Liverpool Music Awards 2013 Launch Announced

The launch for the second ever Liverpool Music Awards takes place on Tuesday 30th April at Liverpool Town Hall. Liverpool born DJ Janice Long will be hosting the event and Mayor Joe Anderson will be making speech on behalf of Liverpool City Council.

With performances from two of last year’s Liverpool Music Awards winners, The Hummingbirds, who won Ones to Watch and Ali Ingle who picked up the gong for Male Artist of the Year.  Alex Evans will also perform Rise and Fall at the launch.

"This launch is the start of an annual event where winners from the previous awards will be invited to perform at the launch in front of some of the biggest movers and shakers in the music industry. I'm also delighted Janice Long is back on board” says awards organiser Ellie Phillips.

”I'm really looking forward to coming back and to be part of the Liverpool Music Awards again. The wealth of musical talent in the city is second to none” says Janice Long.

This year’s Ones to Watch award is dedicated to 18 year old Michael Molloy.  The up-and-coming Liverpool guitarist who lost his live in a coach crash when returning from the Isle of White event Bestival last year. Michael Molloy and Alex Evans recorded Rise and Fall just weeks before Michael’s death in the Bestival coach crash last year.

Michael's band Hostile Radio were one of 12 Liverpool bands taking part in the Roscoe Project 2012 funded by Youth Music, the charity partner of the Liverpool Music Awards and one of the bands who took part in the competition to perform at the inaugural ceremony.

"To work alongside Michael was a true honour. We had our ups and downs like all best friends do but I have never shared so much respect for another human being. I am so proud to have been the person who played on this record and I will cherish the moments we had together for the rest of my life. It is a brilliant tribute to remember Michael at the music awards and I am very proud to be able to honour his life in this way" says Alex Evans.

Joe Molloy, brother of Michael Molloy, says: “We’re delighted that Michael’s song will be performed by Alex at the launch of the awards. It’s a brilliant tribute to him and we hope encourages even more people to go out and buy the single to help us get it up the charts.”

Rise and Fall and a second single, Hope You Know, can be pre-ordered from iTunes now, costing £1.79 for both.

Nominations for the Liverpool Music Awards open at midnight on Tuesday 30th April and close at midnight on Friday 31st May. The ceremony itself takes place on Sunday 25 August at St George’s Hall as part of the new Liverpool International Music Festival. To find out more, visit www.liverpoolmusicawards.com.

The Liverpool Music Awards 2013 Returns in August

The second ever Liverpool Music Awards returns to the city on Sunday 25 August and will become part of the new Liverpool International Music Festival.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool International Music Festival is a brand new, fresh celebration of all things music and it’s wonderful this popular awards ceremony is now part of the programme.”

Last November’s red-carpet event, hosted by Liverpool born Radio 2 DJ Janice Long included performances from Lawson and MOBO Unsung award winner Esco Williams, whilst Rebecca Ferguson picked up the award for best female and was presented by Widnes born singer Melanie C.

Orgainsers promise the event which will be held at Liverpool St Georges Hall this year will be the biggest and best yet and with 16 awards being presented on the night. “We’ll be featuring some really off the wall live performances and collaborations and  it will be a massive celebration of musical talent from and inspired by our wonderful city.” says awards organiser Ellie Phillips.  

Performers and judges will be announced in coming weeks. Ali Ingle (male of the year 2012 winner) and Ian McNabb (album of the year 2012 winner) will be performing at the launch and Stealing Sheep who won an award for band of the year but were on tour during last year's ceremony will collect their gong from Janice Long at the awards launch in May.

The awards is also dedicating its one to watch award to 18 year old Michael Molloy.  The up-and-coming guitarist was one of three people who lost their lives in a coach crash when returning from the Isle of White event Bestival last year.
Michael Molloy's band Hostile Radio were one of 12 Liverpool bands who were part of the Roscoe Project 2012 funded by Youth Music, the charity partner of the Liverpool Music Awards and one of the bands who took part in the competition to perform at the inaugural ceremony.

The official announcement about the re-naming of the special award will take place at the Bestival Fundraiser this Saturday night by Radio 1 DJ and festival organiser Rob Da Bank, along with radio announcements by Huw Stephens on Radio 1 and Janice Long on Radio 2 .

Michael’s mum Frances said: “Michael has always made us so proud, and this has go to be the most fitting tribute to date. He never doubted in his short life that he would be recognised for his musical talent.”

Michael’s brother Joe said: “It's very moving to see your brother recognised in such a fitting way. He always made us proud in life with his music and everything else he did, and he still does and always will do.

Organiser Ellie Phillips said: “It’s really important that the Liverpool Music Awards is not elitist or part of clique, we want to celebrate all musical tastes and represent people at different stages of their careers. Last year we had newcomers and LIPA graduates Stealing Sheep pick up best band and legendary Icicle Works singer Ian McNabb beat some of the new kids on the block to pick up the award  for best album.”

Entries for the Liverpool Music Awards 2013 will open on Wednesday May 1. For further details go to www.liverpoolmusicawards.com

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