Limelight (Belfast)

54.5972°N 5.9301°W / 54.5972; -5.9301

Limelight
Address17 Ormeau Ave
Belfast, Northern Ireland
OwnerMCD / Shine Productions
Capacity750
Opened1987
Website
Venue Website
Not to be confused with The Limelight.

Limelight is a live music and night club venue complex in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which initially opened in 1987. The complex, located on the city's Ormeau Avenue, consists of Limelight 1 & Limelight 2, as well as a bar called Katy's Bar. The outdoor terrace is called The Rock Garden.[1]

Limelight has strong associations with new bands, homegrown talent, and indie/rock/metal club nights.[2]

History
Indie rock band Sons and Daughters performing in 2005

Limelight nightclub and adjoining Dome bar were first opened in 1987 by Patrick Lennon, who had previously owned the Harp Bar in Hill Street, Belfast. Growing over the years, it eventually took over the adjoining building, which was a premises owned by a spring and airbrake business (hence the "Spring and Airbrake" venue name).[1]

In 2010 the then owners, CDC Leisure, went into administration.[1] In late 2011, the Limelight complex was purchased by Irish live music promoters MCD & Shine Productions.[3]

In late 2012, following a major refurbishment, the individual bars were rebranded, with the Spring and Airbrake being renamed to Limelight 1, Katy Daly's becoming Katy's Bar and the original Limelight venue becoming known as Limelight 2.[1]

Notable performances
A man plays acoustic guitar in the centre of a stage, the black back wall of which is filled with the words "Spring & Airbrake" in white lettering. A female keyboardist is behind and to the left of the man, and in the background can be seen a male bassist and a drum kit.
Sufjan Stevens performing at the Spring and Airbrake, 2005.
Green-fronted Irish pub, with "Katy Daly's" written on the hoarding above. A black-fronted door is to the right, and cars are parked on the roadway in front.
Katy Daly's in October 2010. The public entrance to The Limelight 2 is adjacent to the right.

Oasis played the venue on 4 September 1994.[4] Noel Gallagher has commented on the venue:[5]

Limelight is now part of our heritage. There was a great buzz when the owner Eamonn McCann informed me we had hit the No 1 spot that night in '94. I'll always remember this place with affection. We had a party that night and the audience joined in. That was the start of our success story.

Other bands that have performed at Limelight include

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Limelight, Belfast.
  1. Coleman, Maureen (15 September 2012). "Revamp puts Spring and Airbrake back in limelight". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  2. "Limelight". belfastmusic.org. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  3. "Belfast music venues to be bought by Shine Productions and MCD". BBC News. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  4. Beattie, Jilly (18 June 2010). "Top music clubs firm goes bust; venues carry on trading". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  5. Coleman, Maureen (16 October 2008). "Why Noel will never forget Oasis first Belfast gig". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  6. "Gigography". arctic-monkeys.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  7. "The Limelight". biffyclyro.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  8. "Blur, 6 juin 1993, The Limelight, Belfast". ticketcollector.wordpress.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  9. Kane, Rebecca (1999). "Kingdom for a Kiss – The Jeff Buckley Tourography". jeffbuckley.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  10. "22-04-91 Belfast Limelight". msppedia.org.uk. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
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