Internationally acclaimed music festival Other Voices announces the return of Other Voices Derry on 25 & 26 September 2026. More than a decade after it was last staged in the city, Other Voices Derry officially kicks off the festivals landmark 25th anniversary celebrations.
The festival will transform Derry into a city-wide celebration of music, conversation and connection with more than a dozen live performances taking place on the Music Trail across two days. Featuring intimate gigs, a brand-new conversation programme and globally streamed performances from the historic St Columb’s Hall, the weekend will celebrate the artists shaping the future of music in Ireland and beyond.
“To take Other Voices from Dingle to the singing City of Derry in 2013 and 2014 was just wonderful. The music played in churches, halls, schools in the heart of communities, and in barrooms, box rooms and bedrooms was magical. We just loved the welcome, and in this great city we have forged some of the most important personal and professional Other Voices relationships. Everywhere we go, Derry comes with us, so in this, our 25th year, to return to Derry this September is an honour and a pure delight. A big thank you to Derry & Strabane District Council, Tourism NI, and the Shared Island Fund for helping to make this happen.”
– Other Voices Founder Philip King
Saturday will see the debut of Soundings, a new discursive strand bringing conversation and ideas into the weekend. It will bring together artists, writers, makers, thinkers and civil society leaders to explore some of the defining questions of our time through the lenses of culture, community and civic imagination, and shine a light on the people imagining more hopeful futures.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said:
“I am delighted to see Other Voices returning to Derry this September. Since its first visit to our city during the UK City of Culture celebrations in 2013, the festival has held a special place in our cultural story, bringing together exceptional musical talent and showcasing our city to audiences around the world.”
“Derry is renowned for its rich musical heritage and vibrant creative community making it the perfect setting for an event of this calibre. We look forward to reconnecting and collaborating with Other Voices once again, welcoming artists and music lovers from near and far for what promises to be another memorable celebration of music and culture.”
Weekend Music Trail wristbands are on sale now via Eventbrite priced at £60+ booking fees and will give access to every show on the Music Trail, Soundings and be automatically entered into a draw for headline performances in St Columb’s Hall.
With the full Music Trail line-up to be announced next week, Other Voices fans will, for the first time, be able to choose their own adventure, with individually ticketed shows priced at £15 and £20+ booking fees.
Entry to Soundings is included in all tickets, or via registration on Eventbrite for the general public.
Other Voices Derry is produced with the support of the Reed, Government of Ireland, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund, Derry City Strabane District Council, Tourism Northern Ireland, and IMRO and is produced by South Wind Blows in in partnership with Celtronic and Féile .
Find out more about Other Voices Derry.