Belfast‑based singer‑songwriter Burnside’s music blurs the boundaries between traditional folk and modern experimentation. Drawing on Irish and Scottish folk, Americana and subtle electronic textures, his songs are rich with atmosphere, poetic detail and emotional depth. He weaves banjo, guitar, found sounds and looping textures into music that captures ancient and strikingly contemporary vibes. Burnside’s 2026 album It’s Not Going to be Okay represents an evolution in his style, as he grapples with loss and grief triggered by a friend’s untimely death in 2024. He underpins that heartfelt, vulnerable exploration with more spare and minimalist production. He says of the stripped-down sound; “Grief has always been a big part of my music; it’s the reason I started writing songs when I was 13. I didn’t want to rely on weird sounds or quirky production – I wanted the songs to stand on their own two feet, and the lyrics to be the focus.” Live, his performances move fluidly between hushed intimacy and expansive, layered soundscapes, with a quiet intensity that pulls listeners in. This is folk music that feels handmade, restless and deeply alive, delivered with a presence that is as magnetic as it is understated. - Shereen Samuels