By Kayleigh-Rose McDonald
Being an artist in 2026 isn’t limited to playing an instrument or singing, many have had to become their own social media and marketing managers, having to book their own gigs and trying to release their music onto different platforms out of their own pocket.
Northern Ireland’s music scene has long been defined by creativity and resilience. From grassroot venues to emerging artists recording in home studies, the region continues to produce musicians whose work travels far beyond the stages such as Kneecap and Fontaines D.C. Yet many of those working within the sector describe a landscape where financial support is limited and were sustaining a career often requires a careful balance of passion, having a full-time job and community collaboration.
A beginner singer from Northern Ireland, Izabella Kyle who is also a young university student has stated that she feels her “career cannot grow” the way she intends it to due to the “financial pressures”.
“I had to go and buy a £500 second hand speaker for my gigs as the regular prices for speakers that produce good quality sound are too out of my budget alongside the price of mics, petrol and sheet music” she states. Izabella usually performs in hotels and restaurants in Tyrone and earns £80 per gig which is a small relief from financial pressures.
Public funding for the arts in Northern Ireland is primarily delivered through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) supported by the Department for Communities. Both bodies have consistently highlighted the value of creative industries, and the contribution musicians make to cultural life, tourism and community wellbeing.
However, available funding is finite, and demand frequently exceeds supply. As a result, many musicians rely on a patchwork of small grants, project-based support and personal investment to develop their work.
The contrast with the Republic of Ireland has become more visible in recent years, particularly as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has expanded its support for artists. Musicians in the south can access targeted schemes such as the Music Industry Stimulus Package, touring grants and recording supports.
Musicians in Northern Ireland would like the government to provide a basic income for artists, like the Republic of Ireland where a scheme paying £283 a week has recently been made permanent.
Another musician Matthew Wilson stated that when he first began as an artist he “funded through working and saving to afford PA systems” now that his career as an artist has taken off he receives payment for the gigs he does, but a lot of that money is spent on the requirement for insurance and other outgoings.
“In comparison to the South there is not much of a mechanism to help young artists progress to the next level, hence why many people leave Northern Ireland to pursue a career as a musician. Although there is funding available there is only a select few people who receive it and they are usually those more advanced and experienced with filling in applications” Matthew stated.
There is also growing interest in cross- border collaboration. Some Northern Irish musicians have successfully accessed supports in the Republic through partnerships, touring circuits or all-island initiatives. Industry organisations on both sides of the border have expressed interest in strengthening these connections.
Northern Ireland’s music scene has never relied solely on funding to define its character. Its energy comes from the artists themselves- from the songwriters performing in small venues, the producers working late in shared studios, and the bands building audiences from scratch. With continued support from ACNI, the Department for Communities and the wider cultural ecosystems, musicians across the region remain committed to creating work that resonates both locally and potentially beyond.
