The Youth Music Awards will be staged at St George's Hall in Liverpool on October 28, marking the first time the ceremony has been held outside London in six years. The move also marks the first time the awards have taken place in the North West.
Liverpool artists among nominees
Three Liverpool artists are nominated for prizes. Livvy K is up for the Rising Star Award, KOJ is shortlisted for Best Lyricist, and Bethane is in the running for the Best Original Track award.
The awards comprise 11 categories and are seen as a precursor for the next big thing in music. Musicians who have been backed by Youth Music and have gone on to achieve great things in the industry include Sam Fender, Ezra Collective and English Teacher.
Why Liverpool was chosen
Carol Reid, interim co-CEO of Youth Music, spoke about why a musical city like Liverpool is a perfect setting for the awards. She said: "We're so excited to announce this year's Youth Music Awards nominees.
"It's an inspiring snapshot of what a more diverse and creative music industry could look like, if we support grassroots music. These are the future changemakers of our industry.
"In fact, the last three Mercury Prize winners all came through Youth Music-funded projects at some point in their journey. Behind many of the artists we see on the biggest stages are local grassroots projects giving young people the space, support and opportunities to develop their talent. So, we can't wait to celebrate them in Liverpool this year. It's going to be a brilliant evening."
Judging panel and full nominee list
The winners are selected by a panel of more than 60 judges from across music, media and technology. Artist judges include BRIT Award winner Myles Smith, BICEP, Sister Bliss of Faithless, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing presenters Snoochie Shy and Jess Izsatt, as well as Youth Music alumni ALT BLK ERA, Emily Makis and LockdownT.
The full list of nominees is as follows:
Rising Star Award (Industry) Sponsored By Kickers
Honey Keenan (NextGen Fund - Scotland)
Jed Wright - (NextGen Fund - South East)
Rianne Lewis (NextGen Fund - London)
Rising Star Award (Artist) Sponsored By Empire
HULTON (NextGen Fund - South East)
Livvy K (NextGen Fund - North West)
Marz Fay (NextGen Fund - London)
Righteous Reck (NextGen Fund - London)
Roukaya B (NextGen Fund - North West)
Lyricist Award
Astles (LIMF Academy - North West)
KOJ (LIMF Academy Launchpad - North West)
M. Yesekaon (NextGen Fund - Wales)
Simon A (NextGen Fund - London)
Sunkissed Child (NextGen Fund - London)
Music Video Award Supported By Notion
Dayzy (Noise - Merseyside Youth Association - North West)
Hillarynx (NextGen Fund - London)
IMVN (NextGen Fund - London)
Simon a. (NextGen Fund - London)
Music Producer Award Supported by Elephant Music
IMVN (NextGen Fund - London)
Cherry Seraph (NextGen Fund - Yorkshire & The Humber)
Jelia (London)
Melba (NextGen Fund - North East)
Original Track Award (Group)
C4Truth & RHIA (London)
Ronn & Zuko Rosemeid (NextGen Fund - London)
TRACKS COLLECTIVE (Yorkshire & The Humber)
Original Track Award (Solo)
BEASTIE (NextGen Fund - London)
Bethane (Merseyside Youth Association - North West)
Hana (NextGen Fund - London)
Shiloh (Youth Music incubator, Phlexx & Mimm Collective - East Midlands)
ONYINYÉ (NextGen Fund - West Midlands/Ireland)
YV Shells (NextGen Fund - London)
Outstanding Project Supported by Arts Council England
Blue Cabin, This is the Place (North East)
Carousel, The Rock House (South East)
Conscious Youth CIC, Elevation Music (Yorkshire and The Humber)
Jack Drum Arts, Growing Green Music (North East)
Jubacana, Music Futures (North West)
Social Action Award Sponsored by Muse Group
Compass Collective (London)
Ros Hawley, Songbirds Music UK CIC (North West)
Thrive Project (North East)
TiPP (North East)
Young Leader Award Sponsored By AQA
Finn Simpson Murphy (Young Producers - North East)
Josh Dickinson (NextGen Fund - North West)
Ria Leah (The Spit Game UK - London)
Inspirational Music Leader Sponsored By the MU
Abi Johnson (The Music Works - South West)
Holly Prest (Jubacana Music Futures - South East)
Souria Boudina (New Sounds Of Crawley - South East)
