On Thursday 27 October 2016, the first ever televised award ceremony for unsigned talent took place in the form of ‘The Unsigned Music Awards‘.
Flying in from across the UK and all over the globe, the hottest unsigned acts of 2016 gathered at East London’s TROXY to celebrate a night of amazing music and huge talent.
The judging panel, made up from over 80 music industry experts, had the tough job of short listing the best unsigned talent in 16 categories with the winners to be awarded on the night.
Hosting the first Unsigned Music Awards were Radio 1’s Chris Stark and Laura Whitmore, the duo led effortlessly through the night and even had SIA as a surprise guest.
Opening the UMA’s were synth rock duo ‘SKIES‘, with their beautiful single ‘Hold On’. Alie and Jericho impressed with a mesmerising performance that clearly set the bar of what to expect from the amazing unsigned talent in the room.
Bringing their unique Rock ‘n Roll sound to TROXY, were ‘Hunter And The Bear‘. Pumped for the release of new rock banger ‘Who’s Gonna Hear You’, Hunter And The Bear gave it their all to impress at the Unsigned Music Awards.
With the first ever UMA award for ‘Best Female Solo Act’ just under her belt, new pop sensation ‘Elle Exxe’ was ready to take the Unsigned Music Awards stage by storm. Belting out her hit ‘Home With You’ from the debut album ‘Love Fuelled Hate’ and putting on a great pop show, Elle Exxe is surely one to watch.
Turning up the volume on stage were alternative rockers ‘Chasing Cadence‘. The Hertfordshire five piece put on a great performance of their hit single ‘Dear Life’ at the UMA’s. Once again proving, that you can never really go wrong with a good old solid loud and noisy rock song.
Closing the first Unsigned Music Awards at TROXY were ‘Broken Witt Rebels‘, the winners of ‘Best Rock Act’. And what better way to show that you are a worthy winner, than closing the night with the infectious ‘Guns’ of their recent ‘Georgia Pine’ EP.
The first ever Unsigned Music Awards have shown, that in today’s hectic and highly competitive music industry a platform for unsigned talent is vital. The UMAs have taken leap and showcased the best national and international new acts in a truly inspiring show that lives from talent and shows that being unsigned doesn’t stop you from making a career for yourself.
To relive all the magic and to get seriously invested in your new favourite singer songwriter / band / performer make sure to watch the Unsigned Music Awards 2016 presented by Liquidproof on ShowcaseTV, on SKY, Freesat and Freeview at 9.30pm (GMT) on Monday, 31 October 2016.
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A full list of winners can be found below:
Best Ep / Album / Record: Rothwell (Two EP)
Best Music Video: Gunship (Revel In Your Time)
Best Live Act: Brother & Bones
Best Songwriter: Dani Sylvia
Musicpreneur: Anno Domini
Best Male Solo Act: Mullally
Best Female Solo Act: Elle Exxe
Best Urban Act: Mugun
Best Electronic / Dance Act: MAJIK
Best Rock Act: Broken Witt Rebels
Best Country / Folk Act: Westerman
Best Jazz / Blues Act: Malaika
Youth Music Award: Momac
UMA Icon Award: Boyce Avenue
Best Produced/Engineered Record: Jerry Williams – Let’s Just Forget It
Best International Music Video: Madyx – Some Kisses