Another year, another Choice Music Prize! Last Thursday, the 13th edition of the Irish music awards took place at the famous Dublin venue Vicar Street. Who played? Who won? We were there to report everything about the most awaited night of the year for the Irish music industry.
This year, a bunch of some of the most promising Irish artists were nominated to have a chance to win the €10,000 prize fund provided by IMRO (the Irish Music Rights Organisation) and IRMA (the Irish Recorded Music Organisation). 10 acts were nominated for the Album of the Year award, the most prestigious one : Come On Live Long, Marlene Enright, Fangclub, Lankum, James Vincent McMorrow, New Jackson, Otherkin, Fionn Regan, Ships and Talos.
The band Come On Live Long opened the show with their aerial and chill electro sound, teasing the audience before this night of music.
Then, it was time for the rock band Fangclub to perform. As usual, they made their guitars cried and people move.
DJ New Jackson came on stage then and put the audience in a delightful musical trance. He went through a chill vibe to a more dancing one. Class.
Marlene Enright started singing her soulful tunes accompanied by a very harmonious voice on backing vocals.
Then was the time to give the song of the year award. Soulé, Aine Cahill and many more talents were nominated but it was Tullamore trio Chasing Abbey who won the prestigious award for their song That Good Thing. They performed it live for the occcasion.
The very awaited Talos appeared with his full band, bringing his electro-pop music from Cork. His bewitching high-pitched voice and class guitarist à la Jimi Hendrix conqueered everybody.
James Vincent McMorrow came to share his soul sound with the RTE Choice Music Prize audience. His very powerful voice surprised the whole audience, quiet more than ever.
Fionn Regan, in his oversized coat and Liam Gallagher-like hairstyle is another one who made the audience silent. He tells stories in a very mysterious way. An interesting character.
Lankum, singer sitting on the stage, started to play their modern Irish influenced tunes and it was beautiful. The peek came when the singer sang the traditional Irish way. Goosebumps, simply.
Ships is a very energetic and funky band. Their disco influence and the singer’s voice are their strenghts.
Talented rock band Otherkin finally closed the show in the best way, making everybody stand up. Luke the band’s singer, and his legendary jump in the crowd, was way too class.
At the end, the winner of the RTE choice music prize song of the year was Ships. This event shows every year how much the emerging Irish scene is unique and talented. Congratulations to all the nominees and the winners. We can’t wait to see what next year holds.
Credits : All videos and pictures by Lilia Lalaoui.
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