Choice Prize shows Irish music industry in rude good health

There’s nothing like an awards show to get people talking. Since its foundation in 2005, the Choice Music Prize has become a focal point for the Irish music industry.

This year’s Meteor Choice Music Prize took place in the Olympia on Thursday last. All ten acts who were nominated for album of the year were slated to perform, and the event was compered by Today FM's Paul McLoone. As techies scurried busily on the stage, he introduced the opening act.

Tieranniesaur are a seven-piece Dublin based outfit that play a kind of indie/dance fusion that will be familiar to fans of LCD Soundsystem. Their bass player was entertainingly loose-limbed but, overall, the performance lacked punch. However, this is a young band who are still finding their feet, and the nomination for their self-titled debut is impressive in itself.

Next up were We Cut Corners, an act that McLoone said made “other bands look overstaffed”. And it’s true – there are only two of them! Lead singer Conall Ó Breacháin stood stage centre and unleashed an impressive voice, while John Duignan backed him on electric guitar. It was a canny move, and Ó Breacháin drew the crowd in. For the next song, he sat behind the drum kit and let loose – while singing. Duignan matched him for noise and when the songs ended the crowd are whooping. If the prize were based on live performance, these guys would have to be a shoe-in.

The Japanese Popstars are an electronic trio from Derry. The banks of equipment that were wheeled on stage pointed to the diversity the Choice Prize aims to celebrate – music made on computers is as valid as that made on a guitar. Two tracks were played from Controlling Your Allegiance and while it was hard for dance music to connect with a largely seated audience, you could imagine The Japanese Popstars going down a bomb in a tent at the Electric Picnic.

Up next were Cashier No. 9, a Belfast based six-piece who were among the favourites to scoop this year’s prize. To The Death Of Fun has a bright, Californian feel to it and was one of 2011’s most lauded Irish releases.

Bringing to mind the vocal harmonies of The Byrds, Cashier No. 9 still bring something original to the table. Their songs catch the ear, and hopefully they’ll get plenty of airtime this year. Live, they were slick and impressive with percussionist Phillip Wallace looking dapper in a bowler hat while taking a harmonica solo. They will play Galway on April 21, when they visit the Róisín Dubh and are well worth checking out.

This year, a new element was introduced to the Meteor Choice Music Prize – the award for Song of the Year. It had a Galway interest, with The Kanyu Tree’s Radio deservedly in contention. Unfortunately, the McCluskey brothers were pipped by Royseven for their song We Should be Lovers. There was some confusion as to whether Royseven were actually in the Olympia, and the techies were soon back on stage to prepare for the next act.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.