Live Review + Gallery | The Paper Kites @ The Limelight, Belfast

The Paper Kites

Limelight, Belfast

17th February 2026

Photography By Chea McArdle

Chea McArdle

Hi my name is Chea and I dove into the world of band photography midway through 2023. I was really involved in the amazing music scene at uni in Falmouth, making friends with lots of super talented people. After uni I really wanted to explore the vibrant music scene within Belfast and used this creative drive to begin my exploration into the local scene and further my photography.
Im hoping to continue my photography journey further and capture many more great moments with many wonderful people!

The Paper Kites kick off their tour in Belfast with a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a shared exhale

Melbourne indie rock/folk rock band The Paper Kites kicked off the tour for their new album ‘If You Go There, I Hope You Find It’ at The Limelight in Belfast. The venue filled with a wonderfully mixed crowd of all ages, each face eagerly looking towards the dimly lit stage as they awaited the performance.

As the stage lights turned on, the 5-piece band stood still, close together. They let the warm amber lighting billow in from behind, encasing them, leaving only their shadowed figures to be witnessed. From within the rays of light the band began with their track ‘Morning Gum’: a strong showcase of their powerful song writing and delightfully soft yet intricate harmonies.

The soft, flowing melodies swept across the crowd, immediately drawing the attention of everyone there, laying the groundwork for the intimate and spellbinding showcase of what was to to follow.

Between songs, the band balanced a commanding silence, where you could hear a pin drop, and gentle humour that added to the evening’s charm. The band felt deeply connected to the audience throughout the whole set, furthered when lead vocalist Sam Bentley gave a short quip that his mother grew up in a nearby town to Belfast, a personal nod to an already intimate show.

Washes of warm amber and faint rainbow light filtered through the faces of the crowd as fans attentively listened to every delicate guitar line and breathy vocal nuance; the audience was deeply connected with the band and their immersive soundscape. Highlights for me were when opener, Bess Atwell joined for guest vocals on a duet of ’Dearest’ and each time the band stood side-by-side around a singular mic to deliver a raw and evocative experience with the audience.

Overall, the Belfast show was a memorable night of tender melodies, warmth, and quiet swells that left the crowd buzzing long after the final chord. The Paper Kites delivered a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a shared exhale.