Belfast's Summer Soundwave: Tom Jones, CMAT & Faithless Rock CHSQ!

Belfast is getting ready for an exciting summer of music, as some of the biggest names in the industry are set to perform at Custom House Square. The series of concerts will kick off on August 8 and continue until September 1, bringing a variety of musical styles and artists to the city. Among the headline acts are the legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones, the rising Irish country-pop star CMAT, and the iconic British dance group Faithless. These artists are expected to draw large crowds, and music fans are already buzzing with anticipation. Last year, the event featured popular acts like Kingfishr, Ben Nicky, Stiff Little Fingers, Amble, David Gray, and Chase and Status, making it one of the highlights of the Belfast summer.

Tom Jones is a name that almost everyone knows. With a career that has lasted more than sixty years, he has become one of the most respected and successful singers in the world. Now 85 years old, Tom Jones has sold over 100 million records and is famous for hit songs like 'It's Not Unusual', 'Delilah', and 'Green, Green Grass of Home'. He grew up in Pontypridd, South Wales, and left school early to work different jobs. But his love for music led him to join a local band, and later he formed his own group, Tom Jones and the Squires. They played in clubs and pubs around the area, and eventually, Tom moved to London, where he signed with Decca Records. This was the start of his amazing career, and he has been entertaining audiences ever since.

CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, is an Irish singer-songwriter who has quickly become known for her unique country-pop sound. She began her career in Dublin, moved to England for a while, and then returned to Dublin to focus on her music. Her first album, 'If My Wife New I'd Be Dead', was released in 2022, and her second album, 'Crazymad, For Me', came out in 2023. CMAT is known for her catchy songs like 'When A Good Man Cries', 'Stay For Something', and 'The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station'. Her energetic performances and creative style have won her many fans, and she is expected to put on a great show in Belfast.

Faithless is a British dance music group that was formed in 1995. They became famous for their powerful live shows and for being pioneers of stadium dance music. Faithless has played at some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Glastonbury, where they performed on the famous Pyramid Stage in 2002. Their lead singer, Maxi Jazz, was known for his unique voice and stage presence. Faithless had several big hits, including 'We Come 1', which reached the top three in the charts in 2001, and 'Insomnia', which was a huge dance hit in 1996. The band split up in 2011 but made a comeback almost ten years later with a new album, although Maxi Jazz was not part of the group at that time.

In addition to these headliners, the Custom House Square concerts will feature other well-known artists such as Lush Classical, Ben Hemsley, Foy Vance, The Proclaimers, Stiff Little Fingers, Wunderhorse, Idles, and Wolf Alice. The event promises to be a celebration of music, bringing together fans of all ages and musical tastes. With so many talented performers on the lineup, Belfast is set for a summer to remember. Whether you love classic hits, country-pop, or dance music, there will be something for everyone at Custom House Square this year.