BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – 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.
INDUSTRY TITANS TAKE THE STAGE
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
- 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
Quotes from Opening Keynote Speakers
Tom Kiehl – “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.”
FULL PROGRAMME
This extraordinary 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
We’re also delighted in 2026 to be running for the first time at Output 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.
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.
SIGN-UPS OPEN NOW
Registration opens 19th August over at outputbelfast.com
The full program lineup drops 19th August, with a special closing keynote announcement coming in early September.
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.
