The nationwide search for A New Local Hero has suddenly intensified greatly, with 18-year-old singer Joe Lovett being named as Radio Kerry's own Local Hero! Joe Lovett will now go forward onto the final long-list, which includes representatives from each of the participating stations. All 20+ of the Local Heroes will be revealed in a series of coming announcements. Watch this space for regular news updates!

Introducing Joe Lovett

Joe Lovett is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter and musician from Kerry. Lovett started making music earlier this year in his bedroom. He produces all of his own songs on GarageBand. His sound is influenced by alternative R&B and indie soul.

Alongside music, Lovett is also pursuing modelling and has had opportunities to work in Ireland and internationally. He also lived in Africa for 6 years growing up, before moving to Ireland. He has been playing gigs and busking in recent months as as he continues to develop as an artist.

A New Local Hero: The Facts

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. Now, with over 80 artists having performed and been interviewed on local radio, one act from each station is nominated for 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.

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

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 interview

• 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.