The nationwide search for A New Local Hero has suddenly intensified greatly, with indie six-piece RuntheRed being announced as LMFM's own Local Hero! RuntheRed now goes forward onto the final long-list, which will include 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 RuntheRed
RuntheRed are an energetic six-piece indie outfit bringing together musicians from Meath, Offaly, and Dublin. Blending alternative indie influences with authentic Irish character, the band strikes a balance between raw, emotional songwriting and high-energy hooks built to get crowds moving.

The emerging Irish indie-alternative band was founded in 2024 by lead vocalist Ciara and guitarist/pianist Amy, whose shared passion for songwriting began over casual lunches in a work canteen. What started as conversations between the pair quickly grew into a creative partnership, with the band's name even being dreamed up over the counter of a local deli after already having written their first song “in Georgia” which includes the line “let’s just Run the Red…”. Their vision soon expanded into a full band, with Ana on violin, Alex on bass, and Matty on drums.

Inspired by artists such as The Cranberries, The Frames, and boygenius, RuntheRed blends intimate storytelling with atmospheric indie soundscapes, exploring themes of love, identity, loss, and growing up.

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.