Right, this may be on interest to a lot of you. The Indy Music Awards have returned for 2008 and are branching outside of London to encompass the whole of the UK. From 1st of February until the 31st March you will be able to vote for your favourite nominated artists from indyawards.co.uk. The awards work by promoters and venues nominating artists and the public casting their votes. There are also awards for promoters and venues too!

Press release:

Following the phenomenal success achieved in their inaugural year, the INDY Music Awards return in 2008 with a host of exciting and fresh new developments. Shifting focus from London to the whole of the UK this year, the awards will recognise and reward even more independent venues, promoters and artists than ever before and continue to highlight the very best in emerging live music.

200 venues and promoters have already registered for this year’s awards, while organisers are keen to encourage even more to register and nominate their favourite independent artists that have impressed them over the last year.

Once the registration closes, the public can begin to cast their votes for their favourite nominated artists at indyawards.co.uk from 1st February until 31st March. There will be stiff competition for the awards, which have now been extended to 19 categories including, Best Electronica Act, Promoter of the Year, three Venue Of The Year Awards and an Inspiration Award.

The full short-list, based on the top four most popular artists in each of the 13 musical categories will be announced in early April before being reviewed by an Industry Panel who will decide the overall award winners.

2008’s Award winners will then be unveiled at a glittering ceremony where some of the UK’s brightest new stars will be joined by top names from the industry. Last year’s ceremony saw Marcella Detroit, Glen Matlock, Andy Matthews, Neville Staple, Omar, Tom McRae and legendary rock producer Kevin Shirley turning up and organisers have already been inundated with enquiries for this year’s event.

Details for the awards ceremony date and venue will be announced shortly.

With the live music industry in the UK now estimated to be worth £743m a year, the INDY Music Awards play a key role in identifying the top 0.5% of emerging independent talent in the UK. A survey carried out after last years nominations showed 45% of INDY Music Awards artists were approached by labels or professional management while 60% of respondents were offered higher profile gigs and festival slots including Glastonbury on the back of their association with the awards.

The INDY Music Awards were set up in early 2007 to recognise and honour the hard work of independent live music venues, promoters and the artists that they showcase and help to develop.

Last years awards were London based with 121 venues and promoters nominating the best 218 artists out of an estimated 40,000 who played on their stages in 2006. 30,000 votes were placed on the INDY Music Awards website and a shortlist of 36 artists went before an industry panel who decided on the eventual winners.

Proposed categories at the INDY Music Awards 2008:

Best Solo Act
Best Urban Act
Best New Wave/Progressive Act
Best Folk/Country/Blues Act
Best Soul/Funk/Jazz Act
Best Electronica
Best Alternative Act
Best Indie Act
Best Punk Act
Best Ska Act
Best Pop Act
Best Heavy Rock Act
Best Rock Act
Most Popular Venue (Small, Medium & Large)
Promoter of the Year
Peoples Choice Award (Most votes)
Inspiration Award