NI Music Prize - the show will go on...line!

The event, which will take place at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, will be a virtual show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organised by Oh Yeah, produced by MEP (Mike Edgar Production) and streaming live as a YouTube Premiere, the awards plan to bring as much live experience as possible to audiences at home. There will be brand new performances from shortlisted acts including Arborist, Careerist, Joshua Burnside, Kitt Philippa, Phil Kieran and Sasha Samara.

Rigsy (DJ & Broadcaster) and Gemma Bradley (Presenter, BBC ATL Introducing) will present the show. There will be guest contributors, with live announcements and presentations, as well as some previously unseen footage including the Snow Patrol performance from last year’s incredible event at the Ulster Hall.

The awards include Best Album supported by PPL, Best Single supported by Help Musicians, the Oh Yeah Contender Award in association with ATL Introducing and Best Live Act. The winners of three categories will be awarded a cash prize of £1,000 and £3,000 will go to the winner of Best Album.

A panel will decide Best Album on November 12 and voting is now open to the public for the other three shortlists.

Charlotte Dryden from Oh Yeah said: “It has been an incredibly difficult year for music, musicians and live music, but we were determined to make sure that the show will go on. We need to have a moment for our community to come together to say we are still here, we will get through this and we matter.

“We have an incredible amount of talent to celebrate here and while we normally get together under one roof for this annual celebration, this is an opportunity to showcase our music in a new way.

“We’re urging everyone to join us, tune in, get involved, organise watch parties and support local music. It will be different, but we think it will be great.”

For more info on shortlists, voting and process go to www.nimusicprize.com.