Irish Music Month is back and is set for a September return.
The nationwide event, run by Hot Press with the backing of 22 independent radio stations around Ireland under the IBI (Independent Broadcasters of Ireland) was last staged in 2024 and will return for a 2026 outing from Monday 14 September to Sunday 11 October.
Along with showcasing rising Irish talent around the country, all 22 radio stations involved will increase their support for Irish music across the month-long running with increased playlisting for Irish and local acts in particular.
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Two competitions are at the heart of Irish Music Month – A New Local Hero being the main event, while Amhrán na Laoch, the Irish language songwriting competition, also returns this year.
A New Local Hero
A New Local Hero will see all participating radio stations put the call out to artists in their franchise areas to take part, and in our neck of the woods it’s KCLR working with acts from both Kilkenny and Carlow. The station will then shortlist four acts who will be invited to perform and be interviewed for broadcast. One act will be named the station’s Local Hero, going on for consideration at the national finals.
Each of the shortlisted acts will receive fees in the region of several hundred Euro for their performances, with the overall winner in line for a €5,000 prize along with the chance to record a single at Camden Recording Studios with Cian Boylan, which would be mastered by Grammy-winner Ruairi Cushnan of Spéir Mix & Master, before being released via Rubyworks.
The most recent winner of the A New Local Hero award was rising star Calum Agnew, who won the opportunity to record and release his single ‘Anymore’ via the storied Rubyworks label. The Duleek, Co. Meath, native has gone from strength to strength since, releasing his fantastic debut EP Bad Boy in February, appearing at major festivals like Electric Picnic, opening for acts like The Coronas, and headlining his own shows in venues across Ireland.
Past winners include Brad Heidi, whose single ‘Don’t Let Go’ – also recorded and released as part of his A New Local Hero prize package – reached No.1 in the Irish Breakers Charts upon its release; and Chameleon aka Matthew Harris, who subsequently featured extensively with Irish hit makers 49th & Main and Khakikid, whilst building his own impressive catalogue of singles and live appearances.
Support is ‘absolutely vital’
“It is always a great moment, when we announce Irish Music Month in partnership with the IBI”. that’s according to Hot Press editor Niall Stokes who was speaking of the event on today’s (Tuesday) announcement.
“Ireland is producing such extraordinary musical talent – artists who are doing so much to shape a wonderfully positive perception of Ireland, as a place where music, culture and good times are supported and appreciated. But music is still a very tough business, with obstacles at every turn – and an increasingly immediate threat from AI. It is really hard to earn a good living from music.
“Which is why it is absolutely vital to support Irish musicians and songwriters in every way we possibly can. There is no doubt that radio has a powerful role to play in this regard, making the commitment from all of the participating stations, as part of Irish Music Month, to play more Irish music – and to find their Local Heroes from all of the amazing artists we have across the country – so important. We have it within our power – and we certainly have the talent – to make Ireland one of the great international centres of music. So let’s make September a brilliant month – and we’ll continue to build from there.”
Along with the backing of the IBI, Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master. KCLR is joined by Clare FM, Classic Hits, Cork’s 96FM, East Coast FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KFM, Limerick’s 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 as host radio stations.
Entries via KCLR will open from Tuesday 4 August, we’ll have full details on how you can apply that morning.
