Explore every episode of the podcast Belfast Music City

The Shock Treatment / Barry Mcilhenny tribute episode.

Tonight's episode features Shock Treatment and was originally planned to have both driving force of the band, Davy McLarnon and Barry Mcilhenny, writer, lyricist and front man par excellence.

Sadly Barry passed away in Spain the week before what turned out to a poignant but uplifting gig at Belfast's the American Bar, a gig which did him proud.

Tune in for reflections on the band and on the incredible life of music writer and later a publishing giant in UK.

In addition, I have contributions from Paul Burgess, friend and old flatmate of Barry, plus memories from broadcaster Davy Sims and William Maxwell.

Stay tuned for a secret bonus track 'On the line' at the end.

Music in this episode:

Belfast Telegraph

Got No Right

On The Line

Belfast Music City Episode 15

We return after a Winter Break and as we chat the skies are blue! Today's guests have all been working on significant and critically acclaimed albums and have made a real contribution to the vibrant music scene over decades in Belfast.

Pat Gribben of the Adventures returns, their 1st album in 30 years was released last week.

Paul Archer has an upcoming album in summer and it's already being said, it's his best work to date.

Colin Harper returns to talk about his Dick Gaughan Box set triumph via a bold and hugely successful crowdfunding project.

Welcome to Spring in Belfast Music City!

Tracks featured in this episode:

1- Paul Archer - Art

2- The Adventures - With the Cats

3- Dick Gaughan - Revolution

4- Dick Gaughan - Freedom, Come All Ye

5- Paul Archer - Belfast Place of my Soul

6- Adventures - L. U. C. Y.

Find out more about this episode's guests below:

Paul Archer

https://paularcherofficial.com

The Adventures

https://theadventures9.wordpress.com

Colin Harper

https://legendsoftomorrowband.com

https://www.belfastproofreading.com

Belfast Music City ep14

Episode 14: Down at the Crossroads

Tonight we focus on the impact of the Blues on Belfast Music City and we feature three guests who have performed, written and researched the Blues and in doing so played or interviewed many of the legends.

Gary Burnett, author of The Gospel according to the Blues and also who has run the acclaimed Blues website, Down at the Crossroads.

Ronnie Greer, songwriter, blues and jazz guitarist who has played with countless legends of the genre.

Colin Harper, author, biographer, who's first book was A History of Irish Rhythm and Blues.

It's a lively episode which will give you a close up glimpse of the Blues and it's impact across the decades.

Episode 13... The World Drifts in...

World Music is centre stage tonight as I chat with two people in Belfast who champion both the sounds made and the people who are now based in Belfast, often in difficult circumstances.

Tune in and hear stories from legendary, multi award winning broadcaster, Davy Sims who hosts Around the world radio show which is broadcast in more countries than I can list here.

Darren Ferguson of Beyond Skin is a remarkable guy who is the 'go to' person when musicians across the world are in danger.

Prepare for some incredible new music and stories from the front line.

'Nothing takes the place of you.'

I was shocked by the passing of Robin Brown, my close friend of 50 years and Retail legend at both Caroline Music and Dr Robert.

The Music Community from the late 70s in Belfast come together in this episode to remember, Robin and his contribution to the scene, we also look at the origins of Belfast's best ever Record Store, Caroline Music.

This episode's guests are Keith Thompson and Caroline founder Lawrence Downey aka Radio presenter LJ the DJ.

Additionally ,William Maxwell of Time to be Proud Records makes a return as he was a regular customer in both stores.

We play some of the songs which Robin loved most...

RIP Robin

Belfast Music City Episode 11 sees us return with a new Songwriters episode featuring guests Brian Houston, established writer and producer of our other live guest, Chris Boldt, a 20 year old East Belfast writer making a name for himself in the USA with his debut release Heaven's Eyes.

In addition we have a world exclusive of a brand new Adventures track from their upcoming album...

Finally we go back to early 70's to uncover a cult classic album from Ernie Graham.

Enjoy folks and share with friends!

Belfast Music City celebrates hitting double digits with the release of tonight's episode 10. This time round Kyle is joined by Doctor Colin Harper and graphic design nerd Mark Case.

No stranger to this podcast, Colin shares some tales of his various music projects while Mark attempts to get a word or two in edgeways, as he explains why Colin's various CDs look the way they do. Be prepared for an avalanche of Helvetica and torrents of tall tales from the mixing desk - enjoy!

Follow up on Colin's writing and academic proofreading at belfastproofreading.com and his music at legendsoftomorrowband.com

Follow Mark's CD and book design at coversandcovers.com

Tonight’s guests on Belfast Music City Episode 9 are ex International footballer and friend of the original Sex Pistols Ian Stewart, and fellow podcaster and local record label owner (Immortal Records and Time to be Proud Records) William Maxwell. 

Our host Kyle continues to explore Belfast and Northern Ireland’s rich and diverse musical roots and branches with Ian and William, focusing on their wide ranging experience supporting the local music scene.

Stories a plenty in this episode - we hope you enjoy it!

Music on tonight’s episode includes:

Flytrap by ANJA

Suburban Saturday Night by DIRT BIRDS

Belfast Boy by THE BACK FOUR 

Under 19 Team by THE BACK FOUR 

Eating Lipstick by LE SCENES

Lou by CUPBOARD 55

Wild For Kicks by SABREJETS

Episode 8 of Kyle Leitch's Belfast Music City features Legends of West Belfast, Pat Gribben and Terry Sharpe from Starjets and The Adventures, plus Joby Fox, ex Bank Robbers and Energy Orchard calls in from his new abode in Denmark.

As well as looking back on their careers the guys talk about their recent recordings and we exclusively preview two brilliant new Adventures tracks from their upcoming album. Enjoy!

The Songwriting and Poetry Episode, where we discuss how songs and poetry help us connect with each other and with the artists.

featuring Wilfie Gilbert, one of Ireland's very best songwriters; Fiona Gault, Reading from an acclaimed new book of poetry she has compiled on Padraic Fiagg; Conchur White, now signed to Bella Union with his fabulous new album.

Welcome to episode 6 of Belfast Music City

From the intimate setting of Kyle’s Music and Poetry House, tonight we explore the next chapter in our worthy quest to explore exactly why Belfast is the quintessential music city.

Tonight Kyle is in conversation with longstanding friend David Boyd, founder and mastermind behind Belfast’s world-famous Beat Carnival, exploring how David’s desire to hear the beat of a different drum has helped shape the vibe of Belfast. 

Also joining by phone is Steven Boyd, proprietor of Bangor’s Bending Sound Records, reflecting on the importance of Record Store Day and the amazing boom in vinyl record sales and how sales of physical product genuinely benefits the recording artist.

Looking further afield, we take a diversion to Colombia’s rich music culture before we round out the disparate threads of tonights episode with our usual shout-outs and hellos to listeners.

Question: What’s the cult classic album to which you feel more attached than anyone else, and why?

Tonight’s episode features Kyle’s good friend Brian Bell, a welcome return of author and Legends of Tomorrow instigator Colin Harper from our pilot episode, and local restaurateur, 80s club runner and punk style icon Mary Armstrong. 

Colin regales us with his unexpected passion for Arlo Guthrie’s 1973 album Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys, Mary confirms her new wave cool with Japan’s Tin Drum while the Kylemeister enthuses about the classic Garland Jeffries album Ghostwriter and it's stand out track 'Spanish Town'.

But first, Brian Bell takes us way back, takes us way back… to Van Morrison as lead singer of Them in the 60s. Get on board and let’s rock!

Sit back, pour a glass of your favourite and get ready for a bumper hour-plus episode of Belfast Music City! This time round, Kyle chats with a genuine Belfast Punk legend, none other than Henry Cluney of Stiff Little Fingers - folks, it really doesn't get much better than this...

An introduction to the next chapter of Belfast Music City.

Kyle pays tribute to the passing of Karl Wallinger last week. Tonight's guest, writer and ex-NME editor Stuart Bailie and Kyle chat about Karl's contribution to Waterboys' classic album, 'This is the Sea' and his broader music legacy via World Party.

Karl's contribution and arrangement skills on the opening track 'Don't Bang the Drum' inspired Kyle to think about great opening tracks and intros to both albums and singles.

Tonight's episode features samples from a diverse range of musical genres which have inspired Kyle over the years.

Tonight's music includes (in no particular order:

Sensational Alex Harvey Band / Faith Healer © Eiger Music

World Party / Is it Like Today © Ensign Records

Rose Rouge / St Germain © Blue Note

Nice & Sleazy / Stranglers © United Artists

Half Time (Butcher Remix) / Nas @ Sony Music

Dance Stance / Dexy’s Midnight Runners © Parlaphone Records

Ain’t That Enough / Teenage Fanclub © Creation Records

Uptown Top Ranking / Althia and Donna © Lighting Music

Setanta / Maeve’s Court / Horslips © RCA Limited

Turn the Page / The Streets © Warner Music

Waterboys / Don’t Bang the Drum © EMI Music

Continuing to set the scene as to why Belfast is a unique music city, Kyle and guest Lowrie Robinson reflect on both Kyle and Rudi's move to England, their industry contacts, associations and stories. Also a quick look at record collectors and an introduction to a community arts project which is a good news story for Belfast ahead of International Women's Day. Did someone say Angelina Jolie? Yes, so listen now.

Episode 1 of Belfast Music City by Kyle Leitch. This episode's guests are music historian Colin Harper; music legend Brian Young, who's band Rudi recorded the classic Big Time, the first release on Good Vibrations label; and music distributor Robin Brown who worked with Kyle during the late 70s and then set up Dr Robert in Church Lane, Belfast.

An absorbing discussion about the punk era from the perspective of a stand-out band and Belfast's leading record store.

Tragically Robin Brown passed away in late 2024.

A pre-launch / test of Kyle Leitch's new music commentary series, Belfast Music City. Keep checking back for more.