The nominations for the 12th annual RTE Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2016 have been announced. The winning album will be announced at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize live event, in Vicar Street, Dublin on Thursday 9th March 2017. The event will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2FM in a special four-hour extended programme from 7-11pm and on RTÉ2 as part of a special RTÉ Choice Music Prize programme, one week later.

– All Tvvins – IIVV (Warner Music)
– Bantum – Move (Self Released)
– Wallis Bird – Home (Mount Silver / Caroline International)
– The Divine Comedy – Foreverland (Divine Comedy Records)
– Lisa Hannigan – At Swim (Hoop Recordings)
– Katie Kim – Salt (Art For Blind Records)
– James Vincent McMorrow – We Move (Faction Records)
– Overhead, The Albatross – Learning to Growl (Self Released)
– Rusangano Family – Let The Dead Bury The Dead (Self Released)
– We Cut Corners – The Cadences Of Others (Delphi)

3 of the nominations, All Tvvins, Rusangano Family and Overhead, The Albatross have previously featured in GoldenPlec’s Plec Picks series.

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year, is chosen from a shortlist of ten releases by a panel of twelve Irish music media professionals and industry experts. The winning act will receive €10,000, from The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). All of the shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award.

Commenting on the announcement, Victor Finn, Chief Executive IMRO said,

“We are delighted to continue our longstanding association with this important music prize. Irish music continues to push new boundaries and this prize shines a light on the music creators and songs that resonate so strongly with audiences at home and abroad”.

And Willie Kavanagh, IRMA Chairman adds

“We at IRMA are happy to continue our support of the Choice Music Prize. The ongoing search for new artists and new music, which is the focus of the Choice Music Prize, represents the life blood of the music industry in Ireland”.

The shortlist for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize – Irish Song of The Year 2016 will be announced on Wednesday 1st February, 2017. A Special event featuring exclusive performances from both Album of the Year and Song of the Year nominees will be held in Dublin that evening.

Tickets for the Choice Music Prize live are on sale from all Ticketmaster outlets and here priced €26.50 including booking fee.