The eighth Meteor Choice Music Prize returns next March. After taking place in the Olympia Theatre for the first time earlier this year, the ceremony will return to Vicar Street on Thursday, March 7th.

A panel of 11 media professionals will decide on the winner of the best Irish album of 2012, which will be chosen from a shortlist of 10 albums to be announced on January 9th. Once again, the show will be broadcast live on Paul McLoone’s Today FM show.

After its introduction to the process in 2012, the Irish Song of the Year award will also return in 2013, and will be decided by a public vote via facebook.com/meteor after the shortlist is announced on January 30th.

The Ticket’s Tony Clayton-Lea is the non-voting chairman of the judging panel. “As each year passes, it never fails to amaze that so many Irish acts release albums,” he said. “2012 is no exception, but it’s not just the quantity that impresses, it’s also the quality.”

choicemusicprize.com