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Festival time in Northern Ireland

Fancy some live music this summer? Then head North for some of the best summer music festivals By Shelley Marsden - 02/07/09

• The Willowstone Festival, June 27, Delamont Country Park, Co Down.

Taking place in Killyleagh's scenic Delamont Country Park, Willowstone offers a one-day line-up of music and arts. This year the main stage is headlined by Republic of Loose, with Panama Kings, Heliopause and The Continuous Battle of Order also confirmed.

• Trans 2009, July 4-31, The Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Acts announced include Daddy G (one half of Massive Attack), Simian Mobile Disco and electro-punker Ebony Bones' Irish debut. Dananananaykroyd perform, as do Brooklyn electronic duo Telepathe, Rough Trade’s Micachu and the Shapes, Freeland, Logistics, FM Belfast, Thomas Tantrum, Super Extra Bonus Party and more.

• Glasgowbury, July 25, Eagle's Rock, Draperstown.

Northern Ireland's ‘biggest wee festival ‘continues to grow, with And So I Watch You From Afar, Fighting With Wire and In Case of Fire all booked to play.

• Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, September 4-6, the Ulster American Folk Park.Europe's premier bluegrass music event with international artists performing in the stunning open-air setting of the Ulster American Folk Park.

• The Open

House Festival, September 23-27, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.

Five days of red hot roots music from Traditional Irish to Americana, Bluegrass to Punk Blues, with free pub sessions and the Chillifest marquee.

• The Belfast Festival

at Queen's, October 16-31, Queen's University, Belfast.

With Valery Gergiev conducting the opening concert, Ludovico Einaudi's Northern Irish premiere in the newly-renovated Ulster Hall, and National Brass Band Champions the Black Dyke Band, this year's Belfast Festival at Queen's is shaping up as one of the most memorable.