Overview: A Night of Irish Talent on RTÉ Choice Music Prize
On a memorable night in March 2025, the RTÉ Choice Music Prize spotlight shone on a standout Irish act: the band Silverbacks. Their energetic live set, captured and celebrated during the RTÉ event, was a key moment in a year that showcased the breadth and vitality of Ireland’s indie scene. Dan Hegarty, host of 2FM’s The Alternative, brought listeners a compelling wrap-up of the performance, weaving in context about the band’s exciting trajectory and their nomination for Irish Album of the Year for their record Easy Being A Winner.
Dan Hegarty: The Voice Connecting Fans to Live Moments
Dan Hegarty has long been a trusted guide to Ireland’s alternative and indie music landscape. In this installment of The Alternative, he curates a concise but evocative snapshot of Silverbacks’ live energy at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize. His narration helps fans feel the room—the subtle hums of anticipation, the sharp applause following each track, and the raw, lived-in sound of a band at the height of their form. For listeners following the Irish Album of the Year conversations, Dan’s commentary adds a layer of storytelling that complements the musical selection.
The Silverbacks at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize: What Stood Out
The performance embodied the band’s knack for marrying tight, jangly guitar work with punchy rhythm sections. Tracks from Easy Being A Winner carried a swaggering confidence, yet retained a sense of playful experimentation that has become a hallmark of Silverbacks’ approach. The live rendition of favored tracks offered a new texture—guitar tones that popped with clarity, basslines that throbbed with subtle menace, and vocals that carried a candid, almost conversational energy. The Irish Album of the Year nomination underscored the quality of their studio work, while the live set demonstrated how those songs transform in performance, inviting the audience into a communal, electric moment.
Why This Moment Resonated with Fans
Live performances at award events carry extra weight: they’re a public affirmation of a band’s craft, an opportunity to convert listening interest into a lasting impression. Silverbacks’ RTÉ set did just that. Listeners who caught the broadcast or the recap felt the warmth of a band that knows its strengths—anthemic hooks paired with nuanced dynamics. For fans of Irish indie, the moment reinforced the value of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize as a platform that amplifies homegrown artistry and helps tracks and albums reach new listeners beyond club nights and festival stages.
What This Means for the Future of Silverbacks
The nod for Easy Being A Winner places Silverbacks in a select company of Irish acts recognized for their enduring creative vision. The RTÉ performance, as highlighted by Dan Hegarty, serves as a bridge between the album’s studio precision and the band’s live prowess. As the music landscape continues to evolve, bands like Silverbacks exemplify the power of compelling live shows to diversify fanbases, spark new collaborations, and sustain momentum between releases.
Listen Again: Where Fans Can Catch Dan Hegarty’s Highlights
For listeners who want to dive back into Dan Hegarty’s curated moments, The Alternative episode from January 29, 2026, offers a digest that foregrounds Silverbacks while situating their performance within the broader RTÉ Prize ecosystem. It’s a reminder of how radio can shape conversations around new music and bring attention to songs and albums that deserve sustained discovery.
Conclusion: A Milestone Performance in a Milestone Year
The Silverbacks’ RTÉ Choice Music Prize performance, as presented by Dan Hegarty, marks a milestone not just for the band but for the Irish indie scene’s ability to produce work that resonates in both studio and live contexts. With Easy Being A Winner in the spotlight, fans can anticipate more bold moves, more memorable live moments, and more conversations sparked by standout performances like this one.
