From albums and venues, to books and films, these past 12 months have defied all expectations – particularly when it comes to homegrown talent. Although we're currently in the midst of the international awards season, there's no opinion that matters to us as much as the Hot Press Readers' Poll, where you get the chance to celebrate the artists and works that made the past year so special. We've already invited you to submit your nominations for each category – and now its time to cast your final votes, as we reveal the shortlists for this year's Hotties!

The categories in this year's Readers' Poll reflect the wide variety of art forms that we all connected so deeply with in 2023. In the music world, that included stand-out tracks, debut albums, live acts, groups, individual artists, groundbreaking women, rising stars, and songwriters – across multiple genres. But the poll also includes categories for comedians, radio DJs, films, TV shows, books and more.

As part of the Hot Press Readers' Poll, you also get a say in the Hot Press Live Venue of the Year award – with one winner set to be honoured at next week's ceremony for the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards.

The nominations for the 2024 Readers' Poll have been pouring in since January. Did all your favourites make the shortlist? The competition is fierce – but there can only be one winner in each category! So vote now for all your favourites... The future depends on you!