The NI Music Prize has confirmed that this year’s awards will go ahead with an online broadcast on November 12th. The event, which will take place at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, will be a virtual show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organised by Oh Yeah, produced by MEP (Mike Edgar Production) and streaming live as a YouTube Premiere, the awards plan to bring as much live experience as possible to audiences at home. There will be brand new performances from shortlisted acts including Arborist, Careerist, Joshua Burnside, Kitt Philippa, Phil Kieran and Sasha Samara.

Rigsy (DJ & Broadcaster) and Gemma Bradley (Presenter, BBC ATL Introducing) will present the show. There will be guest contributors, with live announcements and presentations as well as some previously unseen footage including the Snow Patrol performance from last year’s incredible event at the Ulster Hall.

The awards include Best Album supported by PPL - Phonographic Performance Ltd, Best Single supported by Help Musicians, the Oh Yeah Contender Award in association with Across The Line Introducing and Best Live Act. The winners of three categories will be awarded a cash prize of £1,000 and £3,000 will go to the winner of Best Album.

A panel will decide Best Album on Nov 12th and voting is now open to the public for the other three shortlists. Voting closes on Nov 11th at midnight.