Atlantic Sessions

Across four days each November, the seaside towns of Portstewart and Portrush become a network of small stages, with performances spread through pubs, hotels, coffee shops, town halls and restaurants rather than a single fenced site. Most of the roughly forty gigs are free to attend, organised as music trails you follow on foot between venues, with a handful of ticketed headline shows and curated premieres alongside them. The programming leans heavily on Northern Irish musicians and ranges across traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass, americana, indie, acoustic singer-songwriters and some electronic acts. The mood is unhurried and rooted in the towns themselves, with the off-season coastal setting giving it a quieter, more local feel than a summer event. It tends to suit those who like wandering between intimate venues and discovering new acts without the commitment of a ticketed campsite weekend.