Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

Following a phenomenal talent search, featuring a genre-blending selection of acts from right across the country, Hot Press and the IBI are thrilled to present our six national finalists for A New Local Hero. 

Out of the hugely talented 20+ regional finalists, Callum Agnew (LMFM), Bobbi Arlo (FM104), Asophonics (KCLR FM), Mia Black (Shannonside / Northern Sound), Jessica Brett (Tipp FM) and Projective (Corks 96FM) have been chosen to perform at the live finale showcase event at The Academy in Dublin on October 15.

However, there are still huge opportunities for the artists who didn't make the final six: this year's edition of A New Local Hero also includes a special element, with all of the regional finalists still in with a chance of being crowned the winner of the Irish Music Month Wildcard Award, voted by the public. The Wildcard winner will be awarded a €2,500 bursary. You can listen to the artists and cast your vote on Irishmusicmonth.ie...

As one of the central features of Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero is a major call to arms for Irish musicians and bands – with all of the participating radio stations having reached out for submissions as part of Ireland’s biggest talent search.

Every participating radio station selected four finalists each, giving them the chance to play live on air – and they are paid for their performances, thanks to the support of Coimisiún na Meán, under its Sound & Vision scheme.

From there, the station's four finalists were whittled down to one 'Local Hero' from each – a major honour in itself, which will serve as a huge milestone in the career of the 20 selected artists.

MENTORING SESSIONS

All of that has led us to the final, national stage of the journey. From the wonderfully talented artists selected locally, an industry judging panel – including songwriters and performers RuthAnne, Roisin Ó and Cian Boylan of Camden Recording Studios – has chosen six acts to go forward to play at the special showcase event in Dublin.

“There is always a heartbreaking aspect to a moment like this,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. “Listening to the songs, you can see immediately that all of the artists who came through locally have something special to offer. The standard is really high and, as a result, there is a very strong instinct that you don’t want to exclude anyone. But the important thing for everyone to remember – and especially those that are not on the shortlist of six – is that this is just one step on an artistic journey. The judges have selected six to to be shortlisted and go forward – that’s their job – but all of the Local Heroes, from all over Ireland, have the potential achieve great things with their music.

“In the final analysis, there can be only one artist selected as A New Local Hero 2024, but on the basis of the thousands of entries received for A New Local Hero, we are on the right track here in Ireland, producing artists of real calibre across all genres. Long may it continue."

"All the songs and vocals impressed me,” RuthAnne said.  “There’s a lot of potential in there. What I’d say to anyone who didn’t make it this time is: keep writing. Everyone has their own journey. Timing is everything. This may not have been your time – but that doesn’t mean your time won’t come. It’s great to see such up and coming Irish talent – so keep going everyone, and trust the process."

The A New Local Hero campaign will ultimately see well over  €100,000 going to Irish artists in cash and prizes – and one worthy overall winner selected, who will get to record a single at the prestigious Camden Recording Studios in Dublin, and release the single on the famed Irish independent record label, Rubyworks.

As already noted, this year's edition will also include a special new element – with all of the regional finalists still in with a chance to be crowned the Wildcard winner, voted by the public. The Wildcard Award winner will receive a €2,500 bursary. All of our A New Local Hero finalists will also be invited to take part in a special series of mentoring sessions and photoshoots on the day of the finale.

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 under the Sound & Vision scheme. It is supported by IMRO, Live Nation, RAAP, Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, and Camden Recording Studios.

The judges for the A New Local Hero shortlisting process were Cian Boylan (Camden Recording Studios), Ruth-Anne Cunningham (artist and songwriter), Mick D'Arcy (IMRO),  Dave McArdle (IBI), Roisin O'Reilly (artist and songwriter/ RAAP), Lucy O'Toole (Hot Press) and Sara Meneghini (Rubyworks).

The last edition of A New Local Hero saw Brad Heidi crowned the overall winner – with President Michael D. Higgins praising his win, and hailing him as a "very special" talent.

Tickets for the highly anticipated live finale of A New Local Hero 2024 are on sale now.

• Click here for bios of all of the local heroes, including the six on the final shortlist...

Listen to the 20 regional finalists of A New Local Hero below – and make sure to cast your vote: