King’s Hall

This is an events facility which hosts festivals, gigs, exhibitions, conferences, sporting event, theme parks etc…
It is definitely a place in the city with plenty of space to play with. It isn’t as fancy as it used to be. I recall Garth Brooks played here among others. Its sad because so many greats have played here. In recent history it has lost its appeal for concerts, thanks Oddysey. Now it mainly hosts the Balmoral show and other exhibitions…
A favorite that is coming up in a couple of weeks is ‘Oktoberfest’ where german beer is the only rule.

I’ve been to a few concerts here in the last few years, and the last one I was at will be the last time I darken the doors of this place.
I finally had the chance to see a band that I had grown up listening to, and had spent my teens idolising. From word go, all I could hear was a roaring wall of baffling noise, and I knew right away that it was going to be a disaster. Not only were the acoustics rubbish, but whoever had set up the stage for the band had had the bright idea of putting lights behind them, facing out, so we couldn’t see them either.
I suppose it was no real surprise when the notoriously arrogant frontman got annoyed and started playing twenty minute guitar solos. But I had already left at this point.
So, I still haven’t seen Smashing Pumpkins, despite spending thirty-​odd quid on a ticket. Thanks for nothing, King’s Hall.

Whenever a travelling theme park, such as Funworld or Funderland (terrible names) came here I loved it. I was a kid and it was nosey and filled with things to help me be sick. But as an adult I experienced one of the most miserable nights of my life here. A band I love, Queens of the Stoneage were playing here and I had been waiting for this gig for an age.
On the night I discovered that this big giant tin shack really doesn’t make for a pleasant musical experience. The acoustics were just bloody awful, I could barely hear a thing (and I would like to proclaim now, that I’m not in any way ‘informed’, whatever this means). The rest of the crowd seemed to share my feelings with their grumbles an moans all night long. Terrible.

This place is a bit of a landmark in Belfast and has pretty shocking reviews from everyone but me.
Everyone always complains that the sound is bad in here but I saw QOTSA in here and they rocked the place. I had no complaints about the sound whatsoever. I think that people just say that to sound like they’re informed. I have been here lots of times and never had a bad experience.
Its easy to get to, clean, tidy and there is good parking all around. What more can you ask for from a venue?

Wah hey… you’ve landed, you’ve arrived at your band of choice and I’m sure you’re dying to see them perform… unfortunately they’ve been booked at the King’s Hall.
I’d like to think I’ve got a good ear in regards to what sounds good and what doesn’t, that said you do not need to have a penchant for all things aural when you arrive here… it is, without doubt the worst place to see a band in Belfast, and I’ll explain why.
I’ve been going to see live music since I was six (actually I was in utero at Springsteen in Slane’s Castle and that may be the reason why the boss still lives strong in my music collection) and since then I’ve been to just about every large and small gig venue from Belfast to Derry to Dublin.
The problem with the King’s Hall (what an overtly grandiose name) is that it was and never will be designed for live music. It’s a glorified shed, designed for cattle and the like.
Case in point, The Smashing Pumpkins a year or two ago (why am I vague? because it was the world’s most forgettable gig). I was standing at the back, then moved to the middle and then to the side… every time, awful. It’s the gaunt, distant echo all sound makes as it travels up from the distant stage. I’ve been a pumpkins fan for a long time, on and off but I couldn’t recognise one song from the next… echo-​tastic.
I really empathise with international acts who book here not knowing, it is truly embarrassing.

I hate this place as a music venue. For a long time it was about the only venue in Belfast that was big enough to stage massive acts (I myself saw Boyzone there back in the day. Supported by a young Peter Andre no less!), but now that there’s the Odyssey to attract the Kylies and Beyonces and all the big stadium acts, I fail to see where the King’s Hall fits in. It’s too small in some ways and far too big in others.
When the Ulster Hall was closed for its big renovation, the King’s Hall saw quite a bit of action and I went to see Queen’s of the Stone Age.
It. Was. Awful.
Nothing to do with the band (they were great. Fantastic even), nothing to do with the company (I took my then-​boyfriend as a birthday present), everything to do with the venue.
The best way I can describe it is to tell you to imagine you were going to a concert inside a giant tin of baked beans. Can you imagine the sound bouncing around? Imagine how cold it would get since there’s so much air getting in? Imagine the smell of baked beans? (Ok, I made the last one up, but you get the point)
The King’s Hall is useful for trade shows and the Balmoral Show that’s held there every year is always successful and probably perfect for the King’s Hall, but as a music venue? Two thumbs down and a sad smiley from me I’m afraid.

I was recently at the King’s Hall’s outdoor venue to see Pink in concert and I have to say that the venue was fabulous. I expected us to be packed like sardines but this wasn’t the case at all and with burger vans and candy stalls (and clean toilet cubicles!) a short walk away, it proved to be a really great night out. When the Odyssey came, everyone in Belfast thought that the King’s Hall would be no more yet it has actually proved a million times better than the Odyssey as a venue for concerts. It has a personality and a history that the blue dome down by the river just can’t compete with. A whopping 5 stars.

Yes, I know this is a tour, and it was only in Belfast for one night, but I felt it deserved a few comments because it was by far and away the most fantastic concert I’ve been to. I thought Pink did the most fantastic job, not only is she the most fabulous vocalist, but this tour showcased her dancing, songwriting, performing, and yes, acrobatic skills to thier most potential. The concert was held outdoors in the back lot of the King’s Hall, and that is one downside, the traffic was APPALLING — but the concert organisers can’t be held responsible for the state of the roads in and around the arena, but what they should have been responsible for was the shocking state of the portaloos — I’m not a Princess, I KNOW portaloos aren’t supposed to be glamorous or even comfortable, but they were stinking — and they’d only been there a few hours it was like the end of a full weekend in Glastonbury — ugh. Anyway that was the only downside, there were plenty of eateries, a fun fair, an extensive bar area, and the place was well supervised and the screens were great if you couldn’t get up close. Good outdoor venue, but the concert made it perfect.

The Kings Hall is a brilliant place for concerts, exhibitions and displays. I have been to the Kings Hall many times for a charity concert once to a huge comic-​con event for comic book fans. These sort of events are always fun. There was recently a Star Wars event with all sorts of wonderful stalls and displays from the world of Star Wars and people dressed up as the different characters. Of course, you don’t have to dress up to go to these and enjoy yourself, it’s a really fun thing to see. It is quite a big Hall and the concerts are brilliant in here, very loud and usually very good.

This place is huge and the events are always well hosted. The baby show and wedding show are both worth going to and the balmoral show is great for kids.

Huge complex with a number of venues within it, one of which held this year’s Children in Need concert for Belfast