At the last in-person Choice Music Prize ceremony, held two years ago, the then-unusual presence of hand sanitiser stations dotted around Vicar Street was the only real indicator of the livelihood-shattering pandemic that was about to come our way. Blissfully oblivious musicians, fans and industry professionals lapped up the talent on display, unaware that the mighty momentum of the Irish scene was about to be cut down in its tracks a week later.

As such, the return of the in-person show last night marked something much bigger than another prize ceremony. Rather, it felt like a celebration of what Irish music has overcome – having not only survived the major disruptions of the past two years, but having thrived in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Each album on the shortlist – and many of those that didn’t make the cut – felt like a testament to the defiant, fiercely independent spirit of Irish musicians, which refuses to be subdued.

As the first major event on the Irish music calendar that felt (touch wood) properly normal, the night began with reunions of old friends, acquaintances, colleagues and everything in between – embodying the same sort of feeling as Christmas Eve in your hometown pub.

The thundering bass of Elaine Mai’s set served as a fitting invitation to head from the bar into the main venue – as the producer kicked off the night with a celebration of her debut album, Home. She was later joined on stage by MayKay and Ailbhe Reddy, followed by Loah and Sinéad White. It felt like a powerful nod to the power of musical connection, given the collaborative nature of the project.

Elaine Mai at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2021. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Dance music continued to be well-represented across the evening, particularly in HousePlants’ performance. The supergroup – featuring Bell X1’s Paul Noonan and electronic artist Daithí – were as effortlessly cool as ever in their trademark shirts and jackets, while their album highlight ‘No Stopping Me’ packed a particularly uplifting punch in the context of the industry’s reopening.

After opening his set with the title track from his shortlisted album, Town’s Dead, Kojaque, with saxophone accompaniment, showcased the many sides of his artistry, as he dove into the poignant ‘No Hands’. Villagers, meanwhile, took a stripped-back approach. Despite the lush instrumentation of the jazz-influenced Fever Dreams, the renditions of the album’s fan favourites felt just as impactful with the backing of acoustic guitar and keys.

Villagers at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2021. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Fresh from the release of Night At The Opera, Mick Flannery and his collaborator Susan O’Neill brought the rich, glamorous world of their concept album, In The Game, to life. With the help of their band, the performance was another major showcase of the profound talents both artists.

Another highlight of the night was Soda Blonde – who've continued to cement their reputation as one of the country's most commanding live acts. While their talent has never been in question, the four-piece appear to have only grown in confidence over the past year, as they served up brilliant selections from Small Talk.

Soda Blonde at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2021. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Scheduling For Those I Love's performance for the end of the night felt like an intentional and undeniably fitting decision – as no one could have stepped up onto that stage after the hurricane of emotion David Balfe unleashed. Against a backdrop of immersive visuals, he took the audience straight to the heart of his grief-stricken masterpiece, in what was probably one of the most intense performances the Choice Music Prize has ever hosted.

As well as a celebration of the far-reaching impact of For Those I Love's album, the performance served as a crucial moment for the entire Irish music community to bear witness to this powerful tribute to Balfe's friend, the late Dublin poet Paul Curran.

And community was certainly the key word, as the stories of life, loss and friendship clearly resonated on a personal level with the entire room. When The Cranberries' Noel Hogan handed over the Album of the Year prize to For Those I Love – who was still clasping the 'Coolock Reds' Shelbourne flag that once belonged to Curran – it felt like an important, albeit bittersweet validation, and a hopeful signal of light after such immense struggle and grief.

Judging by the roars of celebration from the audience, they felt the same way too.

Noel Hogan with For Those I Love at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2021. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.