IMRO announce shortlist for music venue awards

IMRO have announced the shortlist for the Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2012, which will be doled out at the organisation’s headquarters on February 26.

The gongs include the National Live Music Venue of the Year, which is voted for by the public at [link]www.surveymonkey.com/s/imrovenueawards[/link] and the Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year, voting for which will commence shortly at [link]www.hotpress.com/readerspoll[/link].

“Ireland has a wonderfully vibrant music scene right now,” enthuses Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes, “with a whole new wave of fresh talent coming through. But they are facing into a very difficult environment, with sales of CDs and records having fallen dramatically. Which makes it more important than ever before that we have great venues all over Ireland in which our songwriters, artists and bands can build their audiences and their experience. That's why the IMRO Live Music Venue Awards are so important, as a way of rewarding and nurturing excellence.”

Echoing those sentiments, IMRO CEO Victor Finn says: “A strong live music circuit is the lifeblood of a vibrant music industry.  It is important that we acknowledge those venue owners and festivals promoters whose commitment, passion and support for live music throughout the country enables music creators to continue making the music we all enjoy.”

Here are the runners and riders:
 
IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin
The O2, Dublin
The Draiocht Theatre, Dublin
The Grand Social, Dublin
The Olympia, Dublin
 
IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
TLT, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
 
IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Monroe’s, Galway
The Dock Theatre, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Roisin Dubh, Galway
Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo
Roscommon Arts Centre, Co. Roscommon
 
IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare
Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
Cork Opera House, Cork
DeBarras, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
University Concert Hall, Limerick
 
IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
An Poc Fada, Monaghan
McGrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
 
IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year 2012
Castlepalooza
Electric Picnic
Live @ The Marquee Cork
Westport Music & Performing Arts Festival
Forbidden Fruit
Vantastival
Temple Bar Trad Festival
Festival of the Fires
Galway Arts Festival
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Cavan