Under The Drum Festival returns to the rolling hills of Antrim this summer, August 8th & 9th, transforming the magical Breckenhill site into a vibrant playground where VIP areas don’t exist and the focus is on local music, art, and genuine community. Prioritising the close-up moments and a deep care for the land it calls home.
Born from a desire to create an alternative space for Belfast and Ireland’s wider music scene, Under the Drum was founded by brothers and sister Will, George & Rosanna Reade to spotlight high-quality local acts. Spanning multiple stages and inviting them to share the stage with some of the best rock, folk, electronic and soul acts from across the island.
Set at Breckenhill, the festival takes place on land that the family has lovingly transformed over the past 37 years, from a forgotten ruin into a thriving haven of fields, ponds, and gardens. Every tree and plant rooted by their parents has been thoughtfully placed to help restore local biodiversity, reflecting a deep respect for the land and its wildlife. That same care extends to the festival, inviting the public to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings while nurturing an arts scene grounded in connection.
It’s no surprise that Under the Drum offers festival goers more than music. Guests are invited to explore yoga, an art market, falconry displays, spoken word from the Seamus Heaney Centre, wild swimming, an on-site sauna; all grounded in an ethos of sustainability.
“Our size is our strength,” says Rosanna, who leads artist curation and visuals.
“It allows us to be genuine in our ethical and environmental aims of being low-waste, low-impact and supporting brands that we believe in. It’s allowed us to curate a list of bands and artists that we love as we aren’t trying to fill a huge set list. We believe the atmosphere harks back to the old school festivals. Being smaller also means that you won’t ever be queuing for hours, or even minutes.”
Breckenhill holds deep respect for the land it inhabits, the venue normally powered by a mixture of solar and biomass energy to reduce their carbon footprint. The festival uses composting toilets, reusable cups, and recycled décor to minimise waste and environmental impact. Over 1,300 native Irish trees have been planted on site since 2021, making every footstep part of a longer journey toward ecological restoration.
The festival also partners with Beyond Skin, a charity fostering peace and cultural inclusion through the arts—reflecting Under the Drum’s core values of openness and community.
Day passes start at just £60. With full weekend access, including camping on site available for £100 total. Keeping things simple and affordable so that the festival stays accessible.
Lineup Highlights:
- Junior Brother, whose lyrical folk and humour embody Irish storytelling.
- Junk Drawer, whose boundary-pushing sound has earned them multiple NI Music Prize awards.
- Holly Lester, is a DJ, label owner and co-founder of Free The Night, a charity organisation campaigning for a better nighttime economy in NI.
- Negro Impacto, have made a significant impact on the Irish music scene by introducing a fresh, genre-defying sound that blends neo-soul, R&B, funk, and indie rock. . Regonised as part of RTÉ 2FM’s ‘Rising’ class of 2023 and as finalists in Hot Press’s ‘A New Local Hero’ competition
- Fizzy Orange, blending soul, rocksteady, and retro rhythms.
A rising wave of Irish acts including Vera, Touzai, and Moon Landing.