Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis today (Friday 29 Oct) announced that the landmark Live at the Waterfront! concert will be televised on Sky Arts and Freeview on Monday 13 December. The major television deal means that everyone will have the chance to enjoy this unique celebration of Northern Ireland's performing arts talent.
Live at the Waterfront!, funded by the Northern Ireland Office centenary programme budget, took place at Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Friday 22 October, and brought together some of Northern Ireland's finest singer-songwriters, musicians, actors and comedians. The fantastic night of entertainment, hosted by award-winning comedian Patrick Kielty and rising star TV journalist Holly Hamilton, celebrated Northern Ireland's music and arts - past, present and future. Among those taking part was Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody, who delighted the audience with his surprise appearance and stunning rendition of well-known hits.
Over 70% of the concert tickets were given free to key workers in health and social care, food retail and NI charities, representing Northern Ireland's enormous gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. With the Sky Arts deal, everyone can now experience this remarkable night of entertainment.
The concert will be televised on Sky Arts on Monday 13 December. The deal with Sky will also see the concert made available to view on the platform's on demand services, so people can enjoy the memorable night.
Live at the Waterfront! is produced for television by Green Inc Film and Television. The concert event was co-produced by Shine and Snow Water.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said:
"The Live at the Waterfront! Concert was a wonderful celebration of the artistic talent that exists in Northern Ireland, and I'm delighted that this fantastic night of music, performance and comedy will now be available to a wider audience.
"I am immensely proud that the Northern Ireland Office was able to fund this event,from our centenary programme budget, and use it to recognise our key workers for their dedication during the pandemic. I hope it will also provide a boost to the local arts sector as it recovers from the impact of coronavirus.
"I would like to thank Sky for helping us further highlight the huge potential and great talent that exists in Northern Ireland's music and arts industry."
Phil Edgar-Jones, Director, Sky Arts:
"Northern Ireland is such a special part of the world, you'll rarely meet nicer, friendlier people wherever you go! It's also a vibrant hub of creativity and we are pleased to be celebrating some of the brilliant artists who tell their tales through music and performance and spread positivity and inclusivity in the province."
Live at the Waterfront! Executive Producer Stephen Stewart, of Green Inc, said:
"It makes me very proud that my Northern Ireland based company is able to televise this event, which proves what we have always known here locally - that this little country punches way above its weight for talent. And I don't just mean the musicians, comedians and writers, who are obviously amongst the best in the world, but also the TV and theatrical backstage wizards who helped put this fantastic show together. I hope everyone is as impressed with it as I am."
The concert was supported by the Arts Council NI and NI Screene. It will be televised by Sky Arts on Monday 13 December and available on Sky on demand services thereafter.
