Atlantic Sessions showcases over 50 artists in over 30 venues throughout four days. Cafes, restaurants, hotels, pubs, coffee shops, music venues and the Town Halls across Portrush, Portstewart and Portballintrae will be lit up with gigs from the finest performers across Northern Ireland.

Audiences can follow music trails in intimate venues throughout the three resorts with a different live performance taking place every hour, and it’s all admission free.

Now in its eighth year and firmly established in the music calendar, the Causeway Coast and Glens Council event has emerged as a permanent feature on the cultural calendar and has gathered a reputation both among performers and music lovers. Live music ranges from traditional, bluegrass and americana to electronic, indie and acoustic singer-songwriters.  It offers a platform for emerging talent as well as established artists from across Northern Ireland and an opportunity to bring their music beyond urban hubs.

It has a significant role to play in developing tourism, appreciating the ongoing success stories which make us proud of our indigenous music scene and showcasing the Causeway Coast and Glens internationally. This year’s festival will coincide with the Causeway Coast and Glens Restaurant Week, a culinary celebration which includes themed nights, food tours and taster menus, using the very best of fresh local and seasonal produce, with fine wines and artisan ales.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Atlantic Sessions has established itself as one of the Borough’s premier live music events. As a tourist destination, attractions like this help us to extend our visitor season. The fantastic variety of free musical entertainment, set against our beautiful seaside locations, is a winning combination which helps to create the event’s uniquely vibrant and warm atmosphere.”

This year’s festival is programmed by Snow Water, and its Director, Carolyn Mathers commented:

“Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its talent and our artists are receiving international awards and acclaim. Atlantic Sessions will celebrate our incredible music scene, musical heritage, artistic excellence, hospitality, and with the backdrop of stunning coastal scenery and magnificent views. This year we will feature a series of new collaborations and ‘In the Round’ concerts exclusively for the Atlantic Sessions, seven of the NI Music Prize 2016 nominees, EP and Single launches, and audiences will have an opportunity to witness our finest singer-songwriters partner together in intimate environments.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Council are honoured to dedicate Atlantic Sessions 2016 to Henry McCullough. Not only was Henry an instinctive guitarist and singer-songwriter, he was also proud of his North Coast roots and passionate about helping his fellow musicians in any way he could.

Help Musicians UK, the Atlantic Sessions Headline Sponsor, commented:

“Help Musicians is proud to be a partner of the Atlantic Sessions. This marks the first launch of Help Musicians NI, the region’s own independent music charity, outside of Belfast. As our first outreach operation, this is a milestone for our 95-year-organisation and we are looking forward to supporting and embellishing the unique musical ethos and heritage of the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to tribute the incredible career of Henry McCullough, a musician the charity knew very well, and we are honoured to be part of a Festival which remembers his musical legacy.”

For further details and to book online for free events, check out www.atlanticsessions.com.

Atlantic Sessions is a Causeway Coast and Glens Funded Event, programmed by Snow Water and sponsored by Help Musicians NI.