Waterford singer / songwriter Carrie Baxter lost out to Chameleon who were crowned overall winner of the "A New Local Hero Award" at the Academy in Dublin last night.
The competition began in October as part of Irish Music Month, when 25 local stations across Ireland, including WLR, ran a Local Hero Search.
The shortlist of five were, in alphabetical order, Carrie Baxter (WLR), Chameleon (98FM), Fintan McKahey (96FM), Leah Moran (Spin 1038) and Mia Yermeche (FM104).
Representatives from across the Irish music industry were there to watch five of Ireland's most promising stars-in-the-making showcasing their talents. The acts brought their own unique styles and flavours to the evening – from jazz-infused neo-soul to funk-flavoured pop – highlighting the remarkable range of Irish music in 2021.
Despite brilliant performances from all of the acts, there could only be one winner – with Chameleon ultimately winning over the judges.
Broadcaster and Waterford native Trishauna Archer was on hosting duties with Irish music legend Tom Dunne.
The winner gets €5,000 in cash, as well as €5,000 worth of music equipment, plus the chance to record a song at Rubyworks studios in Dublin.
Carrie Baxter
Up first is the soulful Waterford sensation @iamcarriebaxter!
She whips out recent single 'Something in the Water' from her debut EP 'What Then?'.#ANewLocalHero #IrishMusicMonth @wlrfm pic.twitter.com/QpDVycFC6u— Hot Press (@hotpress) November 18, 2021
Carrie Baxter is one of the most thrilling voices in the Irish music scene right now. Hailing from Waterford City, she is independently forging a career out of her unique vocal tones and her versatile songwriting abilities that can cross from Motown to 90s club tracks and back again.
2021 sees Carrie head out on her first headline tour of the UK and Ireland, play her first festivals and release her sophomore EP, What Now.
About Irish Music Month
Irish Music Month ran for the month of October as a way to promote Irish artists and bands. It saw a significant increase in Irish music on radio across 25 independent stations, including on WLR. As a result of the initiative, €100,000 will be paid directly to Irish artists. The campaign was coordinated by Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and music publication Hot Press.
Irish Music Month was supported by the BAI, under its Sound & Vision scheme. Other supporters of the project include XL Retail group, MCD Concerts, IMRO and RAAP.
Judges for the A New Local Hero award include representatives from IMRO, RAAP, RubyWorks, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and Hot Press, as well as musicians and songwriters, Ruth-Anne Cunningham and Róisín O.
