The shortlist for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize was announced on Wednesday. Featuring the ten Irish artists nominated for the album of the year 2020, it’s a strong and diverse list. The artists nominated for the all-Ireland range from 2020’s rising star Denise Chaila to Fontaines D. C. and more.
Bitch Falcon – Staring at Clocks (Small Pond Recordings)
Denise Chaila – Go Bravely (narolane)
Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death (Partisan Records)
JyellowL – 2020 DIvision (JyellowL Records)
Róisín Murphy – Róisín Machine (Loaded Records)
Nealo – All The Leaves Are Falling (2020 Nealo)
Pillow Queens – In Waiting (Pillow Queens Records)
Ailbhe Reddy – Personal History (Friends of the Family)
Niamh Regan – Hemet (The Black Gate Label)
Silverbacks – Fad (Central Tones)
There’s no denying the strength of the wonderful albums on the shortlist, with a close race for the prize. While there will always be omissions, there is some disappointment that Northern Irish artists have been overlooked. While there is the separate NI Music Prize every year, the Choice Music Prize covers the whole island, but only a handful of Northern Irish artists have found their way onto the shortlist, including SOAK last year.
The Irish album of the year will be announced on RTÉ 2FM on Thursday 4th March, featuring live performances from some of the shortlisted acts, and a televised programme to follow.
”Irish music is such an important part of 2fm and what we do. There’s so much incredible talent in Ireland right now and we believe Irish music is in the best place it’s ever been. As part of our RTÉ Choice Music prize announcement, 2fm will be going ‘all Irish, all day’ once again to support the amazing artists we have here.”
Adam Fogarty, Head of Music, RTÉ 2FM
