Music Unite (Shankill Road Defenders)

Music Unite (Beyond Skin; Centre for Democracy & Peacebuilding): 3-month pilot project which provided an opportunity for band members and musicians of different cultures to develop relationships, celebrate identity and perform together as well as to challenge stereotypes associated with loyalist bands.

The project included Cultural Awareness Workshops and culminated in public performances which were globally recognised, belonged to no 'one side'. 35 members of the Shankill Road Defenders took part, as well as nationalist and international musicians (Ghana, Jamaica, Kurdistan, India, Slovakia, Ireland), culminating in a performance at Belfast Culture Night.

Organisers: Beyond Skin, Shankill Road Defenders, John Higgins (musical director).

Funders (not exhaustive): TEO; CRC.

AfR Methodology: Cultural awareness workshops, post-performance dialogue sessions.

Clsoe up of a man playing pipes

Further Information

Back to: Institute of Irish Studies