Irish Music Month is back!

Vote for East Coast FM's Local Hero Niamh Beatrix for this year's Wildcard Award  HERE!

Get your tickets for the finale at The Academy Dublin on October 28th here.

Irish Music Month on East Coast FM means:

• More Irish music plays
• More Irish artist mentions
• More Irish artist interviews
• More Irish artist gig pushes

It’s independent Irish radio supporting Irish artists and it’s happening across the country!

So, what can you do to show your support to the acts and artists that enrich our lives?

Buy songs, albums, gig tickets and artist merch directly from the artists themselves

Post, share and amplify the Irish music artists you love

Join us in giving back, saying thanks and supporting even more amazing Irish music to come

Irish Music Month…Irish Radio Supporting Irish Artists – brought to you by Hot Press and the IBI in association with East Coast FM supported by Coimisiún na Meán Sound & Vision Scheme, funded by the Television License Fee

The search for a New Local Hero!

Part of the cross-station national initiative is the Search For A New Local Hero, an amazing opportunity for established or emerging musicians.

We were pleasantly overwhelmed by the amount of entries we received and after much deliberation, Niamh Beatrix was chosen as East Coast FM's New Local Hero.  Find out more about Niamh and our other 3 East Coast FM finalists below!

Six of Ireland's most exciting emerging music acts have been selected to compete in the national finale of A New Local Hero 2026, taking place at The Academy, Dublin, on October 28th.

Following an extensive nationwide talent search with all of 21 local and regional radio stations participating – an industry judging panel has selected six acts from a shortlist of 21 regional Local Heroes (including Niamh Beatrix!) to take to the stage for a special live showcase.

The six national finalists are:

• Groev 
• Rebecca Lane 
• RunTheRed 
• Shimmer Boy 
• Sitting Room 
• WineMom 

The finalists will perform live at The Academy, where one act will be crowned A New Local Hero 2026, securing a prize package worth an estimated €20,000. This includes €5,000 in cash, the opportunity to record a single at the prestigious Camden Recording Studios in Dublin, have it mixed and mastered by the Grammy Award winning Spéir Mix & Master and its release through acclaimed Irish independent record label Rubyworks – the label that discovered County Wicklow's own Hozier!

However, there is still a major opportunity open to the artists who did not make the final six: this year's edition of A New Local Hero also includes a special element – with all finalists still in with a chance to be crowned the winner of the Wildcard Award, voted by the public.

The artist receiving the most votes will receive a €2,500 bursary to support the next stage of their musical journey.

You can vote for East Coast FM's Local Hero Niamh Beatrix HERE!

In keeping with the wider aim of Irish Music Month to support and develop emerging Irish talent, all regional Local Heroes are invited to take part in a special day of music industry mentoring, networking and professional photo-shoots ahead of the live finale on October 28th.

The sessions will offer artists the opportunity to connect with experienced figures from across the music industry, gaining practical advice on recording, live performance, radio, media coverage and building a sustainable career in music!

Niamh Beatrix

15 year-old South African–Irish singer-songwriter Niamh Beatrix Smith is an emerging young artist who lives in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.  At 14, Niamh was selected to sing the South African national anthem alongside the Irish Army Band at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, performing in front of more than 40,000 people at the Ireland Vs South Africa international. She was also a Top 3 finalist in Junior Eurovision Ireland.  

The other three amazing artists from our final four were:

Cedalia

Hailing from North Wicklow/South Dublin and formed in 2024, Cedalia are an indie/math rock five-piece and are already making waves in the Irish rock world. Their music comprises a range of influences including math rock, pop, progressive rock and more.  They have already established themselves as a strong player in the country's rock scene, having played shows in key venues in the capital, such as the Grand Social and the Soundhouse. They are currently preparing to record their debut album.

https://www.instagram.com/cedalia.band?stkn=MWRmNDVza2NsemUzaw==

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OCuvWvNjNOUXn0QSlT1G4

Skipper's Revenge

Skipper's Revenge are a six piece disco-funk band that formed in 2024. Four of the group met in Templeogue College with two more members joining the band later. They are known for high energy live performances and fun and groovy music. They have a dedicated brass section made up of saxophone and trumpet and their debut EP launches soon. They have played many gigs including at Whelan's, The Grand Social and The Workman's Club in Dublin.

https://www.instagram.com/skippers_revenge.band/ 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TfkOmTuV9lu3Jv43zO1PE 

Ellisha 

Ellisha (Taylor) is a 20 year old County Wicklow native from Newcastle.  Equally passionate about singing and songwriting, some of her music has enjoyed airplay on East Coast FM and she has performed as part of the East Coast FM Wicklo Wide Coffee Morning (in aid of the county's cancer support services and The Wicklow Hospice). Her music delivers raw innocence and catchy tunes!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oyA8S7FcMBLjJOl9OY56p

Keep an eye on our socials and keep in touch with Hot Press and irishmusicmonth.ie

Did you know we’re also looking for an original Irish language song?!

Yes we’re looking for Amhrán na Laoch or 'song of the heroes'

So if you or someone you know is writing songs ‘as Gaeilge’ or wants to try their hand at performing one of their songs ‘as Gaeilge’ or collaborating with someone on a blended bearla agus gaeilige amhrán then tell them to submit that song at irish music month dot ie

 If your song is chosen you win: 

 –     €2,500 prize money

–     Music industry mentoring & support & the opportunity to release a song

–     Independent Irish radio station airplay across the country

–     Guaranteed coverage and support from Hot Press

–     And the opportunity to perform live at the New Local hero Grand Finale National Final @ The Academy, Dublin in October

Find out more and enter at 

https://www.hotpress.com/music/amhran-na-laoch-songwriting-competition-confirmed-for-irish-music-month-2026-supported-by-an-post-23156748

 Cén seans, cén deis!