Elbow frontman Guy Garvey is to receive the Artists' Artist Award at next month's Artist & Manager Awards (A&MA’s).
Organised by the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), this year’s ceremony will take place at a new venue, the Bloomsbury Big Top, 93 Guildford Street, on Wednesday, November 14. BBC Radio 1’s Gemma Cairney will return as host.
Voted for by fellow artists in the FAC and peers, the Artists’ Artist Award recognises the long-term creative and innovative musical output of an individual or group. Previous winners include Tracey Thorn, Joan Armatrading, Placebo, Robbie Williams and Massive Attack.
FAC chief Lucie Caswell said: “For his work with Elbow alone, Guy is an absolute legend in the artist community. A generous and heartfelt songwriter, his contribution to British music has been immense and consistent. Beyond that, Guy is a role model for us all, with his constant championing of all genres of new music, his willingness to ‘give back’ in so many ways and for his genuine sense of community. For all these reasons, FAC are delighted to name Guy Garvey as our Artists’ Artist for 2018.”
Ed Sheeran UK tour co-promoters Kilimanjaro Live and DHP Family will also be recognised with the FanFair Alliance Award for Outstanding Contribution To Live Music. Created by the FanFair Alliance in partnership with the MMF and FAC, the award acknowledges the high profile anti-touting initiatives of both Kilimanjaro and DHP Family, and their commitment to fairer ticketing for UK audiences.
Stuart Galbraith, CEO of Kilimanjaro Live said: ‘’Everyone at Kilimanjaro is honoured to receive this recognition from the artist community for the work we’ve done trying to rid the industry of the scourge of unethical secondary ticketing. As concert promoters we have a duty to your fans to protect them from the unscrupulous parasites milking their passion for your music and our live events. We never forget that without the music makers there is no business for promoters, ticket agents, production people and so on to participate in.
"We have to protect our business for the future of all music makers and music fans. That’s why we’ve taken this fight so seriously and devoted so many hours to taking them on. And it will continue until we have achieved what we all want.’’
Daniel Ealam, director of live, DHP Family, said: “We are all so proud at DHP Family to accept this award alongside everyone at Kilimanjaro. Seeing in person the real distress and negative impact that unethical secondary sites cause to the lives of music fans, and also our industry as a whole, it was a no brainer to do all we could to support our artists in getting their tickets into the hands of their fans.
"While mass-scale online ticket touting still exists we’ll continue to do all we can to support the fight and we thank the MMF and FAC, not only for this award, but also for their vital support in this process.”
Annabella Coldrick, CEO, MMF, said: “Given the unbelievable successes of the FanFair campaign to overhaul secondary ticketing, it feels entirely fitting that we should celebrate the companies and individuals who have delivered a positive change for artists and audiences. Kilimanjaro and DHP Family have both led the way to help eradicate large-scale ticket touting. They are worthy winners."
The A&MA’s have also announced that Small Green Shoots will be the event’s official charity partner. Founded in 2009, Small Green Shoots specialise in developing engaging arts-based events for 16-24-year-olds living in areas of deprivation, and who are not in education or training. In 2017, the charity facilitated more than 40 projects in towns and cities across the UK. Small Green Shoots has also provided early stage support to artists including Jorja Smith and Mahalia. The charity will benefit from a silent auction to be held on the night.
"The A&MA’s are also delighted to shine a light on the brilliant work of Small Green Shoots and the genuinely life-changing projects they deliver for young people," added Coldrick. "We hope those attending the awards will dig deep and support this fantastic charity by bidding in our silent auction.”
Natalie Wade, founder, Small Green Shoots said: “I’m truly honoured the Artist & Manager Awards have chosen Small Green Shoots as their official charity partner. Our work to help young people is dependent not only on the support of businesses and brands, but also on close collaboration with artists and creatives - and we see this as a real opportunity to build partnerships for the future.”
Modest! Management has already been announced as the winner of the prestigious Peter Grant Award. Further winners will be revealed in coming weeks. Table bookings for the awards are available now.
