THE new album from Ash has been shortlisted for this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize.
Islands was released by Downpatrick’s Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray in May.
The event, which will take place on November 15 at the Ulster Hall, is now in its sixth year and includes the return of three categories that formed part of the very first NI Music Awards back in 2011.
Over 80 industry and media cast their vote for the best album of the last 12 months. They were also invited to nominate for Best Live, Best Single and the Oh Yeah Contender Award for best emerging act. There will be a second round of voting for all but Best Single, which will go to public vote later this week.
The NI Music Prize is coordinated by the Oh Yeah Music Centre and is supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, PRS (Performing Rights Society), PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited), Help Musician’s Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
The winners of each category will be awarded a cash prize. Best Single, Best Live Act and Oh Yeah Contender will receive £1,000 and £3,000 will go to the winner of Best Album.