The most keenly contested Meteor Choice Music Prize in recent years saw Villagers claim the award for Best Irish Album of 2013 tonight at Vicar Street. The Dublin outfit bagged the prestigious prize for Awayland, despite stern competition from a high quality shortlist which included Bell X1, And So I Watch You From Afar, Girls Names, Kodaline , Little Green Cars, Mano Le Tough, My Bloody Valentine, O Emperor and Lisa O’Neill.
A cursory glance at some of the records that didn’t make the shortlist highlights the quality of Irish music right now and the difficult task faced by this year’s panel of judges. Fine albums by Halves, Chequerboard, Cat Dowling and I Am The Cosmos failed to make the final ten.
The delighted band accepted the prize and cheque for €10,000 in front of a packed Vicar Street. Lead singer Conor O'Brien dedicated the award to his band, the "village people" and said that the night was a "celebration of the diversity of the Irish music scene".
There were some great live performances on the night with Bell X1, Lisa O'Neill and the eventual winners Villagers stealing the show with storming sets.
The award for Best Irish Song of 2013 was also announced following a public vote with O.R.B. (formerly of the parish Original Rude Boys) claiming the prize for 'Never Gonna Walk Away'.
Words: Paul Page
