Under the Drum... a new boutique music & arts festival

Under the Drum is a new boutique music and arts festival set in a beautiful and natural setting in the Antrim Hills. It features some of the best new folk, rock and pop acts from across Ireland and the UK, as well as yoga, spoken word, falconry, art markets and more. Around half an hour outside Belfast, we think there is nothing else that offers the same kind of unique experience in the area.

So why is it called ‘Under the Drum’? Well, one of the hills overlooking the site is named Drumadarragh hill, but we also liked the associations of the name. The idea of ‘peering under the lid’ of a drum, and finding all the art and talent that teems out, that we believe is especially prevalent and undervalued in the Belfast area, as well as across NI and beyond.

Under the Drum is a family run festival that has been a dream for all of us for a long time, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to the elegant surroundings of the venue. As 2024 is the inaugural year, we are keeping things intimate and fairly lowkey this year, which we hope will create a serene and welcoming atmosphere. We will welcome daytrippers as well as campers, and the entertainment will run all day and into the night. We have a great selection of local food vans as well as drinks from some NI providers too.

A big tentpole of our festival will be its sustainable approach, in-keeping with the verdant environment at the base of the Antrim hills. We aim to use as many recycled materials as possible in the creation of our festival site, and will be encouraging our guests to minimise and dispose of waste, as well as reuse all containers and cups.

As it takes place on the 28th of September, there is no better way to celebrate the end of the summer festival season than with great music, company and entertainment in a natural haven.