GIT Award winner to play Ono-curated Meltdown at London’ Southbank Centre as Jayne Casey and Neil Atkinson announced to compere Leaf showcase night on Friday April 19.
Yoko Ono has invited the winner of the GIT Award 2013 to support her Plastic Ono Band at Meltdown 2013 – the 20th anniversary of the Festival.
Ono, artist, peace activist, musician and widow to John Lennon, has invited the winner of the GIT Award 2013 to play at her Meltdown-curated festival at London’s Southbank Centre.
The winner joins Yoko’s personally curated festival bill which includes Iggy Pop, Siouxsie, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithful, Boy George, Savages and the Plastic Ono Band who will play John and Yoko‘s Double Fantasy with special guests – the first time the album will be performed live.
The winner of the GIT Award, will be revealed from the carefully selected 12-strong shortlist of exciting emerging Merseyside acts on Friday April 19 at Leaf on Bold Street.
The shortlist of Liverpool’s premier music prize is: Baltic Fleet, Barberos, By The Sea, Nadine Carina, Clinic, Conan, Dan Croll, John Heckle, Jetta, Tyler Mensah, Stealing Sheep and Wave Machines.
Yoko, who celebrates her 80th birthday and joins previous Meltdown curators David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave, said: “One of my hopes for Meltdown is that people will discover new musicians and artists – the GIT Award artists represent artists of the future. And of course I was very keen to have a new artist from Liverpool!
“You could say I’m biased but I believe that music from Liverpool and other Northern cities has often shaped our future. John was a great example of this. I look forward to hearing some great new music from Liverpool and to seeing one artist on the bill for Meltdown. It’s the future!”
GIT Award founder and chair of judges, Peter Guy, said: “The GIT Award is only in its second year, yet to have Yoko Ono inviting one of the prizes’ shortlisted artists to play alongside her is remarkable news for all involved.
“This is the reason why the Award was created – to show people what superb musicians are on our doorstep – and help spread their music across the world.
Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music at Southbank Centre, said: “Working with Yoko is an amazing experience. Her generous and abundant creativity and desire for collaboration continues to inspire this brilliant programme for our 20th Meltdown Festival.”
Meanwhile, the comperes for this year’s GIT Award showcase at Leaf on April 19, are artist, musician and culture guru Jayne Casey and film-maker and the voice of the Anfield Wrap, Neil Atkinson.
Casey is co-founder of Cream, musician with the likes of Big In Japan and Pink Industry, and the artistic director for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture.
Atkinson, director of indie short ‘Pro’ and co-founder of the Spirit Of Shankly, is the voice of the Anfield Wrap; Britain’s second most popular podcast which specialises in football, culture and music.
Neil said: “I’m very excited to be involved with The GIT Award; being given the opportunity to host a massive party celebrating that can only be fantastic and I know Peter wants everyone involved to have as much fun as possible – Jayne and I will hope to oblige.”
Jayne said: “The GIT Award is going to be so cool – a chance for Liverpool to celebrate a new generation of musicians that the world has yet to hear.”
Peter added: “Jayne and Neil represent everything the GIT Award stands for – restless, creative spirits who are forward-looking and passionate about Liverpool. I’m sure they’ll add to an unforgettable night at Leaf.”
Jayne Casey
Since its relaunch in November 2012 up until the closing date at the end of February 2013, the GIT Award received more than 380 entries.
The shortlist was then decided by a 12-strong judging panel comprising respected music industry figures including BBC 6 Music presenter and son of John Peel, Tom Ravenscroft, the editor of rock and pop music bible Q Magazine, Liverpool-born Andrew Harrison , Matt Wilkinson, NME‘s new music editor, leading UK music website, The Quietus‘ editor, John Doran plus the cornerstones of Liverpool’s music and arts scene.
Andrew Harrison, editor of Q, said: “This is a genuinely impressive and varied shortlist proves that Merseyside continues to generate fantastic musical talent like nowhere else on earth. The standard of entries was high across board and in common, I suspect, with a lot of the judges, I found the decision-making process very hard.
“Best of all, the artists we heard managed to draw on Liverpool’s musical heritage without living in the past – proving that even with its world-beating history, Liverpool music continues to forge ahead.”
The industry showcase evening at Leaf, which also played host to last year’s ceremony, is strictly invite only and will include performances from the shortlisted artists.
The overall winner will receive a cash prize of £1000 and a special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry (won last year by the team behind city venue The Kazimier), will also be presented.
Live visuals, videos and mementoes for each nominee will be created by Liverpool design agency Milk:Presents while former Liverpool Art Prize nominee Jayne Lawless will create two specially designed awards for the winners of the GIT Award 2013 and The Inspiration Award.
Matt Wilkinson, NME radar editor, said: “Once again the GIT Award showcases Liverpool’s thriving music scene from the classic alt-rock of Clinic to breakout acts like Dan Croll and By The Sea, through to completely new stars in waiting like Jetta and Tyler Mensah. Whoever wins the overall prize, new Liverpool music is clearly worth shouting about.”
In addition a ‘People’s Choice’ online poll consisting of the 12 nominees will be hosted on Bido Lito!, Getintothis, Juice FM and Seven Streets allowing the public the opportunity to have their say on Liverpool’s finest music of 2012-2013.
For news of this, pick up Bido Lito! on Thursday when the new edition hits the streets on Thursday.
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 its 2013 edition is set to spread the message even further.
– The Quietus
– The Guardian
– NME
Businesses who would like to get involved can email [email protected] for more information.
Further GIT Award 2013 reading
GIT Award 2013 at Leaf on Bold Street Friday April 19 with £1000 to winners.
For a full list of the GIT Award 2013 judges and their profiles read here.
The GIT Award 2013 returns championing the best of Merseyside music.
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.
