THE GIT AWARD 2016

Event information

Liverpool music prize The GIT Award is back for its fifth edition at Constellations in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle on Saturday 14 May 2016.

The fifth GIT Award recipient will follow in the footsteps of previous winners Loved Ones (2012), Baltic Fleet (2013), Forest Swords (2014) and last year’s winners All We Are.
The overall winner of the GIT Award 2016 will once again receive a cash prize of £1000.

Founded by Liverpool music webzine Getintothis, The GIT Award remains the only prize of its kind in the UK, championing vital new talent within Merseyside’s eclectic music community, pushing the region’s innovative talent across the world.
Since launching in November 2011, The GIT Award has received more than 1800 entries, included 38 different nominees, and staged more than 75 of Merseyside’s most vital new artists and bands across its events.

Returning for his fifth successive year as a GIT Award judge, John Doran, said: “Even speaking as a bad wool - and one who lives in That London as well - it's always a pleasure to be involved in the GIT Award. More and more people are starting to realise that Liverpool (and the North West in general) is currently going through something of a home grown musical reinvigoration in the kinds of genres you'd expect not to mention other areas such as grime, bass music and heavy experimental psych etc.”

A special Inspiration Award, recognising significant outstanding achievement in Merseyside’s music industry will also be presented.

The 2015 Inspiration Award was in recognition of Alan Wills and the label he founded Deltasonic which launched the careers of The Coral, Zutons and many more. The 2014 Inspiration Award went to the team behind Africa Oye while previous recipients include Hillsborough Justice Collective (2013) and the directors of the Kazimier club (2012).

Rock & roller Louis Berry won the second One To Watch Prize following on from inaugural recipient Låpsley and a third hotly-tipped young musician will be crowned at Constellations on May 14.

Founder and journalist at the Liverpool Echo, Peter Guy, said: “I’m delighted to be relaunching the GIT Award. In an age when award ceremonies have been cheapened by seeking viewing figures and watering down the very reason for which they were set up, the GIT Award has steadfastly remained true to its roots – championing the very best new music from Merseyside, pushing the superlative talents within our city to an audience that matters and collaborating with the creative community to provide an event the region can be proud of.

“Once again, the finest industry representatives from around the UK are on the judging panel providing a unique platform for our musicians to be heard to stand the chance of career-changing opportunities.”

Since its formation, judges have included The Guardian, 6 Music, The Quietus, Alan McGee, NME, Liverpool Football Club, XFM Radio, UK Music, Music Week, Tom Ravenscroft, prestigious internationally-renowned record labels Bella Union, Heavenly Recordings, 4AD - plus the cream of Merseyside music's industry figures. This year’s panel will be revealed before the launch at Buyers Club.

Each year the GIT Award & Inspiration Award trophies have been made by a Liverpool-based artist; Sam Venables (2012, director of the Royal Standard), Jayne Lawless (2013 Liverpool art prize nominee), Mike Aitken, (director of Royal Standard 2014) and David Bannister (2015).