Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

We are edging towards crunch time in A New Local Hero, as the long lists turn into short lists – and all those other careful steps are taken when one artist or band is being chosen from the many, for what will be a singular honour!

With 25 radio stations all over Ireland involved, the road towards identifying A New Local Hero 2021 is necessarily a long and winding one! But the eventual outcome could transform the life – or lives – of the artist or band finally selected for the first accolade of its kind.

Through a rigorous – and at times fun! – process, each of the 25 participating stations has narrowed a huge set of submissions from local artists down to five apiece – all of whom were invited to perform for local audiences. One of the beauties of Irish Music Month is that all of these artists are being paid for their endeavours, as well as getting a shot at the ultimate A New Local Hero award.

Now that the final fives have been decided locally, and the nomination process is complete, we wanted to mark the moment by listing all 125 artists, alongside the stations that chose them. All of them can be deemed winners in this process – so well done to each and every single one.

"This has been a really heartwarming, and hugely encouraging process," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. "We’ve been telling people over and over again, in all sorts of different ways, in Hot Press, that there is an extraordinary wave of new talent coming through in Ireland right now. Well, that is certainly borne out by the calibre of so many of the artists that have made it through to the local short-list stage in A New Local Hero.

"Anyone who has been watching the Hot Press Y&E Series closely will be familiar with a lot of the names of the artists and bands," he added. "I don’t want to single anyone out at this stage. But here at Hot Press, we're thrilled that every single station has delivered, with artists coming through that genuinely deserve to be considered for the highest accolade. The task of the judges is going to be a very difficult one. But we are looking forward with huge interest to the next stage – which will be to announce, early next week, all of the Local Heroes from the 25 stations."

"The process we have undertaken between Hot Press and the IBI – and with the support of the BAI, XL Retail, MCD Productions, IMRO and RAAP – has already been wonderfully rewarding. A New Local Hero has offered a unique window into just how much talent of the highest calibre is out there. So a big thanks is due to the staff in all 25 radio stations for making it happen so seamlessly and well. Long may it continue."

The excitement is mounting! More to follow soon. But first, in strict alphabetical order, here's the full list of 125 nominated artists...

98FM

• Chameleon
• Emileo
• Local Boy
• Viscose
• Zaska

Clare FM

• Ger O'Donnell
• Julie Martin
• Oscar Blue
• Padjo Dolan
• Séan Lyons

Classic Hits

• Big Love
• Cantered Soul
• Eva Campbell
• James Warnock
• Stephen Rafferty

Cork's 96

• Conor O'Keefe
• Fintan McKahey
• Helen Murray
• Mali
• T23

East Coast FM

• Amy Barrett
• Aoife Doyle
• Chapter 3
• Jhil Quinn
• Sean Fox

FM104

• Hallie
• Mia Yermeche
• Muireann McDonnell
• Nassim
• Sophie Doyle Ryder

Galway Bay FM

• Colohan
• Darragh O'Dea
• Jack Lee
• James Dillon
• RACHEL

Highland Radio

• Amberlight
• Amy Meehan
• George Houston
• Matthew Crampsey
• Polxroid

iRadio

• Donnatella
• Keith Coleman
• Pauric O'Meara
• Sarloos
• SJ Talbot

KCLR

• Chemical Addiction
• Davey Long
• Elise Ramsbottom
• Exiles
• The Screws

KFM

• Gemma Cox
• Jess Young
• Megan O'Neill
• Ryders Blu
• Shiv

Live 95

• Abby Butler
• Michelle Grimes
• Owen Alfred
• Raging Suns
• Danny G & The Major 7ths

LMFM

• Amy Tuite
• Andy Dempsey
• InBetween Honey
• Kelley McArdle
• Lunar Effect

Midlands Radio

• Amy Quirke
• Anna Carmody
• Dubh Lee
• Emer Dunne
• First Day Lions

Midwest Radio

• Aisling Mullarkey
• Billow Wood
• Brendan Farrell
• Con Murphy
• Regina McDermott

Ocean FM

• Amy O'Hara
• Gavin Murphy
• Grooveline
• LaGracia
• Whatever Suits

Radio Kerry

• Colin Andrew
• DAPA
• Donal Lucey
• Kate Dineen
• Lorraine Nash

Radio Nova

• Brían Farrell
• Jailbirds
• Laura Elizabeth Hughes
• Sprints
• Water's Edge

Red FM

• Eliza Murphy
• Jordan Air
• Leon Bishop
• Minnie Marley
• Ruby Ivy

Shannonside / Northern Sound

• The Best Part
• Cíona Kelly
• Jamie Duffy
• Mary Hoey
• The Vibes

South East Radio

• Corner Boy
• Matt McManamon
• Rachel Grace
• Reuben Hester
• Tulua

SPIN 1038

• Babylamb
• Blond Model
• Galia Arad
• Leah Moran
• PrYmary Colours

SPIN South West

• Dovee
• Emily Radke
• Matthew Harris
• Melanin Tee
• Pierce

Tipp FM

• Aimee O'Brien
• Dáswna
• Jester
• Luke Quinlan
• Strings & Things

WLR FM

• Carrie Baxter
• Coddy
• Dunluvly
• Toucan
• Under Starling

Keep an eye out on our socials for more announcements regarding the A New Local Hero award – and more related to Irish Music Month!

Irish Music Month is supported by XL Retail Group, MCD Productions, IMRO, RAAP, X-Music and Square1

Irish Music Month is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from the television license fee.