NI Music Awards hailed as a ‘moment of positivity’ in challenging times

Musicians from across Northern Ireland attended the awards ceremony in the Ulster Hall on Wednesday night.

Strabane folk and pop singer Paul Brady received the Oh Yeah Legend Award, presented by the Irish Music Rights Organisation.

The event, organised by the Oh Yeah Music Centre, aimed to showcase some of the best musical talent the country has to offer.

There were performances from Chalk, Problem Patterns, Conor Mallon, Ferna, Winnie Ama and last year’s ATL Artist of The Year winners The Florentinas.

As well as Brady winning the Oh Yeah Legend Award, the band Chalk won a bursary award of £3,000 from the Joe Cassidy Chrysalis Award – a special award that was created by friends and family of the Chicago-based Belfast artist.

Arborist won album of the year, an award that was presented by Vic Galloway of BBC Scotland and Peter Leathem CEO of PPL.

Public vote for Single of The Year went to Moonboot for ‘To U’. Chalk also picked up the Live Act award.

Problem Patterns was presented with the Music Video Market Place sponsored Video for ‘Who Do We Not Save’ and the BBC Introducing: ATL Artist of The Year award went to Tramp.

Charlotte Dryden from Oh Yeah said the ceremony was a great night for the music industry in Northern Ireland.

“We might be living in some of the most challenging times, but tonight was a needed moment of positivity,” she said.

“Recognition and acknowledgment for music creators is more important than ever and we thank our sponsors and supporters for getting behind that.

“Congratulations to all the acts tonight. Music moves people in many ways and tonight that was available to everyone.”