RAAP and RTÉ Radio have announced details for this year’s Breakthrough Bursary, a music performance competition with a total of €24,500 in prize money on offer to help emerging musicians further their career. Winners will also be guaranteed air play on prime time radio shows on RTÉ’s stations Radio 1, 2fm, Lyric fm and Raidió na Gaeltachta.
There are four categories to enter covering all genres (Pop / Rock / Dance; Country / Roots / Bluegrass; Traditional Irish/ Folk; Classical Solo / Jazz) and each category winner will receive €5,0000 with nine runner ups receiving €500 each. For now, if you want to enter you have until Thursday August 9th to submit entries via the rte.ie/breakthrough page.
Shortlists will be announced on September 14th with a concert happening on September 20th from finalists also broadcasts on Radio 1.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
