Music
18 Feb 08

Aslan surprise at the Meteors

Aslan were the unexpected winners of the night at the Meteor Ireland Music awards, beating off competition from the likes of Ash, Delorentos and the Flaws to take the title of Best Irish Band.

Other homegrown winners on the night included Duke Special and Cathy Davey for Best Irish Male and Female respectively, Westlife for Best Pop, Paddy Casey for Best Album, Damien Dempsey for Best Folk/Trad and the Blizzards, who scooped the Best Irish Live Performance gong for their turn at Oxegen.

Ham Sandwich were named as the 'Hope for 2008', while the Saw Doctors collected a lifetime achievement award and concluded proceedings with a vintage live performance. The night also saw the live debut of the Sinead O'Connor/Republic of Loose collaboration 'We People Who Are Darker Than Blue.'

In the international arena, Radiohead were named best band, Bruce Springsteen and Amy Winehouse picked up best male and female nods, The Arcade Fire's Neon Bible won best album and Muse's appearance at Oxegen earned them a best live performance gong.

Red FM's Keith Cunningham and Today FM's Ray Foley received the respective awards for best regional and national DJ.