Hope award shortlist

Autumn Owls, Fred, House of Cosy Cushions, James Vincent McMorrow and Wallis Bird will fight it out to secure the Meteor Hope for 2009 Award, which is essentially Best New Band. Kells act Ham Sandwich won it last year. The winner will be decided by public ballot and announced at the ceremony on March 17th. Fans can cast their vote at www.rte.ie/2fm from February 23rd to March 5th.