Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

Coolboy, Liadh, Ellen O'Meara and Sophie Whelan have been picked out as local finalists in the A New Local Hero national talent search - a key part of Irish Music Month which is set to kick off on 21 stations across Ireland on September 1st.

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 21 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions in recent months. The excitement is rising, with a slew of announcements arriving over the next few days. Each of the acts selected by the stations will perform and be interviewed on their local station, with one act from each station going forward onto the long-list of contenders for the national A New Local Hero award.

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.

What Irish Music Month means, across participating independent stations, is:

– More Irish music song plays

– More Irish music features

– More Irish artist gig pushes

– More Irish artist interviews

And – what's more – we'll be putting over €100,000 into the hands of music makers and their crews across the country too.

Without further ado, let's meet Midlands 103's shortlisted artists...

Ellen O'Meara:

This Westmeath songwriter's music casts a scrutinising eye on societal norms, challenging unrealistic beauty standards and spotlighting what she refers to as "Ireland's political regression". O'Meara's honest, delicate-sounding folk pop has hitherto gained a some well-earned traction via Tiktok, where she was discovered by revered singer Aoife Scott and invited to perform at the Women of Note concert during Tradfest in 2023. Simultaneously poignant and elevating.

Ellen O'Meara (Screenshot: Spotfiy)

LIADH:

Athlone native Leah oaloney deals in synthy, electro-tinged dreampop, calling on forces like Billie Eilish, MARINA and Chappell Roan for inspiration. Having spent much of her life singing in choirs and theatre groups, Moloney started writing songs as a teen, releasing her first single 'Can't Face The Day' in August. With debut EP Illusions in the works, this is undoubtedly a young artist to keep an ear on, not least for her refreshing mix of catchy hooks and vulnerable lyrics.

Liadh

Coolboy:

Tadgh O’Dwyer, Fionn Devoy, Ruairi Phelan and Alex Power, make up this Co. Laois indie rock outfit, who lay claim to a healthy list of influences, ranging from greats like Thin Lizzy to modern heroes such as Catfish and the Bottlemen. Quickly building up a reputation for their electric live sets, they've proved to be no slouches in the studio either, as exhibited in their infectious, guitar-driven debut single 'High Tide.'

Coolboy filming for AN GHIG MHÓR

Sophie Whelan:

This 17-year-old Mullingar singer has been showcasing her bright potential as a guitar-clad entertainer since her youth, with  performances on The Late Late Toy Show as well as Junior Eurovision to her name. Equally comfortable behind a piano as she is with a six-string, she cites Amy Winehouse, Zach Bryan, The Beatles and Taylor Swift as some of her core inspirations.  There's a bright future ahead for this young songsmith.

Sophie Whelan (screenshot: @sophiewhelanmusic on Instagram)

lare FM
Classic Hits
Cork's 96FM
East Coast FM
FM104
Galway Bay Fm
Highland Radio
KCLR
KFM
Limerick Live 95FM
LMFM
Midlands 103
MidWest Radio
Northern Sound
Ocean FM
Radio Kerry
Radio Nova
Shannonside
South-East Radio
Tipp FM
WLR FM

• Irish Music Month - Irish Radio Supporting Artists - in association with IBI, Hot Press & Coimisiún na Meán's Sound & Vision Scheme, funded by the Television License Fee.

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