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Choice Music Prize

Are these the 10 best musical acts in Ireland today?

All these artists have made albums in the last year. What are your thoughts?

TONIGHT WILL SEE the judges go into conclave for the 2013 Meteor Choice Music Prize, selecting the best Irish album and song from the last year.

There are 10 nominees for the top album prize. Only artists who have released an album in the last year are eligible (sorry Bono!). We’ve collected a song from each for you to consider.

Is this the best new music being made in Ireland today? Let us know your thoughts in the comments…

Wallis Bird

Wallis Bird’s self-titled third album was released last year. She’s folky, rocky, AND she supported Gabrielle. Dreams can come true.

Here’s the lead single Encore:

YouTube/26isthenew19

The Cast of Cheers

Math-rock, you say? And a video involving mankinis and gimp masks?

YouTube/thecastofcheers

Adrian Crowley

Singer-songwriter Crowley won the 2009 prize for The Season Of The Sparks. He’s back for another go with I See Three Birds Flying.

YouTube/chemikal

Delorentos

Stalwarts of the Irish alt-rock scene since 2005, Delorentos have won a career-best reception with new album Little Sparks.

YouTube/delorentos

Damien Dempsey

Combative, folk-influenced singer-songwriter Dempsey has built a loyal following with his politics sometimes receiving as much attention as his music. Always a singalong.

YouTube/DamienDempseyMusic

Julie Feeney

Feeney is also a previous Choice winner, taking the award in 2006 for debut 13 Songs. As if being a musician wasn’t enough, she also works in the theatre and composed her first opera last year. And is critically acclaimed. Jealous yet?

YouTube/feeneyjulie

Heathers

One of the bigger acts on the list in commercial terms, Heathers are Wicklow twins Ellie and Louise McNamara. Their latest album Kingdom won positive reviews. And they’ve been on the Late Late Show, dammit.

YouTube/heathersdublin

Mumblin’ Deaf Ro

Owner of the best name on this list, singer-songwriter Mumblin’ Deaf Ro makes it his business to write (mostly) quiet but (pretty much always) striking songs.

YouTube/Ian Lawton

Two Door Cinema Club

Straight outta Bangor (and Donaghadee), Two Door Cinema Club’s brand of synth-rock has gained huge success since their debut album in 2010. They played the O2 in January.

YouTube/twodoorcinemaclub

Windings

Blending folk, rock and pop, Windings have released three albums and grown from one member to five along the way. Their last, I Am Not The Crow, was released last year.

YouTube/windingswindings

(Full disclosure: TheJournal.ie’s Aoife Barry is a judge for this year’s prize. Hi Aoife!)

Here’s the song that will represent Ireland at Eurovision>

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