Lankum were the prevailing winners last night at RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year event in Vicar Street.
Lankum’s False Lankum (our #1 album of 2023) was the favourite to win the award, which was chosen by a panel of music industry judges on the night.
The folk and trad band won out over 9 other nominated acts many of who performed on the night including The Murder Capital, last year’s winner CMAT, Rachael Lavelle, Kojaque, Soda Blonde, John Francis Flynn and Ezra Williams.
In accepting their award from 2021 winner Denise Chaila, and during the performance which closed the show, Lankum highlight the ongoing genocide in Gaza and urged individual action in response along with continued pressure on the government.
Jazzy won the award for Breakthrough Act and Best Artist, while Cian Ducrot won the public vote for Song Of The Year. There were audible boos and shouts of “Free Palestine” in response to U2’s Achtung Baby being awarded Classic Irish Album, due to Bono’s silence on Gaza.
Lankum received a cheque for €10,000, a prize which has been provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), as well as a specially commissioned award.
RTÉ2 will broadcast a one-hour TV programme of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize, featuring performances from the eight acts and hosted by Tracy Clifford on Thursday 14th March at 22.30.
