Cicada, Foinse, Kenan Flannery and Stephen Brennan have been picked out as Classic Hits Radio's local finalists in the A New Local Hero national talent search - a key part of Irish Music Month which is taking place on 22 stations across Ireland.

As one of the central features of Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero is a major call to arms for Irish musicians and bands – with all 22 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions in recent months. The excitement is rising, with a slew of announcements arriving over the next few days. Each of the acts selected by the stations will perform and be interviewed on their local station, with one act from each station going forward onto the long-list of contenders for the national A New Local Hero award.

Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán. Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP and Live Nation, along with Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master.

The stations participating in Irish Music Month are: Clare FM, Classic Hits, Cork's 96FM, East Coast FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Limerick Live 95FM, LMFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Shannonside FM, South East Radio, Sunshine FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM.

What Irish Music Month means, across participating independent stations, is:

– More Irish music song plays

– More Irish music artist mentions

– More Irish music features

– More Irish artist gig pushes

– More Irish artist interviews

And – what's more – we'll be putting over €100,000 into the hands of music makers and their crews across the country too.

Without further ado, let's meet Classic Hits Radio's shortlisted artists...

Cicada

Dublin-based indie rockers Cicada veer between folk, pop and classic rock, reminiscent of the likes of Big Thief and Fleetwood Mac. Their rock-and-roll stage presence, well-written original material and overall excellent musicianship earned them a win at the UCD Freshers week Battle of the Bands last year as well as a spot on Hot Press' Hot for 2026 list. With sweet harmonies and beautiful, dynamic arrangements - their music indicates a band wiser beyond their years.

Cicada

Foinse

Foinse are a six-piece retro-soul band based in Dublin. They have been lighting up stages across the city for over two years, honing an infectious energy and undeniable chemistry on stage. A string of well received singles will culminate in the release of their first EP 'Moneyman' at the end of September. The band balances soulful grooves and a playful, grounded attitude, mixing '60s Motown warmth and funk with a modern indie edge. They have played across prominent Dublin venues like The Workman's Club, Whelan's, The Grand Social and more.

Foinse

Kenan Flannery

Kenan Flannery is a 27-year-old folk songwriter from Dublin, rooted in the tradition of the Irish balladeer. Blending the Irish ballads with Americana folk song writing, He has been compared to the likes of John Prine and Luke Kelly. He's also toured extensively home and abroad, as well as sharing stages with The Wolfe Tones, The White Buffalo, John R. Miller and more. Known for his powerful live shows and unique storytelling, Kenan is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive voices in the modern folk music scene.

Kenan Flannery

Stephen Brennan

Stephen Brennan grew up in Co Fermanagh and spent years playing blues, rock, and folk across Ireland in a variety of different 3 and 4 piece bands. In 2024 Stephen and his wife packed up their life in Dublin and got on a pair of motorcycles to ride around the world. Travelling with folding guitars through mountains, deserts, hypercities and jungles for eighteen months, an EP and a new solo act took form. Stephen's music centers on our most poignant emotions, offering the listener the same therapeutic condolence found in old delta blues street singers.

Stephen Brennan

• Keep an eye on hotpress.com and listen to your local participating station for more news on Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero and the Irish song competition, Amhrán na Laoch.