Joe GallopThe UK live music industry came together last night (13 December) for the inaugural LIVE Awards to celebrate talent and achievements across the live music sector.
LIVE, the voice of the UK’s live music business, welcomed 450 representatives to highlight excellence throughout 2022 while looking forward to concerts, festivals, and tours in 2023.
Decided by a panel of industry experts, the 14 award winners included Reading & Leeds Festivals, The O2 Arena, Bluedot, CAA, One Fiinix Live, and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow.
The evening ended with the awarding of the first LIVEtime achievement award to Danny Betesh, owner of Kennedy Street Enterprises and promoter to artists such as The Beatles, Take That, and Meat Loaf.
LIVE CEO Jon Collins said, “The inaugural LIVE awards was a truly excellent evening which gave us the opportunity to recognise and reward those who have really raised the bar in 2022.
“The hangover from the effect of Covid, cost-of-living crisis, and rapidly rising costs have not stopped our industry from delivering memorable occasions to people in record numbers. The LIVE Awards reflect the breadth of talent across all parts of our industry – from classical to grime, baroque to rock, The LIVE Awards recognises excellence in the field, and at the venue”.
The full list of award winners included:
- The LIVE Green Award – A Greener Festival
- The LIVE Workforce Award – Bristol Beacon
- Venue of the Year – The O2 Arena
- Grassroots Champion – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
- Booking Agency 2022 (<30 team members) – One Fiinix Live
- Booking Agency 2022 (>30 team members) – CAA
- National Promoter of the Year – Kilimanjaro Live
- Regional Promoter of the Year – Bird on The Wire
- Ticketing Service 2022 – AXS
- Major Festival of the Year – Reading & Leeds Festivals
- Festival of the Year – Bluedot
- Production Supplier – Creative Technology
- Brand Partnership – The National Lottery with MVT
- The LIVETime Achievement Award – Danny Betesh, Kennedy Street
LIVE said proceeds from the awards, which will take place annually, will help to fund its ongoing work as it continues to work with policymakers, regulators, the public, and the wider music and entertainment industries.