Youth Music celebrated its 25th anniversary in style with its fifth Youth Music Award show. The new generation of musical talent arrived at the Troxy in Limehouse, London for a night to remember.
The Youth Music Awards celebrate creating, teaching and earning within music, bringing to light projects that push the limits, artists and entrepreneurs who have excelled through the year, and trailblazing young leaders.
Everyone arrived at the venue in full glam, pulling out all the stops before the night even started and after a grand meal from Turtle Bay, the real show began. Tracks on Tap started us off with a bang, the group bringing an upbeat energy for a night of celebration and authenticity. As previous winners of the Youth Music Awards in 2022, the group knew what it meant to have their music supported and brought that passion and gratitude onto centre stage.
LockdownT and Livvy K kept the vibes high as the hosts of the evening. Their infectious energy could be felt from the back of the room as they exuberated a pure love and respect for their craft. The co-hosts ensured every presenter, winner and performer who arrived on stage felt at ease and comfortable.
Throughout the evening a number of nominees took to the stage to perform a range of music, from Peri Rae’s indie-rock all the way to the chaos of 4 The Brotherhood’s ‘Adrenaline Rush’. Each artist brought everything they had: their passion, their spirit, their fire – it was felt by every audience member as each performer left it all out on the floor.
The night came to a powerful end as Richard Carter took to the stage for the second time, after winning the Rising Star Award (Artist). Carter put on a room-shaking performance of his new single, ‘PAID’, speaking to the artists in the room, as they continue to fight for their own music to be paid for.
Although the night focused on celebrating talent and commitment to music, the night had another key agenda: saving the Grassroots. Currently, Youth Music can only invest in around 17% of the projects that apply for funding. The presentation of an exclusive documentary and advocacy from each presenter sent the message home to audience members. You could feel in the room how much the support from Youth Music meant to each individual as they went up to collect or present awards and even those just enjoying the show.
A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the night, and a further congratulations to all of those who continue to put their work into the light for the world to hear. Here’s to 25 more years of celebrating those who teach, support and revel in music for all.
