According to a recent independent report, the 2023 editions of Belfast’s Belsonic Festival in Ormeau Park and Emerge Music Festival in Boucher Fields generated £30.8 million in additional economic activity for Northern Ireland, creating almost 6,000 paid employment opportunities in the process.

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

Together, the two festivals, both privately held and funded, attracted over 200,000 paid attendees, a number of them travelling from as far away as Australia, the US and mainland Europe to join the Belfast crowds.

“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,” explained Gerry Lennon, the chief executive at Visit Belfast.

The study was conducted by Chris Carey, chief economist at LIVE and a leading consultant at Sony Music, Spotify and London’s O2 Arena, alongside live entertainment consultant Tim Chambers, who previously occupied senior roles at Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

“Belfast has been a city of music for hundreds of years – and currently we’re the only UNESCO city of music on the island of Ireland – so it’s fantastic to see events like Belsonic and Emerge… making such strong contributions both to our city experience and our economy,” Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy said in response to the report.

Belsonic, established in 2008, quickly became known as one of Northern Ireland’s largest live music events, hosting A-list headliners like Lizzo, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, George Ezra, David Guetta and Florence and The Machine. The annual event will return to Ormeau Park this June, featuring headliners Take That, Sting, Shania Twain, Becky Hill and more.

Emerge Music Festival has donned a similar connotation in the two years since its inception. Widely recognized as Ireland’s largest electronic music festival , Emerge features over 50 acts annually, both local and international, across four stages and two days. Last year’s headliners Carl Cox, Bicep, Camelphat and Charlotte DeWitte played to immense sold-out crowds, paving the way for considerable expansion with this year’s August event.

“The arts have a unique ability to bring people and communities together in a positive and transformative way,” said Liam Hannaway, chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. “Belsonic and, more recently the Emerge festival, have become summer staples, annually attracting large audiences, united by their love of music. The figures published today are to be welcomed and demonstrate the enormous contribution the arts and cultural scene make to society and the local economy. Congratulations to the Belsonic and Emerge teams on another successful year.”