Kneecap and Fontaines DC are among those competing for this year’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2024. The shortlist also includes folk artist Niamh Regan, pop singer-songwriter Orla Gartland and Galway rock band NewDad. The list was announced on RTÉ 2FM’s Tracy Clifford Show on Monday.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the prize. Jim Carroll, Choice Music Prize co-founder and chairperson of the judging panel, attributed its “longevity” to “how Irish bands and musicians have actively and enthusiastically supported the event over the years.”
“It is clear that they value its integrity and independence, as well as its impact on their profile and careers. On the occasion of the 20th Choice, we want to salute and thank the hundreds of musicians who’ve joined us along the way,” he said.
The full list of nominated albums is as follows:
- A Lazarus Soul – No Flowers Grow In Cement Gardens
- Curtisy – What Was The Question
- Fontaines D.C. – Romance
- Orla Gartland – Everybody Needs a Hero
- KNEECAP – Fine Art
- NewDad – MADRA
- Niamh Regan – Come As You Are
- Róis – Mo Léan
- Silverbacks – Easy Being a Winner
- SPRINTS – Letter To Self
Chosen from the shortlist of 10 albums by a panel of 11 Irish music media professionals and industry experts, the winning act will receive €10,000. This prize fund is provided by IMRO and IRMA.
Irish folk band Lankum took home the award last year for their album False Lankum. Recent winners in the category are singer-songwriter CMAT and Limerick rapper Denise Chaila.
Calling the awards a celebration of “all that is great about Irish music and Irish artists” RTÉ 2FM’s head of music, Adam Fogarty, said: “Through the Irish Artist of the Year, Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Classic Irish Album categories, and the long-standing Irish Song of the Year and the pre-eminent Irish Album of the Year prizes we are able to more broadly represent the incredible past, present and exciting future of Irish music.”
The shortlists for additional categories will be announced later this week – including the Irish artist of the year on Tuesday 7th, Irish breakthrough artist on Wednesday 8th, and Irish song of the year on Friday 10th.
The Irish Album of the Year 2024 will be announced live from Vicar Street on RTÉ 2FM in a special show from 7-11pm on Thursday, March 6th. The show will feature live performances from some of the shortlisted acts and is due to be broadcast live on RTÉ 2FM, with a TV-special set to be aired on RTÉ2 later in March. Tickets are on sale now via TicketMaster.
