Entry Criteria

Submissions are now closed. Keep an eye on our socials for exciting updates!

A) Eligible singles, albums or videos must have been released between 15th July 2023 - 14th July 2024 and can be submitted by bands/artists/management and or fans.

B) The Live Act category is open for PUBLIC nominations only. You must have seen a live act you are nominating between 15th July 2023 – 14th July 2024.

  • Nominate the best live act from Northern Ireland that you have seen over the last 12 months.

  • We will not accept entries for cover bands or acts that do regular cover nights in pubs.

  • We will not accept club DJ nominations, but EDM/producer/live electronic acts with original live shows do qualify.

  • We are seeking original live music and the act you nominate should be gigging/touring original music.

  • The event must have been a promoted live venue show that was ticketed (either free or paid) or part of a festival line-up.

  • If a band covers a song as part of their set, that is fine, but the band/act you are nominating must be gigging original music.


C) Albums/Singles must consist of previously unreleased material. Album/Single reissues, multi-artist compilations, ‘Best Of’ collections, EPs and live albums (largely featuring previously released material) are ineligible. Albums must be clearly marked as ALBUMS and not EPs and must consist of six or more tracks and/or over 30 minutes in length. All genres of music are eligible for the NI Music Prize.

D) We can only accept ONE Album from the same act for submission. An album must have had a digital release and have been made available for purchase in Northern Ireland by the general public for the first time during the qualifying period through any of the following outlets: any high street music retailer; digital retailer, record label or artist website (including Bandcamp, social media etc.) Free downloads (with the artist’s express consent) are also eligible. We cannot accept physical only releases; a digital online version must be available.

E) We can only accept ONE Single from the same act for submission. The single must have had a digital release and have been made available for purchase in Northern Ireland by the general public for the first time during the qualifying period through any of the following outlets: any high street music retailer; digital retailer, record label or artist website (including Bandcamp, social media etc.) Free downloads (with the artist’s express consent) are also eligible. We cannot accept physical only releases; a digital online version must be available.

F) Video Criteria - Submissions must be music videos created specifically to promote and support the release of a single released between 15th July 2023 - 14th July 2024

  • Video submissions should be made by the band/act/management or fans of the band.

  • Video must be hosted on YouTube and is available to the public for viewing as part of the single release campaign. No private or unlisted links. 

  • We will not accept live footage from gigs or shows unless it was captured with the intention of producing a video to promote a single release.

  • We will not accept videos of cover songs.

  • We will not accept TV appearances, vlogs, studio, podcast clips or sessions.

  • We will not accept documentary or art project submissions.

  • At least 50% of the team involved in making the video should be born, based or living in NI for at least 2 years.

  • For the purposes of this award, a video will be deemed to have been released by a “Northern Irish Artist” when: the artist was born in Northern Ireland; at least 50% of the band’s core members were born in NI (session musicians will not be considered); artist or band, irrespective of nationality, has made their creative base in NI for the past two years.


G) If more than one album, single, video by the same artist is submitted for consideration by different people, the artist’s first preference will be the one that will be put forward for consideration.

H) For an entry to be eligible you MUST provide a link to demonstrate its official release as an Album/Single/Video (Evidence can be a link to press coverage, website/social media/press announcement or online review for example, more details on the entry form)

I) For the purposes of this award, albums/singles will be deemed to have been recorded by a “Northern Irish Artist” when: the artist was born in Northern Ireland; at least 50% of the band’s core members were born in NI (session musicians will not be considered); an artist or band, irrespective of nationality, has made their creative base in NI for the past two years.

 

For info on what happens after entries have been submitted, click here.
Any queries can be sent to info@nimusicprize.com