Popular Derry band in the running for the top award in Northern Irish music

A Derry band has been shortlisted for the most prestigious award in Northern Irish music.

Twelve albums have been shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize 2016.

Among those shortlisted is 'The Devil Is A Songbird' by local band Ports.

The winner will be announced at an awards night at the Mandela Hall in Belfast.

More than 70 judges were contacted from the Northern Ireland music industry and music media.

They were invited to cast their votes for the best album of the last 12 months.

There will be a second round of voting and the winning album will be announced at the November 11 event.

The shortlisted acts are:

The Bonnevilles – Arrow Pierce My Heart

Ciaran Lavery – Let Bad In

David C Clements – The Longest Day In History

Documenta – Drone Pop #1

exmagician – Scan The Blue

Foy Vance – The Wild Swan

Girls Names – Arms Around A Vision

Jealous of the Birds – Parma Violets

Michael Mormecha – LOFi LiFE

Ports – The Devil Is A Songbird

Ryan Vail – For Every Silence

Sea Pinks – Soft Days

The NI Music Prize In Association With Blue Moon is produced by the Oh Yeah music centre and is also supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The awards event will feature live music on the night from Ports, Jealous Of The Birds and Girls Names.