BBC Introducing LIVE is returning to Belfast International Arts Festival – with Dea Matrona, Le Boom and more

Artists from around the world are gearing up for the 2024 edition of the Belfast International Arts Festival, running from October 16 to November 26. But this year's festival is also, once again, putting a strong emphasis on showcasing and celebrating the best of the  homegrown scene – with the BBC Introducing LIVE show, taking place at Mandela Hall on Friday, October 25, set to feature four of Ireland's most promising acts: Le Boom, CHERYM, Dea Matrona, and TRAMP.

Returning to the festival for a second year, Introducing LIVE is the BBC's annual flagship music discovery event. In addition to the Belfast show, cities like Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle are also hosting their own special events over the course of the month.

It's been an action-packed year for all four acts on the line-up. Le Boom – the high-energy sibling duo from Navan – will land in Belfast in the midst of a busy run of Irish tour dates, following the release of their acclaimed new single 'On My Mind'.

“Every single time we come onto the stage and look out to the audience – and see all these people who with their mates – that still blows our minds," the pair told Hot Press earlier this year.

Derry pop-punk trio CHERYM have enjoyed a similarly massive year, releasing their lauded debut album Take It Or Leave It – which Edwin McFee described as "cracker", as well as "fun an infections from start to finish", in his rave review.

Rock duo Dea Matrona also unveiled their long-awaited debut LP this year.

“This is just the beginning for us,” Mollie McGinn, one half of the band, said of the self-produced For Your Sins. “This album solidifies the fact that we are a band and we’re not just in it for the singles or social media. We want to have bodies of work and be seen as a serious act.”

Finally, for TRAMP, the BBC Introducing LIVE show is set to be an extra special evening – coinciding with the release of their debut EP, Bimbofication. The project promises to further establish the indie/punk four-piece as a phenomenal emerging force in Irish music – after being tipped as 'Hot For 2024' by Hot Press, and scoring the  BBC Introducing: ATL Artist of The Year at the 2023 NI Music Prize.

The four acts are following in the footsteps of artists like Ed Sheeran, RAYE, Sam Fender and Wet Leg, who also received BBC Introducing support early in their careers.

The Belfast show has been curated by ATL Introducing, in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival. Following an Open Decks session for aspiring DJs, doors for the highly anticipated Mandela Hall gig open at 6pm.