Massive turnout for Hot Press Yearbook launch

The movers and shakers of the music industry turned out in force last night for the 2011 Yearbook Launch Party, in association with Jameson. Stars and celebrities from the music and entertainment industries gathered to celebrate what – at a whopping 332 pages! – is the the biggest ever Yearbook, and to check out some of the hottest talent in Ireland today.

Those who turned out for the music and entertainment industry event included Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Brendan Graham (Songwriter, 'You Raise Me Up'), Tony Fenton, Michelle Doherty, Lorainne Keane and her husband Peter Devlin (The Devlins), Paddy McKenna and Ruth Scott (RTÉ 2fm), Actor Kevin Ryan, Nick Seymour (Crowded House), Dylan McGrath (Michelin star and TV chef), Danny O'Reilly, Graham Knox (The Coronas), Luán Parle, Emma Quinlan, Ruth Melody, Aoiffe Madden from The Apprentice, Aisling O'Loughlin, Sandra Byrne (RTE), Nadine Wai O'Flynn (Principle Management), Riyadh Khalaf, Ham Sandwich, Fight Like Apes, Paul McLoone (The Undertones/Today FM), Mary Stokes, The Minutes, Dirty Epics, John Hughes, Manager of The Corrs and his daughter Anna Hughes, Philomena Lynott, Jim Fitzpatrick, Maser , The Original Rudeboys, Royseven, The Hot Sprockets, Brush Sheils, Lance Hogan, Smiley Bolger, founder of the Glasgowbury Festival Paddy Glasgow and Dara Kilkenny (BIMM) among others.

Among the stars who performed were long-time Hot Press favourites and recent EMI signings Pugwash, who have just released their highly-acclaimed new album in The Olympus Sound. Also in attendance was a huge number of leading lights of the Irish showbiz, entertainment and music business. The Hot Press Yearbook has been described as 'the bible' by a plethora of the industry's most influential figures, including Louis Walsh, Dave Fanning, Tom Dunne, Eleanor McEvoy, RTÉ producer Ian Wilson – and many more.

The very first Hot Press Yearbook was published in 1979, and in 2011 it celebrates how Ireland acts continue to set the music world on fire...

Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes talks of the ever-changing music industry:

"Everyone in music is wondering what the new paradigm is going to be, how musicians can make a living from their art, and how the business that owes its living to them will reshape itself. Well, there are some things that still hold true. Those artists who set about their task knowing that the road is a hard one, who make the commitment to giving it their all, and who work together as a unit - with their fellow musicians, management and mentors - are that much more likely to survive and thrive."

In an editorial in the hugely anticipated annual publication, Stokes hails the acts leading the drive in Ireland right now: "The talent – we have it. Work is what is required to make the most of it. Hard work. Let's show the world we have that appetite for it."

The Hot Press Yearbook launch is one of the most popular events in the entertainment calendar, and tonight’s celebrations lived up to expectations. Among the other acts to play were electronic buzz act Sounds Of System Breakdown and red-hot Dubliners The Riptide Movement. Fire breathers and poi performers were on also on hand to entertain the guests!

Click here to view our gallery of pics from the night.