In a landscape defined by political sensitivity and institutional caution, how can we move beyond the so-called culture wars to embrace an ethos of courageous advocacy—rooted in radical kindness and a fierce commitment to human rights?
Join us for an open and challenging discussion on the tightening grip of risk aversion, political intervention, and the rising threat of harassment facing artists in Northern Ireland and beyond.
In a panel chaired by Stuart Bailie, We’re bringing together special guests from across the NI Arts & Culture sector to tackle the uncomfortable truths about censorship, political interference, and the challenges behind creative resistance in 2026.
Don’t miss this vital conversation on solidarity, solutions, and the future of creative freedom.
About The Panel:
Stuart Bailie is a Belfast-based music journalist and author who has been active in the music industry for 40 years. His work has appeared in NME, Mojo, Uncut, Q, Vox, Classic Rock, Hot Press, and The Irish Times. His previous books include Trouble Songs: Music and Conflict in Northern Ireland (2018), Terri Hooley: Seventy-Five Revolutions (2023), 75 Van Songs (2020), and The Ballad of the Thin Man: The Authorised Biography of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy (1997). Bailie also wrote and narrated the BBC documentary So Hard to Beat (2007), co-founded the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast, and served as its CEO from 2008 to 2016. He currently edits Dig With It, a publication celebrating music, arts, and counterculture in Northern Ireland.
Alice Adams Lemon is the Northern Ireland Official for Equity, the UK trade union representing around 50,000 performers and creative practitioners. In this position she advocates for the rights, safety, fair pay, and working conditions of creative professionals living and working across Northern Ireland and for individual Equity UK members when working in the Republic of Ireland. She leads Equity NI’s Resist the Cuts campaign, mobilising public and government support for arts funding, and champions the Safe Home initiative to ensure performer safety during late-night shifts. Her work includes delivering services for artists, organising for trade union activism, negotiating trade union agreements and fighting for contract fairness, fair pay, safe working environments, and recognition of the cultural value of the arts. She is the Chair of the NI Irish Congress of Trade Unions Arts and Culture Committee.
Kevin Gamble is CEO of Féile an Phobail, Ireland’s Biggest Community Arts Festival, and a prominent figure in community development, arts, and tourism. With over 15 years of experience in strategic management and an Executive MBA, he was named the 2022 Aisling Awards Person of the Year. Kevin has over 15 years experience in Strategic Management, Business Planning, Community Engagement, Funding and Sponsorship, Marketing and PR, and holds senior positions on various boards, including: Belfast Taxis CIC, South Antrim GAA, Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation, Fáilte Feirste Thiar, Antrim GAA, Brassneck Theatre Company, Belfast Taxis and Coaches CIC, and West Belfast Partnership Board.
Ruth McCarthy is Artistic Director of Outburst Arts and Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, producing, commissioning and curating cutting-edge arts events that explore gender and sexuality through a broad intersectional lens. A former TV and radio producer, she’s been a curator and cultural activist for three decades, from grassroots queer club promotion and queerzines in the 90s to the co-production of award-winning new works like Abomination, A DUP Opera with The Belfast Ensemble. With a special interest in the social justice impacts of risk-taking art, particularly beyond mainstream institutional and EDI approaches, she has worked with artists, collaborators and activists from over thirty countries worldwide.
Kwame Daniels is a vinyl loving DJ, Broadcaster & Creative at heart. His collabs include working alongside the likes of Grammy Winning multi-instrumentalist Kaidi Tatham to Emmy nominee and Ivor Novello Winner, Hannah Peel. As an individual artist, to working in partnership with organisations within the public, private and community sectors, as founder of Bounce Culture, Kwame has curated, produced, directed, and hosted events including projects with BBC and MTV, impacting over 500,000 attendees across U.K, Ireland, USA, Europe and Africa. Spanning over 25 years, Kwame has amassed vast experience working in partnership with organisations within the public, private and community sectors, enabling self-expression through music to drive cultural understanding and build community around the world.
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