Choice Music Prize

In 2017, we had a spate of talented female solo artists come to the fore – Ailbhe Reddy, Loah and Katie Laffan to name a few. But the one that stamped her presence on the Irish music scene in the form of an album was Marlene Enright. She…

The opening track on Fangclub’s eponymous debut album – Bullet Head – breezes past in a nifty two minutes flat. The whole record races from one end to the other in just over thirty. Fangclub aren’t hanging around. They come in, do the work…

Season three of NO ENCORE rolls on as Totally Dublin scribe and quiz champion Zara Hedderman makes her long-awaited return. Big week for Irish music as the RTÉ Choice Music Prize shortlist is unveiled, and the NO ENCORE hat trick is…

When the announcement of the 2007 Choice Music Prize for Best Irish Album came over the loud speaker many were left bemused. A troop of misfits took to the stage to claim their award. Super Extra Bonus Party had won. They were fast…

What can possibly be left to say about Ed Sheeran, 'Galway Girl' and its parent record? Plenty, as it turns out. With Colm off performing jury duty, Dave and Craig are joined by their former Hot Press colleague Celina Murphy to try and…

It's a raucous atmosphere in the NO ENCORE studio as Dave Hanratty and Colm O'Regan are joined by Dara Kiely and Daniel Fox of the wonderful Girl Band ahead of their Vicar Street headliner on February 17 in aid of Pieta House. On a…

From an outrageous year in Irish music, it’s no surprise that this year’s Choice Music Prize 2017 shortlist is solid as hell. Decided by a panel of Irish ‘industry types’, the winner will be announced on the 9th of March 2017. For those not…