve drafted in the services of Italy’s brilliant Alarico, founder of Katana Records and artist for stacks of other top quality labels.
Belfast needs this night badly and I think that all proper techno enthusiasts should support these guys by popping down and jumping around for a while.
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