15 YEARS. 15 ALBUMS. NI MUSIC PRIZE REVEALS 2026 SHORTLISTS

Record public vote as NI Music Prize marks its 15th year

The NI Music Prize has revealed its 2026 shortlists for Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Live Act of the Year, as the awards celebrate a major milestone – 15 years of championing music from Northern Ireland.

This year will see 15 albums progress to the final Album of the Year judging panel.

The 2026 Prize has also attracted more public votes than ever before, reflecting growing engagement with the awards and the breadth of music being created across Northern Ireland.

“This has been one of the toughest years to date. The quality and number of outstanding releases has been exceptional, and there are equally brilliant records that haven’t made the final 15. That says something about the strength and breadth of music being made here right now. We could never have planned the 15 albums in our 15th year, but it feels like a fitting way to mark the anniversary. Huge respect goes to everyone who has poured their heart and soul into making music over the past 12 months, and to everyone in the Academy and the public who listened and voted.”
- Charlotte Dryden, Oh Yeah

The Prize began in 2011 as the Northern Ireland Music Awards – the NIMAs – an ambitious pilot partnership between Oh Yeah Music Centre and AU Magazine. Created from a shared belief that Northern Irish artists deserved a major platform to celebrate their work in front of audiences, media and the wider music industry, the inaugural event took place at the Ulster Hall during Belfast Music Week, as the MTV Europe Music Awards came to the city.

Fifteen award years later, the Prize has grown to recognise albums, singles, live acts, songwriters, producers and creators, alongside special awards honouring those who have made an outstanding contribution to music.

Hundreds of artists have been nominated, shortlisted and performed on the NI Music Prize stage over those 15 years, but its purpose remains the same: to celebrate great music from Northern Ireland and give the people making it the recognition and platform they deserve.

The NI Music Prize returns to the Ulster Hall on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

15 years. 15 albums. One remarkable year for Northern Irish music.