Liverpool Music Awards 2012

This Saturday saw the first Liverpool Music Awards take place at the Grand Dome Central. The night saw a gathering of musicians and music industry people coming together to celebrate the music produced,performed and celebrated in Liverpool.

With the likes of Mel C (of spice girls fame) and Liverpool Band The Wombats announcing rewards most couldn't argue with the calibre of guests and artists at the awards.

Hosted by Janice Long, who gave a confident and professional  presentation throughout, announced the guests and artists performing of which included MOBO winner Esco Williams, Charlie Blue, Lawson and X-Factor singer Craig Colton to name but a few. 

Winners on the night included Rebbecca Ferguson for best female, Hummingbirds as the Ones to Watch, Single of the year going to the Tea Street Band for Summer Dreaming, Ali Ingle for best male artist.

The show on a whole was a great addition to the music scene and celebrating Liverpool talent and teams/people behind it. 

My only reservation to the night was the organisation of the event and of the people that matter most, (who without them there wouldn't be an awards show), the paying public. Leaving people standing outside for over an hour without a word of explanation is not the best way to start an inaugural event. The somewhat clueless security and staff, peering through the glass doors didn't help and the confusion continued once into the event with staff not knowing where people were to be seated or even where their passes/tickets were located. 

This was in stark contrast to the V.I.P. section who enjoyed red carpets and champagne receptions. I just hope that this doesn't go the way of most UK events where the people that have gone to the trouble to support, buy tickets and vote for the artists and events are over-looked. There wasn't even any acknowledgement from most of the recipients of the awards that the public were even in the building.

But aside from that, the whole event went without hitch and brought together a varied mix of musicians and artists and allowed the up and coming to mingle with the established in great surroundings and a celebratory atmosphere. 

Winners
Live Music Night - Liverpool Acoustic
Producer - Mike Cave
Live Music Venue - Kazimier
Record Label - 3Beat
Manager - Charlotte Bowers
Single - Tea Street Band "Summer Dreaming"
One To Watch - The Hummingbirds
DJ - Lee Butler
Band Of The Year - Stealing Sheep
Recording Studio - Parr Street
Male Artist - Ali Ingle
Female Artist - Rebecca Ferguson
Album - Ian McNabb "Little Episodes"
Local Music Champion - Phil Hayes (The Picket)
Outstanding Contribution - Dave Pichilingi
Lifetime Achievement - Roger Hill

Mel C announced to appear at Liverpool Music Awards

Mel C to join Lawson, The Wombats, Liz McClarnon and Esco Williams at the first ever Liverpool Music Awards  - Saturday 17 November 2012

Melanie C has announced that she will appear at the inaugural Liverpool Music Awards. The Widnes-born singer will present one of the awards at the ceremony on Saturday November 17.

Melanie has just finished a 21-date arena tour of the UK and Ireland, performing as Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

She says: “I loved being back in Liverpool and am really excited to be part of the first ever Liverpool Music Awards”.

Also confirmed to present an award is blues legend Connie Lush. The singer, who grew up on Scotland Road, is recognised as one of the finest blues singers that the UK has ever produced, winning international awards and touring the world. As BB King said “That Woman makes my heart sing.”

Connie says: “Any awards that are given, always encourage people to aim high, it feeds ambitions, I am so happy to be involved with our own Liverpool Music Awards.”

Liverpool indie popstars The Wombats will be presenting an award along with members of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Liz McClarnon, Mike Di Scala and BBC Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks.

The red-carpet event, hosted by Radio 2 DJ Janice Long, will also see performances from X Factor finalist Craig Colton and MOBO Unsung award winner Esco Williams, the Sense of Sound Choir and Mark Simpson, the first person ever to win both the BBC's young composer and BBC Young Musician in the same year.

Also performing collaborations on the night are Katie Taylor, Ivy and The Chance, Manukah, Jamie Broad, Susan Hedges, Stereo Electric Mistress and Charley Blue.

Lawson, fronted by Liverpool singer Andy Brown, will be playing a set on the night, as well as presenting an award.

Andy says: “We're looking forward to performing at the first ever Liverpool Music Awards and it will be an honour to present an award on the evening as Liverpool music has had such a massive influence on me.”

The ceremony at The Dome Grand Central on Saturday, November 17 will see performances from more than 50 Liverpool musicians from a wide range of genres, performing in different collaborations.

Awards organiser Ellie Phillips says: “I’m absolutely ecstatic that the Liverpool Music Awards have the support of such huge music stars. They will really help bring national and even international attention to the awards, and in turn to the musical talent and music industries which we have in Liverpool.”

Set to become an annual event, the Liverpool Music Awards will honour the heroes of the music industry in our city: not only local musicians, but also those behind the scene, who facilitate and inspire others to create and perform on Merseyside. While the scope of the awards provides opportunity to celebrate musical achievements which have gone beyond the borders of our city, at their core the awards are for those who are currently active in Liverpool.

The judging panel includes; broadcaster Janice Long, BBC Radio Merseyside DJ Billy Butler and son Lee Butler from Radio City, founder of LIPA, Mark Featherstone-Witty, programme director for the MA in music industry studies at the University of Liverpool Dr Mike Jones, Simon Glinn, executive director of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall & Events, Liverpool Echo music writer Jade Wright, BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks artistic director of Sense of Sound, Jennifer John.

Tickets are available to the public via the website www.liverpoolmusicawards.com