The submission process for the Northern Irish Music Prize is open, with local bands being asked to submit albums and singles which will make up this year's longlist.
The NI Music Prize is an annual award ceremony which recognises the best in local talent, with awards for Best Album, Best Single, Best Live Act and best Newcomer. The awards, which carry a cash prize, have previously been won by artists such as SOAK, Foy Vance and Joshua Burnside.
The Prize organisers have announced that the NI Music Prize is taking submissions for albums and singles, meaning that local acts have the opportunity to get their music onto the longlist.
In a statement shared this morning, the NI Music Prize said: "It has been the toughest year for music, but there has been no shortage of incredible releases and creativity. Outstanding music has been released, music that kept us going, inspired us, entertained us, brought us escapism and most of all hope.
"That is why despite all of the challenges that our music community has faced in the last year, we are delighted to announce that we will be proceeding with plans for 2021.
"The NI Music Prize 2021 will take place on Wednesday 17th Nov. We are working on how we might present the event and more details will be announced soon.
"For now we are very pleased to announce that the submission process is open from Mon 5th July - Monday 26th July."
You can find full details about how albums or singles can be submitted, as well as details about the shortlist, here.
