Talent Development Partner 2017: Oh Yeah Music Centre

Oh Yeah is Belfast’s dedicated music hub – a resource for music makers and also for the business of music. It was constituted in 2007 in the belief that music is a valuable agent in Northern Ireland, a catalyst that changes lives for the better. Their mission statement is ‘Open Doors To Music’. Oh Yeah combine the verve and resourcefulness of the music industry with a programme of social value. They provide affordable rehearsal space, a live venue, a music exhibition, a café space, a recording studio, a song-writing room, office units and workshop spaces. Oh Yeah is a campus facility for Belfast Metropolitan College, facilitating 120 students and 5 accredited courses.

PRS Foundation supported programmes focus on talent development, youth mentoring, community outreach, arts and older people plus music industry incubation and music tourism. They have a four-tier development vision that includes the following strands:

• Scratch My Progress – a structured talent development programme for 4-5 acts per year
• Getting To Know – a live conversation and session with songwriters before a responsive audience, providing instant feedback
• Women’s Work – an annual festival that aims to redress gender balance in the music industry
• Volume Control – Events mentoring for youth and an opportunity for young acts to play their first significant gig

Annual events include the Sound of Belfast programme, the NI Music Prize, the Oh Yeah Legend Award, a Youth Music Conference and a Music Cities event.