Music stars to shine bright at Meteor awards

Seán McCárthaigh

Comedian Ed Byrne has been lined up to present the fifth staging of Ireland’s premier music awards ceremony which will take place at the Point Theatre on February 24.

A host of leading Irish and international solo artists and groups are also expected to perform live at the star-studded event.

A total of 16 different awards will be presented this year with Snow Patrol, Brian McFadden, Scissor Sisters and Franz Ferdinand among the favourites to pick up a few gongs.

Former Westlife star Brian McFadden, who has been garnering as many headlines about his private life as for his music, is nominated for two categories.

However, McFadden faces strong competition from his former Westlife colleagues as well as Ronan Keating, The Corrs, D-Side and Carol Anthony for the title of Best Irish Pop Act.

Members of the public will be entitled to vote for short-listed nominees in five separate categories: Best Irish DJ, Best Irish Band, Best Irish Male, Best Irish Female and Best Irish Pop Act.

Among those hoping to repeat their success of in the 2004 awards list are The Frames, Westlife, The Thrills, Paddy Casey, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ryan Tubridy.

Voting will be live from tomorrow with fans able to vote for their favourite act by texting “VOTE” to 53500 or voting online by accessing the website: www.meteor.ie.

Listeners to 2FM will select the Hope for 2005 Award which is presented to the act deemed the most promising rising star in the Irish musical industry.

Adi Roche has already been chosen as this year’s winner of the Humanitarian Award for her tireless work with children through her charity, the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

She will also be presented with a cheque for 100,000 at the awards ceremony.

Previous winners of this special category have included Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Elton John, Christina Nobel and Bono.

Tickets for the 2005 Meteor Ireland Music Awards priced at 30 will go on sale at the usual outlets later this month.