New York, NY June 13, 2023. “Belfast’s heart beats fervidly with music; it is in our DNA”, says Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody on Belfast’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music. Northern Ireland’s capital was awarded the accolade due to its “rich musical heritage” in 2021. One of the highlights of that rich heritage was ‘Good Vibrations’ and the hit musical of the same name premiers on June 14 at the Irish Arts Center in New York and runs through July 19.

The punk rock show, based on the award-winning movie released in 2013, will bring audiences back to the “music and rebellion of 1970s Belfast”.

Based on the BAFTA-nominated film by Glenn Patterson and Colin Carberry, Good Vibrations chronicles the story of Terri Hooley, a radical, rebel, and music-lover in 1970s Belfast. When the Troubles shut down his city and his friends take sides, Terri opens a record shop and becomes the unlikely leader of a motley band of kids who join his mission to create a new community, an alternative Ulster, and bring his hometown back to life.

This thrilling new musical features a cast of twelve and a bounty of anthems from Northern Ireland’s punk era, including the Undertones’ “Teenage Kicks,” the Outcasts’ “Just Another Teenage Rebel,” and Stiff Little Fingers’ “Alternative Ulster.”

The show charts the story of the beloved ‘Good Vibrations’ record store, which acted as a musical escape for many living through difficult times in 1970’s Belfast. The story follows real-life radical, rebel, and music-lover Terri Hooley, who opened the record shop – an oasis of creativity and a bastion of hope.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Executive Vice President, North America and Australia/NZ, said, “Good Vibrations and similar cultural offerings have a wonderful message to share about the unique nature of what visitors can expect when they visit Belfast. As well as the warmest of welcomes, they will find a city brimming with culture and ready to entertain you. From Titanic Belfast to Cave Hill and City Hall, and from the Cathedral Quarter to Queens University – Belfast is a proud and vibrant city with lots of great attractions to offer.”

Ms. Metcalfe continued, “But it’s through music that Belfast offers the greatest insight into what makes it tick. The UNESCO City of Music accolade is richly deserved and has brought to the fore the true soul of the city. A giant, embracive and creative spirit that will be on show through the wonderful Good Vibrations show, produced by The Lyric Belfast.”

“Glorious … The full-throated spirit of punk is alive and roaring”—IRISH TIMES

Interview with Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer.

And, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Northern Ireland, be sure to sign up for this Belfast punk music walking tour where you’ll see legendary sites in the 1970s punk story, including where the Good Vibrations record shop first opened, and where the Harp Bar and The Pound stood. You will also visit the city’s music hub, the Oh Yeah Music Centre, for a look around the fascinating punk memorabilia and artefacts on display. You’ll hear about punk collectives in Belfast from the 1980s to now, including Warzone and Giro’s. Your guide, Dolores Vischer, will paint a picture of a night out in Hill Street back in 1979, sharing her own personal stories of punk gigs back then – as well as introducing you to a few of the excellent punk bands performing today.

A soundtrack of punk music will be played at each stop, including ‘70s tracks by Rudi, The Outcasts, Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones and more, as well as tracks by contemporary punk-linked bands such as Wood Burning Savages, Problem Patterns, Tramp and Cherym.

This fun tour offers a great opportunity to see many of the places in Belfast where the action took place, with music and eyewitness stories of punk bands then and now along the way.

Location

Irish Arts Center 
726 11th Avenue 
Hell’s Kitchen, NYC

Date(s)

Jun 14, 2023 – Jul 16, 2023

Showtimes
Tue-Wed | 7:30pm
Thu-Fri | 8pm
Sat | 2pm and 8pm
Sun | 2pm

Details

$25 and up

2 hours, 30 minutes

Box Office

888-616-0274
boxoffice@irishartscenter.org

Phone hours:
10am-6pm, Monday-Friday

In person:
Opens 60 minutes before the performance on show days