After a year away due to COVID-19, the NI Music Prize will return to Belfast's iconic Ulster Hall on November 17th.

The Northern Ireland Music Prize has been recognising and spotlighting Northern Irish talent since 2013. The awards include Best Album, which will be supported by PPL this year, and Best Single, sponsored by YouTube Music; while the ATL Introducing Contender Award, in association with Oh Yeah Music Centre, will be recognising new upcoming artists. The winners of Best Single and ATL Introducing Contender Award will be awarded a cash prize of £1,000, while Best Album award winners will bring home £3,000.

"It has been a long and challenging twelve months for musicians," said Oh Yeah's Charlotte Dryden. "That is why this year is such an important coming together, not just to celebrate the great wealth of talent that has produced world-class records throughout the pandemic, but also to thank and let the music community take a moment to reflect, start to rebuild and look to the future. It’s going to be a very special evening indeed.”

Amongst the shortlisted artists are Amy Montgomery, Dani Larkin, New Pagans and TRÚ - all of whom also be performing during the event. The show will also feature guest performances from Ryan McMullan and Ash, as well as last year's ATL Introducing Contender Award winner Sasha Samara. Across the Line's presenter Rigsy and BBC Music Introducing's Gemma Bradley will present the show.

"Supporting new musicians has never been so important after the very difficult times we have been through and with access to live music challenged," said Dan Chalmers, Director of YouTube Music EMEA. "We are proud to sponsor such an important moment celebrating the best music coming out of Northern Ireland and we look forward to an especially poignant and celebratory event”.

This year's event will celebrate the charity Help Musicians, which supported musicians from all over the United Kingdom through these uncertain times. In its 100 years of operation - the charity was founded in 1921 - the organisation has never been more necessary than the last two years. In Northern Ireland alone, it supported nearly 800 musicians through the difficulties caused by COVID-19.

The Northern Ireland Music Prize is a part of the Sound of Belfast, a festival that celebrates the music and musicians of the city. Running from the 4th – 18th November, it features 50 events in 11 venues with over 50 artists in attendance. You can find more information on the events at :www.soundofbelfast.com

The NI Music Prize will also be live-streamed on YouTube.