Nominations have been announced for the Youth Music Awards 2026, which highlight emerging talent and grassroots music projects across the UK.
Taking place at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Wednesday, October 28, the awards will leave London for the first time since launching in 2019.
The shortlists span 11 categories covering both artistic and industry roles, including the Rising Star Award (Artist), Rising Star Award (Industry), Lyricist Award, Music Video Award, Music Producer Award, Original Track Award (Group) and Original Track Award (Solo).
The awards also recognise community-led initiatives and trailblazing leaders through the Outstanding Project, Social Action Award, Young Leader Award, and Inspirational Music Leader categories.
"We’re so excited to announce this year's Youth Music Awards nominees," said Youth Music's interim co-CEO Carol Reid. "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."
Youth Music has previously backed Sam Fender through Newcastle-based music development agency Generator. Elsewhere, 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective developed through Youth Music-backed talent development programmes Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetika Bloco.
The last three Mercury Prize winners all came through Youth Music-funded projects at some point in their journey
Carol Reid, Youth Music
Meanwhile, 2024 Mercury Prize winners English Teacher were awarded the Rising Star Award at the 2022 Youth Music Awards.
More than 60 judges from across music, media and technology will help select this year's winners, representing organisations such as Apple, Meta, Sony Music, Spotify, Universal Music Group and YouTube. Artist judges include Myles Smith, Bicep, Sister Bliss of Faithless, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing presenters Snoochie Shy and Jess Izsatt, as well as Youth Music alumni Alt Blk Era, Emily Makis and LockdownT.
With 86% of Youth Music funding supporting organisations outside the capital, the awards are heading to the North West for the first time. The move to Liverpool will create 23 paid opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience at a high-profile music industry event, with a big recruitment push across Liverpool and the North West.
The list of nominees is as follows:
Rising Star Award (Industry)
- Honey Keenan (NextGen Fund - Scotland)
- Jed Wright - (NextGen Fund - South East)
- Rianne Lewis (NextGen Fund - London)
Rising Star Award (Artist)
- 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
- Dayzy (Noise - Merseyside Youth Association - North West)
- Hillarynx (NextGen Fund - London)
- IMVN (NextGen Fund - London)
- Simon a. (NextGen Fund - London)
Music Producer Award
- 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
- 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
- Compass Collective (London)
- Ros Hawley, Songbirds Music UK CIC (North West)
- Thrive Project (North East)
- TiPP (North East)
Young Leader Award
- Finn Simpson Murphy (Young Producers - North East)
- Josh Dickinson (NextGen Fund - North West)
- Ria Leah (The Spit Game UK - London
Inspirational Music Leader
- Abi Johnson (The Music Works - South West)
- Holly Prest (Jubacana Music Futures - South East)
- Souria Boudina (New Sounds Of Crawley - South East)
PHOTO: Nic Serpell-Rand
