This year marks 100 years of the BBC in Northern Ireland. As part of a series of events and activities, Christine Lampard returns to our local airwaves to host a special BBC gala concert at the Waterfront Hall, with support from Belfast City Council as part of its Belfast 2024 programme.
A Century Of Stories, will be recorded for BBC television and radio this evening (Tuesday 24 September) and will celebrate the range of the BBC’s work and its important role in local community life – bringing the best of everything to everyone.
The Ulster Orchestra will be centre stage, showcasing its versatility as the BBC’s orchestra in Northern Ireland. And there’ll be performances also from a stellar cast of talent: Clannad, D:Ream, Tony Hadley, Katharine Timoney, as well as The Tumbling Paddies, and St Kieran’s Primary School Choir from Belfast.
A Century of Stories will also include specially commissioned audio-visual works from Eoin O’Callaghan, Siobhan Brown, The Darkling Air and guitarist Rory Friers from And So I Watch You From Afar - all of which have been inspired by the BBC local programme archives.
The show features guest presenters including Marie Jones, Mark Carruthers, Lady Mary Peters, Hannah Peel, Gemma Bradley, Tim McGarry, and actors Derek Thompson (Blue Lights) and Tara Lynne O’Neill (Hope Street).
Tickets for this big, BBC birthday concert have now all been allocated.
Adam Smyth, Director, BBC Northern Ireland said:
“BBC programmes and people have been at the heart of local community life for the last 100 years. This concert will celebrate that legacy and the stories of the audiences we serve. It’s a celebration in words, music and pictures and a birthday party unlike any other. A Century Of Stories is also a reminder of the BBC’s role in showcasing talent and creating events that bring all of us together.”
Christine Lampard said:
“I am really delighted to be back in Belfast to present this fantastic show. This is where it all began for me and my career working for BBC Northern Ireland, and it will be a real pleasure to be part of the BBC’s 100th birthday celebrations.”
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said:
“We’re pleased to work together with BBC NI once again on this special event, which forms part of our Belfast 2024 programme, and reflects its central themes of people, place and planet.
“As a City of Music, Belfast is rich with musical talent and potential, and this will be a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase that offering, with new versions of familiar songs that have a special significance for the BBC NI audience.”
The event will be broadcast on BBC television and BBC Radio Ulster later this year.