Belsonic and Emerge: music festivals boost NI economy by £31m

Two of the biggest music festivals held in Northern Ireland have generated nearly £31m for the economy, a new report revealed today (Wednesday).

The Belsonic Festival at Belfast’s Ormeau Park, and Emerge Music Festival in the city’s Boucher Fields, also created almost 6,000 paid employment opportunities according to an independent report.

Together, these two events attracted 200,000 attendees, with substantial numbers of customers travelling to the events from out of state, with revellers coming from as far away as Australia, USA and mainland Europe.

Chris Carey, Chief Economist at LIVE, the trade body for the UK Live Music Industry, and consultant to Sony Music, Spotify, and London's O2 Arena, conducted the study alongside live entertainment consultant Tim Chambers.

Belsonic, which was established in 2008 which organisers say has steadily grown to occupy the position as Northern Ireland’s largest live music event, generated £20.4 million pounds of additional economic activity in 2023, owing to sold out headline shows from international artists such as Lizzo, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, George Ezra, David Guetta & Florence & The Machine.

The annual event returns to Ormeau Park in June 2024, with headliners such as Take That, Sting, Shania Twain, Becky Hill & Limp Bizkit.

The electronic Emerge Music Festival launched in 2022 and last year featured more than 50 acts, both local and international, across 4 stages and two days.

Headliners Carl Cox, Bicep, Camelphat and Charlotte deWitte played to sold out audiences, paving the way for a substantial expansion for the 2024 event, scheduled for August 24/25.

Festival Director Alan Simms, also of The Limelight Belfast, CHSQ, Shine and many other live music companies in the city, said: “These economic impact figures are startling, and clearly indicative of the broader and hugely positive economic benefit to Belfast and beyond.

"Hospitality businesses, private transport, public services and many other key areas of the local economy benefit on show nights, and the local tourism industry and hotel occupancy always see a strong boost, not to mention the thousands of staff and local suppliers employed at these and our other events.

"We are delighted to see our events contribute to the local economy in such a substantial fashion both with the large summer events and the many other concerts and event we produce throughout the rest of the year.”

Economy Minister Conor Murphy added: "Events such as Belsonic and Emerge are considerable economic drivers providing a much needed boost for our local tourism and hospitality industry. Employing thousands of people each year, they also engender a feel good factor and a sense of pride that shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Meanwhile, Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive, Visit Belfast, welcomed the figures:

“Events play a pivotal part in driving tourism growth and generating revenue that supports thousands of jobs across the city and region, creating compelling opportunities to visit and enjoy a vibrant, thriving city that boasts festivals and events all year round," he said.

"These two iconic music festivals have grown in strength and stature and help in showcasing Belfast as an outstanding, welcoming and exciting destination for local, national and international visitors and I congratulate everyone involved on this outstanding success.”