Limelight in Belfast, Northern Ireland is mid-sized live music and night club venue complex, which initially opened in 1987. The complex 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. Limelight has strong associations with new bands, homegrown talent, and indie/rock/metal club nights.

History

Limelight nightclub and adjoining Dome bar were first opened in 1987 by Patrick Lennon who had previously owned the Harp Bar based 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). In 2010 then owners, CDC Leisure, went into administration. In late 2011, the Limelight complex was purchased by Irish live music promoters MCD & Shine Productions. 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.

Notable performances

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played the venue on 4 September 1994, Noel Gallagher has commented on the venue:

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 *

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* Arctic Monkeys * Ash * Biffy Clyro * Blur *

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* Jeff Buckley
The Cheese Junkies
* The Dillinger Escape Plan * Dinosaur Jr. *

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* DragonForce *

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* Echo and the Bunnymen *

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* Fantômas * Feeder * Franz Ferdinand * Guided by Voices * David Gray * Interpol * Mick Jones * Kaiser Chiefs * The Libertines * Lotion * Shane MacGowan * Soulfly * Manic Street Preachers * Maxïmo Park *

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* Mogwai *

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* New Found Glory *

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* Paolo Nutini * Pavement * Pop Will Eat Itself * Placebo *

Primal Scream Primal Scream are a Scottish rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie (vocals) and Jim Beattie. The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes (guitar), Simone Butler (bass), and Darrin Mooney (drums) ...

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* The Courteeners * The Streets * The Strokes * Joe Strummer * Tangerine Dream * Th' Faith Healers * Tomohawk * The Twilight Singers * Therapy? * Trivium * Paul Weller *

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* Black Grape * Public Enemy *

Johnny Marr Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher, 31 October 1963) is an English musician, songwriter and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has since performed with numerous ...

* The Undertones *

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Limelight Nightclubs in Belfast Music venues in Belfast