What's On in Belfast

Youth Open Mic — There is something genuinely moving about hearing the next generation of Belfast musicians take a deep breath and step up to the microphone, and the Oh Yeah Music Centre — one of the city's most beloved grassroots music venues — is the perfect place for it. At just £3 and kicking off at 12:00pm, this is an ideal early-afternoon stop for music lovers who want something real and unfiltered, or for parents who want to introduce their kids to live performance culture. Expect nerves, talent, unexpected covers, and maybe a future headliner or two.

Belfast Giants V Guildford Flames — The O2 Belfast becomes an ice-cold cauldron of noise at 5:00pm as the Belfast Giants take on the Guildford Flames in what promises to be a ferocious Elite League clash. Ice hockey has a passionate, loyal following in this city, and the atmosphere inside the arena on a match night is genuinely unlike anything else — fast, physical, and completely gripping even if you have never watched the sport before. Check the website for ticket prices and availability, and go with an open mind; you will almost certainly leave a convert.

Moving Pictures - a Tribute To Rush — If you have ever air-drummed to Tom Sawyer or lost yourself in the sprawling prog-rock architecture of Moving Pictures, then the Limelight 1 at 6:00pm is where you need to be tonight. This tribute act takes on one of rock's most technically demanding catalogues, promising a night of tight, ambitious playing that does proper justice to Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart's extraordinary legacy. Check the website for tickets, and do not underestimate how good a great tribute show can be in a room this intimate.

Magic Queen — Mandela Hall at 7:00pm becomes Wembley Stadium — at least in spirit — as Magic Queen bring their dazzling celebration of one of the greatest rock bands the world has ever produced. Expect flamboyant theatrics, soaring vocal performances, and a set list crammed with anthems that will have the entire room singing every single word. Whether you grew up on Bohemian Rhapsody or only recently fell down the Queen rabbit hole, this is a joyful, communal night out that earns every bit of its reputation. Check the website for tickets.

Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts — Ricky Warwick is a Belfast rock institution — the man who fronts Black Star Riders and has spent decades writing big-hearted, working-class rock and roll — and seeing him in a room as intimate as the Limelight 2 at 7:00pm is a genuine privilege. With his Fighting Hearts behind him, expect a set that is raw, warm, and full of stories, the kind of gig that reminds you why live music matters in the first place. Check the website for tickets, and get there early to soak up the atmosphere.

Ode to Misinformation: Rarewitch Live — For something a little more left-field and genuinely exciting, Rarewitch take over the Oh Yeah Music Centre at 7:00pm for what promises to be a bold, concept-driven live show built around their project Ode to Misinformation. At £12, this is an affordable ticket to something that feels genuinely of the moment — provocative, creative, and the sort of night you will be telling people about next week. If you like your Sunday evenings to come with a little edge and a lot of atmosphere, do not sleep on this one.