Irish Music Month 2024 has been confirmed for September this year. And there is further good news for Irish songwriters, with the introduction, this year, of a dedicated contest for songs written in the Irish language, titled Amhrán an Laoch, to the Irish Music Month agenda.
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. Participating IBI stations will feature Irish music strongly throughout the month, and significantly increase the number of plays for Irish artists. Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP, Live Nation, Rubyworks and Camden Recording Studios. All-in, the value of the Irish Music Month project for Irish artists is in excess of €100,000.
Irish Music Month is being celebrated with a Garden Party in Áras an Úachtaráin this week, with special guest Dermot Kennedy topping an eight-strong bill of Irish artists. As one of its key elements, Irish Music Month hosts a major national talent search, A New Local Hero – full details of which will be announced over the coming weeks.
Previous winners of the A New Local Hero award include rising star Brad Heidi, whose single ‘Don’t Let Go’ – recorded and released as part of his A New Local Hero prize package – reached No.1 in the Irish Breakers Charts, earlier this year. Brad is set to appear as support to Billy Joel in his open air festival-style gig at Hyde Park in London on July – where Galway-based singer will also rub shoulders with Darryl Hall and Natasha Bedingfield; and Chameleon aka Matthew Harris, who has subsequently featured extensively with Irish hit makers 49th & Main, before releasing his new Chameleon single ’The Ransom’ in April this year.
Keep an eye on hotpress.com and listen to Shannonside Northern Sound for more news on Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero and the Irish song competition, Amhrán an Laoch.
