Joshua Burnside

Joshua Burnside makes beautifully haunting music, what one reviewer described as “songs that feel both rooted in tradition and radically experimental.” The Belfast musician and singer has been honing his craft for over a decade, crafting powerful songs that incorporate a myriad of influences stitched together by the thread of Irish tradition.

His hometown of Belfast is central to his music. He told the Irish magazine The Thin Air: “I think if you want to give the listener an honest insight into your world, to your life, then how could you not bring a sense of place into it?…to generate a sense of community and togetherness, people need to see themselves and their homelands reflected in art and music.”

Burnside’s records have featured dense and layered textures – like a musical magpie he plucked a variety of sounds to unpin his songs. His 2026 release, the widely praised It’s Not Going to be Okay, sees a shift to a more stripped down approach with this moving meditation on grief following the sudden death of his best friend.

Joshua Burnside – vocals and guitar, Dan Byrne McCullough – backing vox and electric guitar, Zarah Byrne-McCullough – backing vox and cello

SATURDAY 2:20 – 3:30pm South Stage
SUNDAY 12:20 – 1:35pm Trad-ically Hip Main Stage