• One of These Albums Will Win The NI Music Prize Tonight

    November 12, 2020 - By 

    Much like the RTÉ Choice Music Prize every year, the annual Northern Ireland Music Prize is almost always too close to call. This year is no different. Going online for the first time due to social distancing restrictions, this year’s shortlist is a luminous, no-filler reflection of the state of independent music in the North right now. From the Americana-tinged alt-folk of Mark McCambridge aka Arborist to the considered electronica of Phil Kieran; the shapeshifting indie rock of Belfast threesome Careerist, to the ruminative pop of Kitt Philippa, it’s a list that also features stellar albums from Our Krypton Son, Herb…

  • NI Music Prize 2019 – Best Live Act and Best Single (Public Vote)

    September 9, 2019 - By 

    We’re pleased to team up with the Northern Ireland Music Prize to host the public vote for the Best Live Act and Best Single awards at this year’s event. Taking place at Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on Thursday, November 7th, this year’s prize will see the return of four individual awards: the aforementioned Best Live Act and Best Single awards, as well as the Oh Yeah Contender award and the main Best Album prize. Nominators chosen from sectors including music journalism, radio, podcasts, blogs, festival and event programmers, music retail, promoters, live music venues, as well as key influencers from elsewhere in the arts, were…

  • NI Music Prize Line-Up Announced

    September 20, 2018 - By 

    The nominated artists set to play this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize have been announced. Previous winner Ciaran Lavery, Brand New Friend, The Wood Burning Savages, Hannah Peel, Ryan Vail (featuring the Arco String Quartet) and Roe will perform at the event, which takes place at Belfast’s Ulster Hall on Thursday, November 11. The event host is Rigsy (BBC Radio Ulster), with the winners of all four categories to be announced by special guests on the night. The evening will end with an after party at Limelight 2. Charlotte Dryden of Oh Yeah said: “After five fantastic years at the…

  • NI Music Prize – Best Single (Public Vote)

    September 11, 2018 - By 

    Set to take place at Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on Thursday, November 15, we’re pleased to team up with the Northern Ireland Music Prize for the Public Vote for the Best Single award. This year, twelve singles – from Arvo Party’s ‘Liberté’ to The Wood Burning Savages’ ‘I Don’t Know Why I Do It To Myself’ – are vying for the prize and £1000 on the night. Check out the full list of shortlisted singles and the voting form below. Go here for full information about this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize. Arvo Party – Liberté Ash – Buzzkill Brand New Friend…

  • Shortlists Revealed for Northern Ireland Music Prize 2018

    September 10, 2018 - By 

    The shortlists for this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize has been announced. Set to take place in Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on November 15, the event – which is now in its sixth year – returns with three categories that formed part of the first NI Music Awards back in 2011: Best Live, Best Single and the Oh Yeah Contender Awards for best emerging act. Over 80 industry and media cast their vote for all four categories over the last few months. The winners of each category will be awarded a cash prize. Best Single, Best Live Act and Oh Yeah…

  • Playlist: Northern Ireland Music Prize 2016

    November 8, 2016 - By 

    On Friday, November 11, 12 Northern Irish acts will vie to be awarded this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize, essentially the Northern equivalent of the Choice Music Prize. With Downpatrick’s Ash set to received the Oh Yeah Legend Award – before playing their 1977 album in full –  shortlisted acts PORTS, Jealous of the Birds and Girls Names will also be performing on the night. Ahead of the event, we’ve compiled a Spotify playlist tracks from the 12 nominated acts, including Documenta, exmagician, Ciaran Lavery and more.

  • Shortlist Revealed for Northern Ireland Music Prize 2015

    September 14, 2015 - By 

    Having previously been scooped by Foy Vance and Robyn G Shiels, the shortlist for this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize has been revealed. Set to take place at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Friday, November 14, the following twelve albums will vie for the annual prize, as voted for by more than 70 people from the Northern Irish music industry and media: A Plastic Rose – Flickering Light of an Inner War And So I Watch You From Afar – Heirs Axis Of – The Mid Brae Inn BeeMickSee – Belfast Yank Ciaran Lavery and Ryan Vail – Sea Legs Duke Special – Look Out Machines The Lost…

  • Playlist: Northern Ireland Music Prize 2014

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    A year on from Foy Vance walking away with the inaugural album award, this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize will take place at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Saturday night. Culminating in Northern Ireland alt-rock legends Therapy? (above) performing their landmark 1994 album Troublegum in full, the ceremony will see twelve of the North’s finest acts – from the quaintest to the downright behemothic – compete for the prize. Go here to buy tickets to the ceremony – also featuring performances by Robyn G Shiels, Sullivan & Gold and More Than Conquerors – and stream our Northern Ireland Music Prize playlist via Spotify…

  • Shortlist revealed for Northern Irish Music Prize 2014

    September 29, 2014 - By 

    With Bangor singer-songwriter Foy Vance having scooped the inaugural award last year, the twelve-act shortlist for this year’s Northern Irish Music Prize has been revealed. Recognising the very best albums released in the last twelve months by a Northern Irish act, this year’s ceremony will see Belfast-based singer-songwriter Robyn G Shiels (above), alt-rock heroes Mojo Fury, the Smalltown America-signed More Than Conquerors, Derry indie-pop quartet Wonder Villains, transatlantic indie-rap duo Malibu Shark Attack, singer-songwriter Tony Wright AKA VerseChorusVerse, electro-pop band Ed Zealous, Nathan Connolly’s Little Matador, singer-songwriter duo Sullivan and Gold, Dungannon folk songstress Alana Henderson, Belfast doom masters Slomatics and multi-instrumentalist Peter McCauley AKA Rams Pocket Radio vie for prize. The shortlist was compiled…