With just four weeks to go until the return of the mighty AVA Festival, we can reveal the programming for the opening event at and afterparties across various venues for each night. 

On Thursday evening at industrial hangout Banana Block (Portview Trade Centre) there will be a free entry opening event which will include hot topic panel talks with figures from the local and international music scene, a live interview with Palestinian DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi and Gemma Bradley of the BBC, an interactive DJ workshop hosted by Resident Advisor and an instore event at Belfast’s revered new record store Sound Advice. Fresh off the back of AVA’s flagship conference in London the festival and talks series returns to Belfast with a focus on supporting independent homegrown music, arts and local scenes. This will be the perfect way to warm up for the weekender ahead, plus will provide opportunities for networking. 

After parties will take place across three of Belfast’s leading music institutions: Banana Block, Ulster Sports Club and Thompson’s Garage. The afterparties programme includes: Prospa, Skin On Skin, Crazy P, Cromby, Bklava, Carlton Doom, Dart, Schmutz, Cyence, Nikki O, Kyso Sound, Jerry’s Stolen Goods, Hijaxx, Nu Jamz, Crisco, Cabal, Moodtrax, Korova, Famoc, Bekuz x Influx, Away From Dave and Kem.

Tickets are available here.