Irish album of the year nominees revealed: 10 records in running for Choice Prize
Some of the Choice Music Prize Album of the Year nominees, clockwise: Dermot Kennedy, CMAT, Fontaines DC.
The year 2022 was a bumper period for new Irish music as artists began recovering and returning from the Covid-19 crisis - and that's reflected in an eclectic shortlist of nominations for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Album of the Year. Announced on Monday by RTÉ 2FM DJ Tracy Clifford, it includes established names such as Dermot Kennedy and Fontaines DC, as well as emerging artists like Dundalk balladeers The Mary Wallopers, and Dublin country queen CMAT.
The winner will be announced live from a show at Vicar St on Thursday, March 9. The winning AOTY act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). All shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award.
- Anna Mieke - Theatre (Anna Mieke under license to Nettwerk Music Group)
- Aoife Nessa Frances - Protector (Partisan Records)
- CMAT - If My Wife New I’d Be Dead (CMATBABY)
- Dermot Kennedy - Sonder (Island)
- Fontaines D.C. - Skinty Fia (Partisan Records)
- Just Mustard - Heart Under (Partisan Records)
- Pillow Queens - Leave the Light On (Royal Mountain Records)
- Sorcha Richardson - Smiling Like An Idiot (Faction Records)
- The Mary Wallopers - The Mary Wallopers (The Mary Wallopers)
- Thumper - Delusions of Grandeur (Eva Magical Music Sounds)
More details on other categories of the annual awards ceremony are also due to announce this week, including three new categories:
- Irish Artist of the Year - shortlist Tuesday 10th January
- Irish Breakthrough Artist – shortlist Wednesday 11th January
- Classic Irish Album – further details Thursday 12th January
- Irish Song of the Year - shortlist Friday 13th January
- More information on current nominees and former winners is available at http://www.choicemusicprize.ie/
