To say that the last year has been challenging would be putting it mildly, but we shouldn’t forget all the phenomenal music that emerged in spite of the madness. So, before we put 2020 in our rearview, we’re calling on all music fans to help us celebrate the best acts, tracks, albums and more – as we proudly reveal our star-studded shortlist for this year's Hot Press Readers' Poll!

With a dazzlingly diverse selection of talent on offer right across the country, homegrown music has never been so exciting – as evidenced by the highly competitive shortlist for The Hotties 2021.

Every year, we invite our readers to have their say on their favourite Irish album, debut album, track, musician, group, most promising act, electronic act, hip-hop act, folk act, comedian and DJ, plus all their highlights on the international front.

Last year's poll saw Dermot Kennedy win big in four major categories, as he took home Irish Album and Debut Irish Album of 2020, as well as coming out on top in Best Male and Best Track. Meanwhile, Hozier took home the award for Track of the Decade and Artist of the Decade. Other names that scored prestigious wins were Fontaines D.C., Billie Eilish, Inhaler and many more!

The nominations for 2021 have been pouring in since January. Did all your favourites make the shortlist?

Reflecting the unique times we find ourselves in, the 2021 shortlist includes a new category for Live Stream of the Year – with CMAT, Denise Chaila, Fontaines D.C., JYellowL and many more nominated.

Fontaines D.C. also get a nod for Group Of The Year, alongside the likes of Girl Band, Inhaler, Kneecap, The Mary Wallopers, Pillow Queens and Wyvern Lingo.

The Male, Female and Non-Binary Artists of the Year categories look equally competitive, while Tolü Makay, milk., Lucy Blue, Kean Kavanagh, Gemma Dunleavy, Christian Cohle and more are up for Most Promising Of The Year.

After a remarkable year of Irish releases, the Album of the Year category is packed with potential winners – as is Track of the Year, with Sorcha Richardson, Saint Sister, Somebdoy's Child, James Vincent McMorrow, Kojaque and Wild Youth all included.

We also break down the Irish scene by genre – with shortlists for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Act, Best Folk/Trad Act and Best Dance/Electronic Act.

And it's not just Irish music in the spotlight – the Readers' Poll includes categories for Best Comedian, Radio DJ, Film, TV Programme, Book, Game, Hero, Villain, and much more.

One of the acts leading the race in The Hotties 2021 is Denise Chaila – with a whopping eight nominations.

Following the phenomenal year they've had, it's no surprise that Grammy-nominated band Fontaines D.C. are up for a whopping seven awards. Hotly tipped rapper JyellowL, who released his debut album 2020 D|Vision in October, is nominated in six categories – while rising star CMAT has garnered five nominations, less than a year after the release of her debut single.

The competition is fierce – but there can only be one winner in each category! Vote for all your favourites below: