So it's congratulations to Foy Vance, whose remarkable full length sophomore 'Joy of Nothing' is the Northern Ireland album of the year, at least according to the 'Northern Ireland Music Prize' panel of journalists, broadcasters and promoters. There's no real need for us to debate further the validity of this award - that's been done. What really stood out for us about the Northern Ireland Music Prize however, was the impressive diversity of the fourteen nominated records. All over the place, in the best possible way.
As for Foy - lets recall the moment we reckon he became a superstar. Despite Snow Patrol turning up as surprise guests, Therapy? doing 'Teenage Kicks' alongside a load of their peers, Divine Comedy nailing a very curious Pixies cover and a load of other stand out moments at our Ulster Hall reopening show in March 2009, it was Foy Vance who completely stole the show. That night was the first time we heard 'Be The Song'. And while it didn't even make the aforementioned sophomore album, it remains one of the great Northern Irish songs of this century, so far.
Even Monica from Friends is a fan....
Here's Foy performing it in session for us a few months later. Enjoy.