Following a string of sold-out performances at the Grand Opera House and Waterfront Hall, Northern Ireland’s own Foy Vance is set to headline one of Belfast’s most anticipated summer events — A Celebration of Life — live at Custom House Square on Saturday 15th August 2026.
Presented by CHSQ, this special open-air concert promises an unforgettable evening of song, satire, and poetry, featuring a hand-picked lineup of remarkable guests: Joshua Burnside, Vittorio Angelone, Bonnie Bishop, and Jon Plunkett.
🎟️ Tickets go on sale Friday, 7th November at 10am via Ticketmaster.ie — and if past shows are anything to go by, fans should move fast.
✨ A Celebration of Humanity, Imperfection & Soul
An Emmy Award-winning artist, storyteller, and one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive musical voices, Foy Vance continues to carve his own path through the global music landscape. His latest double single release — “A.I.”and “Call Me Anytime” — marks his debut on Rounder Records and perfectly captures the heart of this concert’s theme: celebrating what it means to be human.
“A.I.” is a gloriously chaotic nine-minute anthem on the rise of artificial intelligence — a prison yard lament that evolves into a gospel-tinged revolt, full of frenetic guitar work and life-affirming imperfection.
“It’s a dystopian thought,” says Vance, “but it got me curious about what we have that AI lacks — and the answer is imperfection. The whole premise was to be as human as possible. There’s nothing we can do to change the course of AI, but what we can do is celebrate what we have right now.”
In contrast, “Call Me Anytime” showcases Vance’s tender, introspective side — a stripped-back reflection on fatherhood, love, and connection. Produced by the legendary Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne), both songs highlight Vance’s remarkable ability to blend grit and grace, with his signature soulful delivery front and centre.
🌍 From Bangor to the World
Across acclaimed albums such as Hope, Joy of Nothing, The Wild Swan, and Signs of Life, Vance has built a reputation for blending raw emotion with sonic grandeur — a fearless fusion of folk, Americana, and soul. His work has drawn praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, and Billboard, while earning admiration from global icons including Ed Sheeran, Bonnie Raitt, Kacey Musgraves, and Sir Elton John, who executive-produced The Wild Swan.
Now, with A Celebration of Life, Belfast audiences can look forward to seeing one of Northern Ireland’s finest musical exports return home for what promises to be a powerful, poetic, and uplifting night beneath the city lights.
📅 Event Details
What: CHSQ Presents – A Celebration of Life: Foy Vance & Friends
When: Saturday 15th August 2026
Where: Custom House Square, Belfast
Gates: 6PM
Tickets: On sale Friday 7th November at 10AM via Ticketmaster.ie
🎧 Listen Now:
Stream “A.I.” and “Call Me Anytime” on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
📲 Follow Foy Vance:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok
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