The Youth Music Awards are heading to Liverpool for the first time this October, with more than 40 artists, grassroots projects and music industry leaders nominated across 11 categories.
The Youth Music Awards 2026 will take place at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, on Wednesday 28 October, marking the first time the event has been held outside London since launching in 2019.
Described as the UK’s biggest night celebrating grassroots music, the awards will shine a spotlight on some of the country’s most exciting emerging artists alongside the projects, music leaders and industry figures helping to shape the future of British music.
This year’s ceremony, held in association with headline sponsor Wingstop, features 11 award categories spanning songwriting, production, music videos and original tracks, as well as community projects, social action and leadership.
Liverpool and the wider North West are well represented on the shortlist, with nominees including Livvy K, KOJ, Astles, DAYZY, Bethane, Josh Dickinson and Jubacana.
The Youth Music Awards recognise young people who have developed their talent through grassroots music and Youth Music-funded projects across the country.
Previous nominees and participants have gone on to achieve major success. English Teacher, who won the Mercury Prize in 2024, received the Rising Star Award at the 2022 Youth Music Awards.
Youth Music has also previously supported projects that played a role in the early development of major artists including Sam Fender and Ezra Collective.
More than 60 judges from across music, media and technology will help select the 2026 winners, with representatives from Apple, Meta, Sony Music, Spotify, Universal Music Group and YouTube.
The artist judging panel includes BRIT Award winner Myles Smith, electronic duo BICEP, Faithless’ Sister Bliss, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing presenters Snoochie Shy and Jess Izsatt, and Youth Music alumni ALT BLK ERA, Emily Makis and LockdownT.
As well as bringing the ceremony to one of the world’s best-known music cities, the move to Liverpool will create 23 paid opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience working at a major music industry event.
Roles will include photographers, PR assistants, content creators and event runners, with recruitment focused on Liverpool and the wider North West.
The move also reflects Youth Music’s work beyond the capital. According to the charity, 86% of its funding supports organisations outside London.
Demand for grassroots music opportunities is continuing to grow, with waiting lists for Youth Music-funded projects now standing at 33,500 young people. Waiting lists are also 20% bigger in the North than in the South.
Carol Reid, Interim Co-CEO at Youth Music, 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.”
Full Youth Music Awards 2026 Nominations
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
- Cherry Seraph (NextGen Fund – Yorkshire & The Humber)
- IMVN (NextGen Fund – London)
- 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)
The Youth Music Awards Access Fund, funded by Sony Music UK, helps nominees cover the cost of travelling to and from the ceremony.
Youth Music is a national charity helping the next generation of young people transform their lives through music. It is funded through the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of the Postcode Lottery, and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.
The Youth Music Awards 2026 take place at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
For more information visit youthmusic.org.uk/awards.
