Getintothis announces The GIT Award 2013 by teaming up with former nominee and MOBO Award winner Esco Williams for November 16 launch party at Leaf’s Grey Space.
– The Quietus
– The Guardian
– NME
Liverpool’s premier new music prize returns on Friday November 16 after the inaugural prize – widely considered as putting the city firmly back on the world’s music map – was hailed a huge success.
Launched in November 2011, The GIT Award, captured the music industry’s imagination.
Dubbed the ‘Scouse Mercury Prize,’ it became the first regional award of its kind in the UK to champion new and emerging music.
Collaborating with over 80 companies from Merseyside and the national music industry, the Award showcased Liverpool’s rich musical diversity, from the thriving hip hop scene to its electronica artists, from its long-established country and roots community to punk, folk and metal.
The result was a showcase which captured the world’s music press garnering coverage from the BBC, MTV, NME, the national print and online press, the UK music industry, lifestyle magazines and the cornerstones of Liverpool’s media.
The 2013 award, which launches on 16 November this year, is no different. The GIT Award judges, which so far include The NME, The Quietus, Liverpool Football Club and the cornerstones of the Liverpool music and arts scene, will seek to find the very best new music emanating from within Merseyside’s melting pot of creativity.
For November’s launch organisers have teamed up with one of the big success stories of the first GIT Award, Esco Williams for the launch of his debut single – The New Challenger.
Since his nomination, Toxteth-born Williams, has gone from virtual unknown to a MOBO Award winner and for this year’s GIT Award launch organisers will host a special party in collaboration with Esco at Leaf’s Grade II Listed Grey Space on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
Peter Guy, Liverpool ECHO journalist and editor of Getintothis, said: “The GIT Award is once again open to all. I want the prize to appeal to everyone from bedroom musicians to those with record deals, all we’re asking is for Merseyside musicians to send us their four tracks and who knows who will make the shortlist this year.
“For November’s launch, we’ve teamed up with Esco Williams as he’s a fine example of what the GIT Award aims to do; champion new Liverpool music. Esco went from promising performer to capturing the national media’s attention and now he’s won a MOBO Award. His story is mirrored by many of last year’s nominees. Let’s hope this year’s GIT Award finds a few more hidden gems.”
From over 380 entries in its first year, the 12 shortlisted GIT Award 2011 artists were: Bang On, Ex-Easter Island-Head, Forest Swords, Loved Ones, Miss Stylie, Mugstar, Ninetails, Outfit, Bill Ryder-Jones, Stealing Sheep, Tea Street Band and Esco Williams.
The nominees performed at a special showcase night hosted by John Robb at Leaf on Bold Street in April 2012 before Loved Ones were unveiled as the eventual winners.
A special GIT Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry was unveiled on the night and collected by the team behind the Kazimier.
Founder of Leaf, Natalie Haywood, said: “It was a joy to host the inaugural GIT award at Leaf celebrating the amazing talent we have in this city. Liverpool has always been a hotbed of musical talent and our venue hosts a lot of new and established artists, we are looking forward to welcoming the next GIT Award.”
Liverpool music lovers know their city is home to some of the finest creative talent in the world. However, eyes and ears elsewhere may need convincing. The inaugural GIT Award readdressed all that and returns for 2013 to build on this success.
Musicians, bands and creative types who would like to enter for this year’s prize are asked to send four tracks to [email protected] or alternatively post to Peter Guy, The GIT Award, Liverpool Daily Post & ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.
Businesses who would like to get involved can email [email protected] for more information.
The closing date for entries will be Spring 2013 with the overall winner of the GIT Award and Inspiration Award to be announced in April 2013.
Some of the press and industry praise for the GIT Award:
The GIT Award was a fantastic celebration of the music from the greatest city on earth. It was wonderful to see the bands we have been championing at Sound City over the past few years being celebrated as the potential bright new things in rock n roll. – David Pichilingi, CEO Liverpool Sound City
The GIT Award was a fantastic breath of fresh air for the Merseyside music scene – giving new Liverpool artists a brilliant platform to showcase their music to a new, national audience. – Paul Rogers, head of content at Liverpool Football Club and GIT Award judge
As a label, we like to recognise our artists’ roots so for Bill Ryder-Jones to get continuing support from Liverpool is wonderful to see. It’s great that a range of artists as diverse as this are being acknowledged by The GIT Award and it goes to show just how colourful the music scene in Liverpool is today – Domino Records
The GIT Award is a great advert for Liverpool and by having Stealing Sheep shortlisted at last year’s award, it really helped to pull focus on the band and the great music that’s coming out of the city. We are looking forward to seeing how this year’s shortlist shapes up – Heavenly Records
Last year’s GIT Award were a superb showcase for the city’s diverse and innovative music scene. The Echo is delighted to promote new talent and champion the city’s rising stars. – Andrew Campbell, Liverpool Echo executive editor
The GIT Award showcased the rich diversity of music talent Liverpool has to offer providing a pivotal platform for new emerging artists while capturing the national media’s attention. The GIT Award night at Leaf proved an incredible showcase in April and I can’t wait for the second year to see which 12 acts are nominated – Wendy Simon, Liverpool Cabinet member for Culture and Tourism
Liverpool’s musical heritage is great but Liverpool’s future is more interesting. I love Getintothis for the glimpse it gives of Liverpool’s musical future. – Paul Du Noyer, author of Liverpool Wondrous Place and music journalist
Musicians are usually quite needy types who love public displays of gratitude and devotion so anything that caters to those whims can only be a good thing, right?
Please can we have Shack reform for next year’s event? – Andy Capper, Vice Magazine editor and GIT Award judge
The GIT Award 2012 was one of the highlights of the city’s musical calendar. It showed the strength of the Liverpool music offer, raised the profile of the city’s music scene, and attracted vast positive national coverage. – Kevin McManus, Liverpool Vision
Last year’s GIT Award helped to bring Liverpool’s music scene to national attention – I’m pleased to see it back this year and can’t wait to get involved again. – Matt Wilkinson, NME Radar editor and GIT Award judge
The GIT Award – what a blast! A great way for a city bursting with talent to show off its wares and make sure it holds its crown as the most innovative, exciting and original musical conglomeration in the UK. Alexandra Topping, The Guardian.
GIT Award further reading on Getintothis
Reaction, report and pictures from The GIT Award 2012
Getintothis speak to Loved Ones after they scoop inaugural GIT Award.
Getintothis on The Kazimier and their GIT 2012 Inspiration Award.
Getintothis picture gallery part one of the GIT Award 2011
Getintothis picture gallery part two of the GIT Award 2011.
Getintothis‘ NME scene report and focus on the GIT Award and new Liverpool music.
Getintothis profiles the 12 shortlisted artists for the GIT Award 2011.
Getintothis‘ GIT Award 2011 podcast with Jamie Bowman and The Double Negative.
Getintothis on Royal Standard director Sam Venables creating the first GIT Award trophy
Getintothis teams up with Liverpool and UK’s creative business sector.
Liverpool Daily Post on The GIT Award: A forward thinking music award for Liverpool
Getintothis on why there’s never been a better time to champion new music in Liverpool.
Getintothis launches the GIT Award – celebrating the best of Merseyside music.
