Belfast Music City

The Songwriting and Poetry Episode, where we discuss how songs and poetry help us connect with each other and with the artists.

featuring Wilfie Gilbert, one of Ireland's very best songwriters; Fiona Gault, Reading from an acclaimed new book of poetry she has compiled on Padraic Fiagg; Conchur White, now signed to Bella Union with his fabulous new album.

Welcome to episode 6 of Belfast Music City

From the intimate setting of Kyle’s Music and Poetry House, tonight we explore the next chapter in our worthy quest to explore exactly why Belfast is the quintessential music city.

Tonight Kyle is in conversation with longstanding friend David Boyd, founder and mastermind behind Belfast’s world-famous Beat Carnival, exploring how David’s desire to hear the beat of a different drum has helped shape the vibe of Belfast. 

Also joining by phone is Steven Boyd, proprietor of Bangor’s Bending Sound Records, reflecting on the importance of Record Store Day and the amazing boom in vinyl record sales and how sales of physical product genuinely benefits the recording artist.

Looking further afield, we take a diversion to Colombia’s rich music culture before we round out the disparate threads of tonights episode with our usual shout-outs and hellos to listeners.

Question: What’s the cult classic album to which you feel more attached than anyone else, and why?

Tonight’s episode features Kyle’s good friend Brian Bell, a welcome return of author and Legends of Tomorrow instigator Colin Harper from our pilot episode, and local restaurateur, 80s club runner and punk style icon Mary Armstrong. 

Colin regales us with his unexpected passion for Arlo Guthrie’s 1973 album Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys, Mary confirms her new wave cool with Japan’s Tin Drum while the Kylemeister enthuses about the classic Garland Jeffries album Ghostwriter and it's stand out track 'Spanish Town'.

But first, Brian Bell takes us way back, takes us way back… to Van Morrison as lead singer of Them in the 60s. Get on board and let’s rock!

Sit back, pour a glass of your favourite and get ready for a bumper hour-plus episode of Belfast Music City! This time round, Kyle chats with a genuine Belfast Punk legend, none other than Henry Cluney of Stiff Little Fingers - folks, it really doesn't get much better than this...

An introduction to the next chapter of Belfast Music City.

Kyle pays tribute to the passing of Karl Wallinger last week. Tonight's guest, writer and ex-NME editor Stuart Bailie and Kyle chat about Karl's contribution to Waterboys' classic album, 'This is the Sea' and his broader music legacy via World Party.

Karl's contribution and arrangement skills on the opening track 'Don't Bang the Drum' inspired Kyle to think about great opening tracks and intros to both albums and singles.

Tonight's episode features samples from a diverse range of musical genres which have inspired Kyle over the years.

Tonight's music includes (in no particular order:

Sensational Alex Harvey Band / Faith Healer © Eiger Music

World Party / Is it Like Today © Ensign Records

Rose Rouge / St Germain © Blue Note

Nice & Sleazy / Stranglers © United Artists

Half Time (Butcher Remix) / Nas @ Sony Music

Dance Stance / Dexy’s Midnight Runners © Parlaphone Records

Ain’t That Enough / Teenage Fanclub © Creation Records

Uptown Top Ranking / Althia and Donna © Lighting Music

Setanta / Maeve’s Court / Horslips © RCA Limited

Turn the Page / The Streets © Warner Music

Waterboys / Don’t Bang the Drum © EMI Music

Continuing to set the scene as to why Belfast is a unique music city, Kyle and guest Lowrie Robinson reflect on both Kyle and Rudi's move to England, their industry contacts, associations and stories. Also a quick look at record collectors and an introduction to a community arts project which is a good news story for Belfast ahead of International Women's Day. Did someone say Angelina Jolie? Yes, so listen now.

Episode 1 of Belfast Music City by Kyle Leitch. This episode's guests are music historian Colin Harper; music legend Brian Young, who's band Rudi recorded the classic Big Time, the first release on Good Vibrations label; and music distributor Robin Brown who worked with Kyle during the late 70s and then set up Dr Robert in Church Lane, Belfast.

An absorbing discussion about the punk era from the perspective of a stand-out band and Belfast's leading record store.

Tragically Robin Brown passed away in late 2024.

A pre-launch / test of Kyle Leitch's new music commentary series, Belfast Music City. Keep checking back for more.