Merseyside GIT award announces judging panel ahead of May event

Bill Ryder-Jones with his £1,000 prize

THE Music Manual is back for another year as a judge at Merseyside's number one annual music ceremony - the GIT Award.

Ahead of the huge party on Saturday, May 13, GIT boss Peter Guy announced that some regular faces would be returning to the panel plus some exciting new musos to keep them in check.

Returning local judges include EVOL promoter Steve Miller, music blogger Lauren Jones and Bido Lito! editor Chris Torpey alongside Liverpool International Music Festival curator Yaw Owusu, Liverpool Music Week founder Mike Deane and GIT Award founder Peter Guy.

New local judges include O2 Academy and Arts Club general manager Patrick Doherty, venue and operations co-ordinator for VMS Live Aoife Niblock and British Music Experience marketing manager Cath Hurley.

Nationally, a number of familiar faces are returning such as Heavenly Recordings Jeff Barrett, 4AD’s Rich Walker, The Quietus’ John Doran and The Unsigned Guide’s Louise Dodgson.

Newcomers also include Nathaniel Cramp of Sonic Cathedral, editor of Louder than War John Robb, music editor at The Skinny Will Fitzpatrick and ex-Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam.

Since launching in November 2011, the GIT Award has received more than 1,800 entries, including 47 different nominees over five years and staged more than 75 of Merseyside’s most ground-breaking bands and artists.

Last year, singer-songwriter Bill Ryder-Jones won the £1,000 prize, joining the list of previous winners such as All We Are, Forest Swords, Baltic Fleet and Loved Ones.