Stellar line-up at awards night reveals brightest stars of Irish music
Yet last night’s line-up, including stellar performers such as Villagers, Bell X1 and Little Green Cars, almost made it seem easy.
They joined a further four nominated Irish acts; Lisa O’Neill, O Emperor, Mano Le Tough and Girls Names, for what was probably the best instalment yet of Meteor’s annual Choice Music Prize.
The remaining three nominees were My Bloody Valentine, And So I Watch You From Afar and indie rockers Kodaline who are currently touring the States.
The award for Best Irish Song, which was entirely based on public vote, went to Original Rude Boys for their track ‘Never Gonna Walk Away’.
In the biggest surprise of the night, the Dublin trio beat off stiff competition from the other nominees, most notably Hozier and Villagers, to scoop the award.
Established in 2005, and initially modelled on the UK’s Mercury Prize, the event aims to highlight the best of Irish music and showcase their considerable talent to media and music industry professionals.
It is Ireland’s foremost award in the world of music and brings with it not just a €10,000 cash prize, but exposure to movers and shakers in the industry outside of Irish shores, particularly through the attendance of several promoters based in Britain.
The event was broadcast live on the Paul McLoone show on TodayFM and covered by an Irish Examiner live blog — exa.mn/268 RTE 2 will broadcast a special one hour highlights show on Sunday at 10.30pm.
