The NMG Awards, the music awards night that celebrates and recognises the talent of the local music scene in Cambridge and surrounding towns and villages across all music genres and ages is returning for a third successive year and this time round, it’s bigger than ever!
The NMG Awards evening will take place on October 16, 2015 at the brand new home of the 500 capacity all-seater West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge.
The event is part of the New Music Generator initiative which supports unsigned music through its weekly flagship radio programme on the ‘Home of Cambridge Music’, Cambridge 105 and through live music events.
The NMG Awards are open to artists who have been featured on Cambridge 105′s New Music Generator show in the 12 months to July 31st, 2015, provided they are based within 50 miles of Cambridge city centre.
The event will once again be hosted by Tim Willett, the music promoter, who presents the New Music Generator programme each Wednesday evening on Cambridge 105.
We are thrilled to be able to announce that Sheila Ravenscroft, wife of the late John Peel is supporting The NMG Awards this year. Sheila said ‘I was delighted to be approached to support The NMG Awards, an event which is demonstrating the strength of the music community in East Anglia by moving to a new venue with double the capacity to satisfy demand and this year featuring 100 artists nominated across all the categories. I continue to be impressed by the level of talent we have in this area which I see on a regular basis through my involvement with The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket, it’s brilliant that an initiative like The NMG Awards are providing an opportunity for artists to be recognised for their achievements and potential’
The 2015 judging panel comprises of broadcasters, promoters and figures who all support live music from local artists around East Anglia. They are:
Sue Marchant, broadcaster on BBC Eastern counties radio and long time supporter of local artists in the region
Tom Simkins, presenter of BBC Introducing Cambridgeshire
Fred Bambridge, creator of blogging and review website It’s All Indie and judge for the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition.
Gary Brown, organiser of the popular Junction Fiver Night, vocalist in Ska band Big 10 and supporter of up and coming young bands in the area.
Joe Weaver, manager and music promoter, best known for working with Lewis Mokler and Pale Fires and for his involvement in BurySOUND. A well-known figure on the Suffolk Music Scene.
A new addition for 2015 is Phil Pethybridge, a long time supporter of unsigned music and amongst other ventures runs The Living Room stage at Secret Garden Party and The Den at Cambridge Folk Festival.
There are fifteen categories this year which include Best Acoustic Artist (replacing Best Duo) and Best Electronic/Experimental/Urban (replacing Best Urban/Dance) as well as the return of the Breakthrough Award, The Breakout Award and the Pride of Cambridge. The Audience Choice category will be open for public voting from October 3rd.
In a change to previous years, this time all artists listed on the 2015 nominees list will be in with a chance of winning a trophy on the night.
We are pleased to extend our radio broadcast partnership with community radio station, Cambridge 105 in to a third year. Cambridge 105 will broadcast delayed coverage of the event on FM, online and DAB Digital Radio. Cambridge TV will also broadcast a highlights programme across Freeview and Virgin Media platforms and produce online content for The NMG Awards website and we’ve a partnership with Cambridge News in the run up and after the event.
We are pleased to welcome Cold Rooms in Wilburton near Ely as a principal sponsor for 2015 alongside the continued support of Perry Road Studios. The newly opened Hunter Club Recording Studio, Cream Room Productions and Homegrown Music Festival complete our sponsors for this year.
Tim Willett said: “The pace at which The NMG Awards is growing is simply overwhelming! I am really looking forward to hosting this year’s ceremony in the beautiful West Road Concert Hall. It’s an absolute honour to have a respected figure such as Sheila Ravenscroft to endorse the event, I’d like to thank her for her involvement and also thank Sue, Tom, Fred, Gary and Joe for agreeing to judge for another year and welcome Phil to the panel. With 100 artists nominated across fifteen categories, I’m glad I’m not judging this year!’