INDEPENDENT Belfast record label Zenith Café has held its first anniversary at London’s Gibson Garage.
Headlining the evening were two of Northern Ireland’s most compelling singer-songwriters, Gareth Dunlop and Nathan O’Regan, alongside rising folk-pop artist Danny Addison — a recent addition to the Zenith roster.
Gareth DunlopLabel co-founders Sophie Turner and Laura Nowicka opened proceedings with a quick resumé, before handing the spotlight to Gareth Dunlop. Fresh from a nomination for Album of the Year at the Northern Ireland Music Awards for his 2024 release Welcome To The House Of I Don’t Know, Dunlop delivered stripped-back versions of his signature songs. Backed by rich vocal harmonies, tracks such as Church and Go Down Swinging showcased his emotive songwriting, culminating in a rousing rendition of All We’ll Ever Need.
He was followed by Manchester-born, Belfast-based newcomer Danny Addison, whose recent single Pheromone has garnered early acclaim. Performing with quiet intensity, Addison captivated the room with unreleased songs Back To You and Tribe, hinting at a promising debut project in the works.
Nathan O'ReganClosing the night was Zenith stalwart Nathan O’Regan, whose mix of soul, charm, and storytelling proved a hit with the crowd. From the reflective Better Days to the poignant Baby Steps — a tender ode to fatherhood — and finally Family No.2, a tribute to the creative kinship at the heart of Zenith, O’Regan’s set brought the evening to a heartfelt conclusion.
With a growing roster, international touring plans, and a track record in sync and artist development, Zenith Cafe is carving out a distinct space in the independent music landscape.
