Martin Hayes, Lisa O’Neill & Chris Smither set for 2025 Festival
This autumn, we welcome world-renowned artists Lisa O’Neill, Martin Hayes, and Chris Smither for separate concerts as part of our 63rd edition.
Belfast International Arts Festival returns to venues throughout Belfast from 15th October – 9th November with a new season of contemporary arts and culture featuring the very best international and homegrown artists from the worlds of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, and film.
Martin Hayes is one of the most revered fiddlers of our time. Renowned for his soulful interpretations of traditional Irish music, Martin is the founder of the musical supergroup The Gloaming, The Common Ground Ensemble, and the Martin Hayes Quartet.
Over the past thirty years, Martin has recorded and collaborated with extraordinary musicians in the classical, folk, and contemporary music worlds, including Dennis Cahill, Bill Frisell, Ricky Skaggs, Yo-Yo Ma, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and the RTE Concert Orchestra. He has also performed on stage with Sting, Paul Simon, and Phoebe Bridgers.
His most recent album with The Common Ground Ensemble, Peggy’s Dream, was released in 2023 to glowing praise and was performed to a full house at the Grand Opera House as part of the festival.
Martin Hayes returns to Belfast International Arts Festival for a special performance at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday 22nd October.
A raconteur in the truest sense of the word, Lisa O’Neill is a five-time BBC Folk Award nominee. Her acclaimed last album, All of This Is Chance, ranked highly on many critics 2023’s Albums of the Year lists, taking top spot for Gideon Coe at BBC 6 Music. Lisa is currently writing new material for her next album. She will perform at The MAC on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October.
Profound songwriter and captivating performer Chris Smither has fused folk and blues for over 50 years to establish himself as a true American original. Mesmerising in his musicianship, he melds the styles of his two major influences, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt, into his own signature sound which draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets, and humanist philosophers.
Songs from Chris’s vast catalogue have featured in films and TV shows and been covered by Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Emmylou Harris, and Diana Krall, among others. His landmark 20th album, All About the Bones, was released in 2024.
Chris Smither will appear at Black Box on Friday 17th October as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival. Singer-songwriter BettySoo, who collaborated on Chris’s latest release, will join him as a special guest.
Belfast International Arts Festival director, Richard Wakely said: “The contribution of these acclaimed musicians to contemporary music and culture is universally acknowledged. Their impact extends far beyond the stage and their artistry continues to shape the modern folk landscape. This is a unique opportunity to witness unmistakably original musical talent and we fully expect these shows to sell quickly.”
It was announced last year that Richard would be stepping down from his role as the festival’s director at the end of 2025 after more than a decade at its helm. He said these performances are a part of this closing chapter.
“I feel so very privileged to have collaborated with some of the most influential artists across every discipline during my time at Belfast International Arts Festival and I’m honoured to welcome back some of those artists that have meant a lot to me for our 2025 autumn programme.”
Tickets for Martin Hayes and Chris Smither are on sale now.
Tickets for Lisa O’Neill go on sale Monday 28th April at 10am.
For more information and to book tickets, see BIAF 2025 Programme.