The NMG Awards, the music awards night that celebrates and recognises the talent of the local music scene in Cambridge and surrounding towns and villages across all music genres and ages is returning in 2014 after a hugely successful debut year.
The NMG Awards evening will take place on October 17, 2014 at The Portland Arms, Cambridge.
The event is part of the community radio station, Cambridge 105’s flagship live music show, the New Music Generator. The station which is the ‘Home of Cambridge Music’ is extending its broadcast partnership with the awards in to a second year.
The NMG Awards are open to artists who have been featured on Cambridge 105′s New Music Generator show in the 12 months to June 31st, 2014, provided they are based within 50 miles of Cambridge city centre.
The judging panel will once again be chaired by Tim Willett, the music promoter, who presents the New Music Generator programme each Wednesday evening on Cambridge 105.
Joining Tim on the judging panel this year are:
Sue Marchant, broadcaster on BBC Eastern counties radio and long time supporter of local artists in the region
Tom Simkins, presenter of BBC Introducing Cambridgeshire
Fred Bambridge, creator of blogging and review website It’s All Indie and judge for the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition.
Gary Brown, organiser of the popular Junction Fiver Night, vocalist in Ska band Big 10 and supporter of up and coming young bands in the area.
Joe Weaver, manager and music promoter, best known for working with Lewis Mokler and for his involvement in BurySOUND. A well-known figure on the Suffolk Music Scene.
Helen Meissner, a promoter and supporter of folk music across the Eastern region, and creator of the Folkstock Arts Foundation.
The judges will whittle down the nominations long list in 11 categories and publish these at the beginning of September.
A twelfth category containing all artists named on the long list will be open to voting by the public.
By the beginning of October a final list of nominations in each category will be published and nominees will be invited to the awards evening on October 17th.
Aside from this other artists will asked to perform on the night and tickets will be available for the general public.
The evening will be recorded for later broadcast on Cambridge 105 and in an exciting new development, later televised by the soon to launch local station, Cambridge Presents and broadcast on Freeview and online.
The NMG Awards are this year sponsored by Crooks Hall Studios near Haverhill, Perry Road Studios near Buckden and Out There! Promotions.
Our supporters include Cambridge Junction, The Portland Arms, Toon Teen Industries, Folkstock Arts Foundation, Homegrown Music Festival and Its All Indie.
Tim Willett said: “I was overwhelmed by the response to our debut year in 2013 and cannot wait to get stuck in to putting this years ceremony together. There are more nominees involved this year including some of last year’s winners and some exciting new artists too. I’d like to welcome Sue, Tom and Fred to the panel, I’m delighted that they have agreed to join myself and returning judges Joe, Gary and Helen this year”.
