Irish Music Month
98FM's finalist Chameleon was crowned overall winner of A New Local Hero at the final showcase last night.
The competition began in October as part of Irish Music Month, when 25 local stations across Ireland, including 98FM, ran a Local Hero Search.
Matthew Harris, aka @chameleonwav, is storming his eclectic set, featuring a pink telephone and his trademark hair art 💚🖤#IrishMusicMonth #ANewLocalHero @IBIreland @RAAP_Ireland @xmusicireland @IMROireland @BAItweets @98FM pic.twitter.com/rK1qB7WVan
— Hot Press (@hotpress) November 18, 2021
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 attended The Academy 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.
Having established himself as a remarkable force in Irish music through his collaborations with Malaki, Matthew Harris (aka Chameleon) has stepped into the spotlight as a spectacular solo artist this year.
Drawing influence from the likes of James Blake, Brockhampton and Arlo Parks, the Dublin-based artist released a collaborative single, You Know with Lucy McWilliams earlier this year.
He takes home €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.
A New Local Hero has been a centre-piece of Irish Music Month – an initiative of Hot Press and Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, funded by the BAI, under its Sound & Vision scheme, and supported by XL Retail, MCD Productions, IMRO, RAAP and XMusic.
Irish Music Month is supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from its Sound & Vision fund and by XL Retail. It is also supported by MCD Productions, IMRO, RAAP and XMusic.
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