The nominees for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize of 2021 have been announced, with 10 albums in contention.
The 10 acts nominated are Bicep for 'Isles', Mick Flannery & Susan O'Neill for 'In the Game', For Those I Love with their self-titled album, Orla Gartland for 'Woman on the Internet', HousePlants for 'Dry Goods', Kojaque for 'Town’s Dead', Elaine Mai for her album 'Home', Saint Sister for their album 'Where I Should End', Soda Blonde for their album 'Small Talk' and 2013 award winners Villagers for 'Fever Dreams'.
The awards are run by RTÉ 2FM and Aidan Fogarty, Head of Music at the station said "The sheer quality of this year's RTÉ Choice Music Prize shortlist highlights the incredible standards now being reached routinely by musicians and artists in Ireland across a range of genres."
"While it has been an extremely challenging year for the music industry, so many Irish artists, not just those who have made the shortlist, have used this time, much of it in the absence of live shows, to produce some incredible music."
The Irish Album of the Year 2021 will be announced live from Vicar St on RTÉ 2FM in a special show 7-11pm on Thursday 3rd March and the show will feature live performances from some of the shortlisted acts.
Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing at the Irish Music Rights Organisation said "Despite the enormous challenges, 2021 proved to be an incredible year for new music releases in Ireland. RTÉ Choice Music Prize provides a snapshot of the vast amount of creativity and diversity to be found in Irish music right now."
Denise Chalia was the winner for 2020, seeing off efforts from the likes of Fontaines DC, Pillow Queens and Róisín Murphy with her album 'Go Bravely' and received a prize fund of €10,000.
The Song Of The Year shortlist will be revealed on January 26th.
