BEING part of the GIT Award judging panel for the second year running, the job hasn't got any easier.
The sheer volume of talent that Merseyside has overwhelms me and the team at The Music Manual constantly. There were a few real big contenders that just missed out on the final 12 which came down to a long and trying discussion on a school night.
The twelve we chose went through a rigorous means test which caused a lot of pain to many of us on the panel but we are confident that the names reflect an eclectic mix of the region's hard workers over the past year.
All artists will feature at a special all-day event at Constellations in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle on Saturday May 13, 2017.
The GIT Award 2017 shortlist is:
Aystar
Baltic Fleet
Louis Berry
The Coral
God Colony
Immix Ensemble
Ohmns
Or:la
She Drew The Gun
Suedebrown
XamVolo
The Vryll Society
As in previous years, the winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy along with a cheque for £1,000 and recording time at Parr Street Studios.
Each nominee will also receive a beautifully-crafted memento.
British Music Experience curator Cath Hurley said: “Moving up to Liverpool to work for the British Music Experience initially meant that I was looking back at the heritage of music, but sitting on the panel of the GIT Award alongside the amazing judges and talking through the 8 pages of bands that were eligible to win the award allowed me to look forward.
“The sheer volume of exciting Liverpool acts that we deliberated over meant that bringing the long list down to a very short 12 was an intense process over many pizzas, many pints and many weeks.
“I’m delighted with this shortlist, though. Although some real contenders unfortunately didn’t make it through, it really shows the standard of Liverpool music and we have ended with a truly amazing 12. Hopefully the GIT Award will help put the spotlight on this great musical city.”
Having relaunched for its sixth year last November at a specially-hosted stage at The Northern Troubadour as part of Liverpool Music Week‘s closing party, the GIT Award judges met on eight occasions from December 2016 until March 2017, discussing 493 eligible artists and bands, before carefully whittling them down to just 12.
Those 12 will now feature at the industry showcase on Saturday May 13, 2017 and will include performances from some of the shortlisted artists plus DJs, an in-house jam band and specially produced set piece spectacles..
Also on the night, a special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry will also be presented. Previous recipients are Kevin McManus (2016), Alan Wills & Deltasonic (2015) Africa Oyé (2014), Hillsborough Justice Collective (2013) and The Kazimier (2012).
Liverpool Music Week director Mike Deane added: “Another year, another brilliant final twelve GIT Award nominees – with arguably the best and certainly the most diverse music selection to date.
“2017 was possibly the most intense the process has been for the judging panel – there are some artists and music I still can’t quite believe haven’t made the shortlist – but there is no question that every one of this final twelve deserves their place.
“I think how tough the decisions were this year definitely reflects just how healthy Liverpool’s current music scene is right now – it’s certainly one of the freshest shortlists we’ve had for The GIT Award since the very beginning with lot of new names for people to discover.”
For more GIT Award updates keep up-to-date by following our #GIT17 feed.
0 comments:
Post a Comment