GIT Award 2013 - date, venue and charity partner confirmed

Liverpool's GIT Award 2013 - date, venue and charity partner confirmed

LIVERPOOL’S GIT Award 2013 will take place at Leaf on Bold Street on Friday April 19, where the shortlisted artists are expected to perform – with the winner collecting £1000 in prize money on the night.

The GIT Award, dubbed ‘the Scouse Mercury Prize,’ enjoyed a hugely successful inaugural year in 2012 and the stakes will be even higher when the 2013 winner of this now established award is revealed later this year.

The evening at Leaf, which also played host to last year’s ceremony, is invite only and will include performances from those shortlisted. The shortlist, which will be announced in March, will be devised by a 12-strong judging panel including 6 Music’s Tom Ravenscroft, Q editor Andrew Harrison, NME radar editor Matt Wilkinson plus the cornerstones of the Liverpool music scene.

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of £1000 while a special Inspiration Award, recognising significant outstanding achievement to Liverpool’s music industry (won last year by the team behind Liverpool venue, The Kazimier), will also be presented.

Natalie Haywood, owner of Leaf said: "We are delighted to host the GIT Award at Leaf for the second year running. It is a highlight of our events and Liverpool's music calendar. We can't wait to open up the doors and the stage to Merseyside's hottest artists. Last year's showcase was such a fantastic party and we are ready for round two!"

GIT Award organiser Peter Guy said: “I couldn’t be happier to be working with Leaf again. Last year’s event was a stellar night with respected industry figures from around the country travelling to Liverpool to see our very best musicians performing live. Leaf and their staff played a significant part in ensuring a spectacular first year for The GIT Award.”

Former Liverpool Art Prize nominee, Jayne Lawless, will design and make this year’s GIT Award and The Inspiration Award.

Jayne, a fine art graduate from Anfield, has exhibited work in London, New York and Poland, said: “I’m really pleased to have been asked to make this year’s Awards. After meeting with Peter I had a good sense of the ethos of the awards and felt inspired by a fellow ‘doer!’ I am passionate about music and art so it was an easy decision. I am a sculptor that has worked in many different materials, from welding steel to painting nylon tights with yacht resin. I respond to the environment and individual project I’m working on and am looking forward to this challenge.”

Liverpool-founded charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) has been chosen as the official charity partner of the GIT Award,  fresh from winning a Guardian Charity Award and announcing its three new Merseyside Music Ambassadors; GIT Award nominee Esco Williams, Stephen Langstaff and Anton Powers.

Merseyside CALMzone co-coordinator Simon Howes said: “Music is one of the most powerful outlets there is. The region’s music scene expresses heartache, worries and innermost thoughts every night of the week in rehearsal spaces, bedrooms, studios and stages to audiences of thousands and in private. To be the charity partner for an event as iconic as the GIT Award is a privilege for us and a testament to the long love affair we've had with Merseyside music since our launch in 2000.”

GIT Award organiser Peter Guy adds: "Adding a charity partner to the development of the GIT Award is a natural step for us to take.  We couldn’t ask for a better fit, the guys at CALM do a first class job and work tirelessly within the local music sector helping so many get help and support.  We’re really excited to be working more closely with them."

Since its inception the GIT award has captured the music industry’s attention, becoming the first regional award of its kind to champion new and emerging music and garnering national and international industry and press recognition.

Liverpool has long been considered a hotbed of musical talent and The GIT Award is committed to putting the city’s most innovative new bands and artists on the national and international stage.  The closing date for entries is February 28 2013.

To enter this year’s prize musicians are asked to send four tracks to getintothis@gmail.com or post to Peter Guy, The GIT Award, Liverpool ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

Businesses who would like to get involved can email getintothis@gmail.com for more information.