RTÉ Choice Music Prize: Breakthrough Artist of The Year shortlist

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by RTE, click this post to read the original article.

The Choice Music Prize Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year shortlist has been revealed, celebrating the most exciting new talent in Irish music.

The winner will be announced live on RTÉ 2FM in a special Choice Music Prize show from Vicar St, Dublin on Thursday 5th March, hosted by Beta Da Silva and featuring performances from some of the shortlisted artists for Album Of The Year 2025 – tickets are on sale now.

Irish Breakthrough Artist of The Year – the shortlist

With over 100 million streams, sold-out tours across continents, and a summer stint supporting Hozier, rising folk-trio Amble won acclaim for their debut album Reverie.

Irish collective Bricknasty continue to defy expectations, pushing musical boundaries with their genre-blurring mix of soul, hip-hop and experimental energy.

Cork’s Cliffords have quickly made their mark with sharp melodies and a confident indie edge, resulting in a stream of killer singles. Are they the next great Irish guitar band?

Following the release of their debut album Have At It!, DUG have won kudos for a sound that echoes the great American folk troubadours while channelling the elder statespeople of Irish folk.

Raised on a council estate in Dublin, acclaimed rapper KhakiKid has been refreshingly candid about his experiences growing up with ADHD and his journey to reconnect with his Arab-Irish roots.

The Tracy Clifford Show on 2FM will continue to broadcast a week of Choice Music Prize announcements and activities, including further details on the additional prizes and the Irish Song of the Year prize.

Find out more about the Choice Music Prize here