Today, nominations for the Youth Music Awards 2026, the UK’s biggest night in grassroots music have been announced. Taking place at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Wednesday 28th October, the awards, in association with headline sponsor Wingstop, will leave London for the first time since launching in 2019. The 2026 nominees feature an exciting range of young British artists who have delivered breakthrough projects that continue to shape the future of music, alongside the visionary leaders driving a more diverse, inclusive, and creative industry.
Spanning 11 categories, the awards highlight emerging talent and grassroots music projects across the UK. The shortlist covers 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.
This year’s nominees follow in the footsteps of a long line of successful alumni. Youth Music has long provided the crucial early support behind many of the UK’s biggest musical success stories. Youth Music has previously backed BRIT Award and Mercury Prize-winning Sam Fender through Generator, a Newcastle-based music development agency funded by Youth Music. Elsewhere, 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective built their foundation through Youth Music backed talent development programmes Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetika Bloco. Meanwhile, 2024 Mercury Prize winners English Teacher were awarded the Rising Star Award at the 2022 Youth Music Awards ahead of their breakthrough success.
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 BRIT Award winner Myles Smith, DJ duo 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.
The move to Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music, 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. Roles on offer include photographers, PR assistants, content creators and event runners.
Carol Reid, Interim Co-CEO at Youth Music says: “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 2026 nominees:
Rising Star Award (Industry) Sponsored By Kickers
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Honey Keenan (NextGen Fund – Scotland)
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Jed Wright – (NextGen Fund – South East)
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Rianne Lewis (NextGen Fund – London)
Rising Star Award (Artist) Sponsored By Empire
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HULTON (NextGen Fund – South East)
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Livvy K (NextGen Fund – North West)
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Marz Fay (NextGen Fund – London)
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Righteous Reck (NextGen Fund – London)
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Roukaya B (NextGen Fund – North West)
Lyricist Award
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Astles (LIMF Academy – North West)
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KOJ (LIMF Academy Launchpad – North West)
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M. Yesekaon (NextGen Fund – Wales)
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Simon A (NextGen Fund – London)
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Sunkissed Child (NextGen Fund – London)
Music Video Award Supported By Notion
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Dayzy (Noise – Merseyside Youth Association – North West)
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Hillarynx (NextGen Fund – London)
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IMVN (NextGen Fund – London)
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Simon a. (NextGen Fund – London)
Music Producer Award Supported by Elephant Music
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Cherry Seraph (NextGen Fund – Yorkshire & The Humber)
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IMVN (NextGen Fund – London)
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Jelia (London)
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Melba (NextGen Fund – North East)
Original Track Award (Group)
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C4Truth & RHIA (London)
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Ronn & Zuko Rosemeid (NextGen Fund – London)
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TRACKS COLLECTIVE (Yorkshire & The Humber)
Original Track Award (Solo)
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BEASTIE (NextGen Fund – London)
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Bethane (Merseyside Youth Association – North West)
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Hana (NextGen Fund – London)
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Shiloh (Youth Music incubator, Phlexx & Mimm Collective – East Midlands)
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ONYINYÉ (NextGen Fund – West Midlands/Ireland)
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YV Shells (NextGen Fund – London)
Outstanding Project Supported by Arts Council England
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Blue Cabin, This is the Place (North East)
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Carousel, The Rock House (South East)
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Conscious Youth CIC, Elevation Music (Yorkshire and The Humber)
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Jack Drum Arts, Growing Green Music (North East)
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Jubacana, Music Futures (North West)
Social Action Award Sponsored by Muse Group
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Compass Collective (London)
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Ros Hawley, Songbirds Music UK CIC (North West)
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Thrive Project (North East)
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TiPP (North East)
Young Leader Award Sponsored By AQA
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Finn Simpson Murphy (Young Producers – North East)
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Josh Dickinson (NextGen Fund – North West)
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Ria Leah (The Spit Game UK – London
Inspirational Music Leader Sponsored By the MU
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Abi Johnson (The Music Works – South West)
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Holly Prest (Jubacana Music Futures – South East)
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Souria Boudina (New Sounds Of Crawley – South East)
The Youth Music Awards Access Fund enables the award nominees to access funding for their travel to and from the event – this is funded by Sony Music UK.
Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of the Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.
