Meet The Artists
Biskee Brisht
Buckle up, Belfast—here comes Biskee Brisht!
Straight off the mystical shores of the Isle of Man, this bunch bring their quirky, foot-stompin' indie-folk magic to the Belfast Ukulele Festival. Armed with ukes, catchy hooks, and enough energy to wake the fairies, their unique blend of folk-infused fun and melodic mischief will have you grinnin', tappin', and singin' along before you know what's hit you!
Songwriter Ruby Biscoe-Taylor takes her influences from artists like Beirut and Sharon Van Etten, a love of the island and its culture, plus an addiction to 60s girl bands, resulting in a sound that’s hard to pin down.
Biskee Brisht (Manx Gaelic for ‘Broken Biscuit’) formed in 2017 and quickly became back-to-back winners of the Arrane Son Mannin (Song for Mann) competition. They've rocked stages at the International Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland and released their debut album ‘Stand in the Sea’ in 2020, followed by two festive singles. Recently crowned champions of the 2024 Original Quids Inn & Barbers Unit 5 Band Battle, they're now busy cooking up their second album!
Don't miss 'em—this is Manx madness at its musical best!
Chris Hough
Chris 'Ukulele' Uff, renowned for his distinctive and obscure playing style, is set to enchant audiences at the Belfast Ukulele Festival with his solo performance. As the frontman of the Ukulele Uff Trio, Chris has captivated listeners worldwide with his renditions of 1920s and 1930s jazz, Tin Pan Alley classics, and traditional Hawaiian melodies.
Hailing from Liverpool, a city celebrated for its rich musical heritage, Chris brings a unique blend of high-energy performance and relaxed stage presence. His mastery of advanced ukulele techniques, including the triple strum and fan stroke, showcases his dedication to the craft and offers audiences a glimpse into the stylized sounds of a bygone era.
Beyond performing, Chris is passionate about teaching, sharing his expertise through workshops and courses aimed at advancing ukulele skills among enthusiasts.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience Chris 'Ukulele' Uff's solo act—a harmonious journey through time, delivered with unparalleled skill and a touch of Liverpudlian charm.
Check out Ukulele Uff videos here!
The Mersey Belles
Introducing The Mersey Belles, the dynamic ukulele duo from Liverpool, ready to charm the Belfast Ukulele Festival!
Dani and Rosie blend close harmony vocals with ukulele melodies, reimagining contemporary hits and ukulele classics with a vintage twist.
Their performances are a delightful mix of music and gentle choreography, radiating joy and nostalgia. Beyond the stage, they're passionate educators, offering workshops on vocal techniques and performance skills.
Don't miss the chance to experience their captivating blend of past and present at the festival!
The Dublin Ukulele Collective
We’re buzzin' to welcome the Dublin Ukulele Collective to Belfast this summer!
This high-energy, feel-good mega-group of ukers will be bringing their signature mix of harmony, heart, and pure craic to the festival stage on Saturday afternoon – and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.
With up to 30 members strumming, singing and shaking the stage (and possibly the audience), their set is a glorious celebration of community, creativity, and catchy tunes. Expect big smiles, big sounds, and maybe even a few surprise covers that’ll have you dancing in the aisles.
☘️ Dublin’s finest. Belfast’s luckiest. Let’s give them a proper welcome!
Check out some of their cracking performances on the DUC Facebook Page
Emilie Lierre
Introducing Emilie Lierre, the soulful singer-songwriter set to grace the Belfast Ukulele Festival stage!
With deep, velvety vocals and trusty ukulele in hand, Emilie delivers performances that captivate and enchant. A true nomad at heart, she's strummed her way across the UK, France, Australia, and New Zealand, sharing heartfelt originals and unique spins on beloved classics. Her debut album, The Wanderer, offers listeners a journey through her musings on life and love, all accompanied by the gentle strum of her uke.
Oh—and did we mention she was nominated for a 2024 UKIES Award for Best Newcomer? Unlike us, Emilie actually won! (No bitterness here, promise ;-))
Catch her electrifying charisma and award-winning charm live at the festival!
Emer Maguire
Emer needs no introduction!
Friend of the festival, MC extraordinaire, and now TV star - Emer has been capturing audiences province-wide with her wonderful blend of musical humour, extreme sharp wit and educational banter. She’s back again this year to keep us all in check, introduce the acts and give us a bit more of her craic!
Emer will be MC’ing at the BIG GIG on Saturday night and hopefully popping up over the rest of the weekend!