SIOBHAN BROWN: POWER UP Industry Professional
Short Bio: Since arriving in Northern Ireland in 1992, I have been an advocate for Music of Black Origin (MOBO), working to carve out space for soul, jazz, and gospel in a landscape where these genres have often been underrepresented. My mission has challenged the disconnect between soul and its power to effect real change on the island of Ireland, connecting diverse communities through performance, education, and celebration. As the founder and director of Soultrane Festival and the lead behind my Soul band Manukahunney, I’ve led groundbreaking initiatives that spotlight Black artistry. In 2024 and 2025, I delivered Ireland’s first soul festival, featuring acclaimed artists Omar and Terri Walker as headliners, 21 MOBO acts from USA, UK and Ireland, Black-owned food and fashion businesses, and a team of Black creatives all featuring in the festival. I also present The Siobhan Brown Soul Show on BBC Radio Ulster, sharing the breadth of soul music and expanding its reach. I’m proud to be the first Black woman from Northern Ireland invited to celebrate Black History Month at 10 Downing Street (2024), and to have performed with the Ulster Orchestra, led my own choir on RTE & BBC and contributed original music to BBC’s Century of Stories. I’ve reimagined Thomas Moore’s poetry for TG4 documentary and Curated the first gospel concert for Sound of Belfast 2024. My work is driven by the belief that soul is not just music, it’s a movement and a means to unify.
Description of activity: Development of Soultrane Festival & Soultrane CIC & setup of a fringe programme to support the sustainable growth of Soultrane CIC.
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