THE INDY MUSIC AWARDS SET TO REWARD LONDON’S UNSUNG HEROES

“It is in the pubs and clubs that tomorrows talent fine tune their skills.”
AIM, the Association of Independent Music

The INDY Music Awards, the UK’s first exciting and dynamic new awards scheme to fully recognise and reward the independent venues, promoters and artists that are the lifeblood of the grassroots music scene will take place at London’s Clapham Grand on May 15th 2007.

In an increasingly digital age which allows bands to communicate directly with their audience and fans to hear music for free, experts are predicting the demise of the mainstream music industry while real value will still exist through the experience of live performances. For these reasons the live independent sector is more vital than ever to enable bands to thrive and evolve.

The INDY Music Awards not only recognise this but are unique in highlighting and raising awareness of the significant relationship between venues, promoters and the great wealth of undiscovered talent that exists within this country. While there are countless unsigned schemes and initiatives in the UK, few of them actually empower, reward or make a difference to the key people that keep the independent sector healthy and vibrant. The INDY Music Awards will readdress this.

Categories for the awards include best independent venue and fan of the year with artist award categories spanning at least six different musical genres. 60 of London’s top independent venues and promoters have nominated over 200 of the best bands (out of an estimated 30,000) that have performed in their venues over the past year, while thousands of votes have already been cast by fans via the dedicated website HYPERLINK "http://www.indyawards.co.uk" www.indyawards.co.uk.

Voting will close on April 2nd and the artists that have received the most votes will then be shortlisted. A panel made up of some of the UK’s most influential industry figures will then select the final winners in each category, with a People’s Choice Award for the artist that generates the most popular vote. The shortlist will be announced at a launch event at the Rock Garden, Covent Garden on Wednesday April 18th.

Hosted by Virgin Radio’s Greg Burns, the awards ceremony on 15th May will feature performances from established artists as well as the cream of the UK’s independent talent. For more information, to look at the nominated artists and for updates on the awards themselves, log onto HYPERLINK "http://www.indyawards.co.uk" www.indyawards.co.uk

Says CEO, Jeremy Glover: “If ever an industry needed an awards scheme surely it is at the grassroots level where you can forget about any significant financial rewards. There are a lot of people involved at the early stages of an artist’s development, many of whom, like the artists themselves, do it for the love of music. The INDY Music Awards is about empowering these passionate stakeholders”.

If you are an independent venue or promoter based in the UK and you would like to nominate an artist or band for next years awards please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.indyawards.co.uk" www.indyawards.co.uk click onto the venues & promoters button and click through to the registration page.

Tickets for the ceremony will be available from 9am on April 2nd via the website – HYPERLINK www.indyawards.co.uk

Venues can nominate four artists, however as promoters often work with several venues they can nominate four artists for each venue they promote.

Artists are eligible if they are unsigned or signed to an independent label or their own label. They are not eligible if they were signed to any of the major record labels or their subsidiaries in 2006. Artists do not have to be based in London but must have played at a London venue in 2006.

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