A nationwide search for Ireland’s next big music star got under way today with the launch of the second annual Star Nation competition, giving aspiring songwriters and musicians a chance to win €3,000 of music equipment, a recording session in one of Ireland’s most famous studios, a performance slot at a renowned acoustic music club and a chance to play a showcase gig at a top Irish venue.

The brainchild of Irish-owned pizza chain Four Star Pizza, ‘Star Nation’ calls on musicians across the island to submit one original song for a unique opportunity to grab themselves a slice of success, increase their profile, and win some very tasty prizes.

Four provincial winners will be selected to compete in the Grand Final at renowned live music venue The Roisin Dubh in Galway, the home city of last year’s winners Turnstiles, a punk band whose blistering final performance saw them see off stiff competition from other provincial winners Riley Holland (Ulster), DALY (Leinster) and Clara Belle (Munster).

This year’s prizes include:

The overall winner will receive €3,000 of musical equipment from leading music store MusicMaker in Dublin, described by Glen Hansard as ‘a vital artery in the Dublin rock scene’ with visitors over the years including the likes of U2, Blondie, Muse, Fun Loving Criminals, Manic Street Preachers and The National.

 All four provincial winners will receive a one-day recording session at the renowned Windmill Lane Recording Studios, following in the footsteps of artists like David Bowie, Lady Gaga, U2, Van Morrison, Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, The Rolling Stones, New Order, The Spice Girls, Kodaline and Snow Patrol… to name but a few.

This year’s competition will include a new ‘People’s Choice’ award in which the public will vote for one of the four finalists to perform at the prestigious Ruby Sessions in Dublin, which has hosted the likes of Ed Sheeran, Damien Rice, Paul Brady, Hozier and many more.

How to enter

Star Nation is free to enter and musicians can submit their track to Four Star Pizza online before the closing date of midday, July 13, 2020.  All entries must be completely original compositions and only one song per artist can be submitted.  Entrants must be over 18, resident in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland and willing to participate in promotional activity if selected. 

A judging panel including representatives from Four Star Pizza, MusicMaker and Windmill Lane will select a winner from each province, with all four provincial winners receiving a day’s recording at Windmill Lane.

The four provincial winners will then battle it out on social media for a chance to win The People’s Choice Award with the prize being a performance slot at the iconic Ruby Sessions in Dublin.

The Grand Final showcase event at The Roisin Dubh in Galway on September 12 will see all four provincial winners compete for the overall title and a voucher for €3,000 of musical equipment courtesy of Music Maker.

Full details on how to enter along with terms and conditions for entry, which must be read and agreed, can be found at www.fourstarpizza.ie/star-nation and don’t forget to use #StarNation2020 on social media if you are posting about the competition.