The nationwide search for A New Local Hero has suddenly intensified greatly, with Donegal singer Rian McCauley being announced as Highland Radio's own Local Hero! Rian McCauley 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 Rian McCauley

Rian McCauley started posting on TikTok last year and, completely unexpectedly, built a following of over 85,000 people through his music.

He currently has one original song out, 'Nickname', and is still riding the high of playing on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic - after being selected for a performance alongside some huge names, including Tinie Tempah. While that opportunity was a massive milestone, the up-and-comer sees this as the beginning rather than the end.

"What matters most to me now is getting my own music out there, continuing to write and release songs, building my audience, and giving myself the best possible chance of making this my full-time career," he says.

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.