With many industry commentators saying that 2010 has been possibly the most creative year in history for Irish music, it seems like perfect timing for the foundation of a new awards ceremony to big up our thriving indigenous scene.

The first Digital Socket Awards, which is being organised by Irish bloggers Peter Nagle, Aidan Cuffe, Naomi McArdle and Ronan Hunt-Murphy, will take place amid flurries of applause and live music at the Grand Social in Dublin on February 3rd.

The public are invited to nominate their favourite artists in 14 separate categories at digitalsocketawards.ie.

Nominations will be open until 9pm on December 23rd, after which a group of 26 bloggers (myself included) will vote on a shortlist of three finalists, who will be up for each handmade award.

"Rather than confine the brilliant Irish music of 2010 to our blogs, we felt that a fun, live-music event would be the best way to recognise what has been one of the greatest years for new music that anyone can remember," said McArdle.