The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) is delighted to announce that the seventh IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards will take place on Tuesday 3rd February 2015 at IMRO HQ in Dublin.
The shortlist (below) was announced this morning via the IMRO building by Victor Finn (IMRO Chief Executive).
The annual awards celebrate the dedication and passion of those who work in Ireland’s live music venues, providing the public with an exceptional live music experience, week in, week out.
More than 10,000 IMRO members considered hundreds of venues across the country for the shortlist. Venues were judged on their commitment to providing the core elements that make for a great live music venue – atmosphere, sound and lighting, staging, diversity of programming and importantly, the staff and management of each venue. IMRO members also voted on Ireland’s music festivals, delivering a shortlist of their top ten festivals.
Live music venues and festivals play a vital role in the music industry in Ireland, giving international and homegrown artists a platform to engage with fans and build new audiences. They also play a central role in urban and rural communities across the country, providing a social gathering space for varied audiences, and contributing hugely to the domestic economy.
Of the Awards, Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive said, “Over the years these Awards have become a much sought after industry accolade. They also highlight the vital economic and social contribution that venues and festivals make to local economies and the enormous role they play in providing a public platform for Irish & international songwriters and performers”.
At the ceremony in IMRO HQ in Dublin on February 3rd, awards will be presented to the leading live music venue in each of the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin), Connacht, Munster and Ulster (Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan). The IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year will also be presented on the night.
One overall award will be presented to the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. This award is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions.
Live music fans should simply log on to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/imrovenueawards choose their favourite from the shortlist provided, by February 2nd. One lucky voter will win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.
The Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year Readers Poll will also be part of the awards and Hot Press fans can vote at http://www.hotpress.com/readerspoll/vote.php?id=13208103&action=view
“Ireland has a wonderfully vibrant music scene right now,” Niall Stokes, editor of Hot Press said, “with a fresh wave of talent coming through and making impressive waves internationally. But with sales of albums having fallen dramatically, live music is more important than ever, as the lifeblood of the industry. Which makes it crucial that we have great venues all over Ireland in which our songwriters, artists and bands can find their voices, build their experience and win support.
“The votes from the public for our best venues have been flooding in on http://www.hotpress.com/hotpressreaderspoll2014/
,confirming that the IMRO Live Music Venue Awards are hugely important, as a way of nurturing and rewarding excellence. We are really looking forward to seeing who comes out on top!”
IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year / Festival of the Year 2014 Shortlist
IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2014
The Grand Social, Dublin 1
Sweeney’s, Dublin 2
Vicar St, Dublin 8
Whelan’s, Dublin 2
The Academy, Dublin 1
IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014
Cleere’s Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny
Katie Daly’s Cellar Bar, Wexford
Number 1, Mullingar, Westmeath
The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
Wexford Arts Centre
IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2014
The Quays Bar, Galway
Monroes, Galway
Roisin Dubh, Galway
Matt Molloy’s, Mayo
Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014
Coughlan’s, Cork
De Barra’s, Cork
Dolans, Limerick
Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Kerry
University Concert Hall, Limerick
IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014
Mc Kenna’s Bar, Monaghan
Voodoo Venue, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
McGrory’s of Culdaff, Donegal
Hotel Kilmore, Cavan
McGinley’s, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
IMRO Music Festival of the Year 2014
Body & Soul
Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival
Cork Jazz Festival
The Baltimore Fiddle Fair
Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival
Indiependence Music & Arts Festival
Kilkenny Roots Festival
Spiegeltent Festival Wexford
Vantastival
Longitude
