Liverpool’s GIT Award announces 2014 judging panel
The GIT Award Judges Announcement
‘The GIT Award represent artists of the future’ – Yoko Ono
Liverpool’s premier new music prize The GIT Award returns for its third successive year with a special showcase ceremony at The Kazimier on Friday 11 April 2014. Dubbed the ‘Scouse Mercury Prize,’ the GIT Award is the first regional award of its kind championing new emerging talent within Merseyside’s eclectic arts and music community, pushing innovative musicians right across the world, and the nominations process to find 12 shortlisted artists is already open.
The judging panel for Liverpool’s GIT (Getintothis) Award 2014 has been revealed, with national music industry and media powerhouses joining some of Merseyside’s key cultural figureheads.
Joining the judging panel for the 2014 prize are former Creation Records founder Alan McGee who signed the likes of Oasis, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine, editor of respected industry bible Music Week’s Tim Ingham plus journalist and author Peter Robinson, creator of award-winning webzine Popjustice.
Two music journalists who between them have several decades’ worth of experience writing for a host of national titles, Jude Rogers and Simon Price, are also new for 2014 and radio is well represented too – Mike Walsh who is deputy programme director and head of music at iconic brand Xfm and Camilla Pia who is on the music team at BBC Radio 6 Music will also join the panel.
Music Week editor, Tim Ingham said: “From The Coral to The Bunnymen, The Boo Radleys to The La’s and Shack, Liverpool has never stopped spawning thrilling bands that have gone on to charm a nation – some of them, the world. The likes of Circa Waves show that torch still burns brightly, and I’m delighted to play even a weeny role in helping give a lift to the next crop.”
Other new judges for the GIT Award 2014 are Radio City’s co-breakfast host Claire Simonsen and Mike Deane, the Founder and Director of Liverpool Music Week.
Mike Deane said: “In my 12 years as industry professional in the city, I’ve not known a more exciting time for Liverpool, and it’s great to be part of the GIT Award panel this year.”
“The art & music community here is buzzing right now with hugely ambitious and exceptionally talented hard-working, risk-taking individuals & collectives gaining national and international recognition for themselves and the city as a whole.”
“Speaking to people regularly across the European music industry, Liverpool is a place that people are seriously talking about right now and we all should feel proud to be a part of these exciting times and continue our excellent efforts to maintain this very promising upward curve”
Returning to judge The GIT Award are Matt Wilkinson, NME’s new music editor, Craig G Pennington, editor of Liverpool music magazine Bido Lito! and John Doran, editor of the music webzine The Quietus.
GIT Award organiser and Liverpool Echo journalist Peter Guy also takes a place on the 2014 judging panel, alongside Liverpool music promoter, Steve Miller, the man behind club night EVOL. Completing the judging line up is Yaw Owusu, music manager and curator of Liverpool International Music Festival.
The judges will decide the 12 shortlisted nominees and the eventual winner for this pioneering award. The GIT Award 2014 winner will be crowned on Friday 11 April 2014 at the Kazimier scooping £1,000 prize money.
A special Inspiration Award, recognising significant outstanding achievement in Merseyside’s music industry will also be presented. The recipients of the 2013 Inspiration Award was won by the Hillsborough Justice Collective while in 2012 the team behind Liverpool’s Kazimier club picked up the honour.
GIT Award organiser Peter Guy said: “At the very heart of the GIT Award is pushing great new Merseyside music to a wider audience and helping Merseyside artists receive new audiences. It’s through the involvement of key industry figures that we can help achieve this goal.
“This year’s panel once again includes a diverse collection of some of Merseyside’s key music industry players, however, we have increased those involved on a national scale to help push things even further.”
“I’m delighted to once again include judges from music cornerstones as the NME, The Quietus and 6Music while look forward to discussing the wealth of great new Merseyside music with a number of celebrated journalists and influential pop gurus.”
“Liverpool has long been considered a hotbed of musical talent and The GIT Award is committed to putting the city’s most innovative new bands and artists on the national and international stage.”
‘The GIT Award illustrates just how colourful the music scene in Liverpool is today’ – Domino Records
