Playing the open day on Saturday 5 May, the Snow Patrol frontman opened up with a new song, written backstage half an hour previously.
To help with ‘Some Surprise’ (from The Cake Sale album) and a magnificent ‘Set The Fire To The Third Bar’, he was joined onstage by Lisa Hannigan, who had previously been Damien Rice's music partner.
To round his set off, Lightbody called up Guy Garvey from Elbow for a fun “alt country” run through of ‘Teenage Kicks’ that has everyone in the place singing along. Which is apt – given, of course, that it’s a national anthem of sorts.
Also playing at the launch of the music hub, where actor James Nesbitt was among those checking out its facilities, were Belfast-resident James Walsh of Starsailor, Duke Special, Jetplane Landing, The Fools (nee Pat And Nipsy) and Burning Codes.
For a full report on the day, see the next issue of Hot Press, out on May 17.