A very exciting announcement. The RTÉ Choice Music Prize have announced their shortlist for 2018’s Irish album of the year award.
Let’s not waste any time. Here’s the list.
The Academic – Tales From The Backseat (ROOM6 Records)
Delorentos – True Surrender (Delo Records)
Just Mustard – Wednesday (Pizza Pizza Records)
Kojaque – Deli Daydreams (Soft Boy Records)
O Emperor – Jason (Big Skin Records)
Lisa O’Neill – Heard A Long Gone Song (River Lea Recordings)
Saint Sister – Shape Of Silence (self-released)
Rejjie Snow – Dear Annie (BMG)
Villagers – The Art Of Pretending To Swim (Domino Recording Co)
Wyvern Lingo – Wyvern Lingo (Ruby Works)
It’s an incredibly competitive list. At first glance, acts like Wyvern Lingo, Koajaque and Saint Sister seem like favourites but there’s such a wealth of quality on offer that’s it’s near impossible to decide. Especially considering the Choice Prize only takes the music its self into consideration, not airplay or popularity.
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Running the award this year is, as always, Tony Clayton-Lea.
Here’s the list of this year’s judges, featuring our own Mike McGrath-Brian.
Louise Cantillion -4FM
Zara Hedderman -Thin Air / Head Stuff / Freelance
Conor McCaffrey -Daily Star / mookidmusic.com
Mike McGrath-Brian – Freelance / nialler9.com (Cork)
Danny McIlheny – Irish Daily Mail
Cathy Moorehead – Across The Line/NI
Ed Smith – Today FM
Tara Stewart – 2FM
Dean Van Nguyen – Freelance/Irish Times
Stephen White – thelastmixedtape.com
Plenty of these acts were featured on our own end of year lists. Our top 20 Irish albums featured Lisa O’Neill, Just Mustard, Rejjie Snow, Wyvern Lingo, Villagers, O Emperor, Saint Sister and Kojaque.
It’s a shame that Paddy Hanna and Spies weren’t included on the list, but I suppose there were bound to be disappointments with the competition being as close as it is.
The award, plus live performances from acts on the shortlist, will be presented at a live event in Vicar Street on the 7th of March. Tickets at €28+ are on sale now for the event from the Ticketmaster website.
