Roger Hill is to host The GIT Award 2016
BBC Merseyside’s iconic DJ Roger Hill is to present this year’s GIT Award as aftershow details are revealed.
The GIT Award 2016 is a week away and organisers have revealed BBC Merseyside’s Roger Hill is to present the fifth edition.
Hill, who will present The GIT Award on Saturday May 14 at Baltic Triangle based venue Constellations, is a BBC Merseyside legend having been presenting his Pure Musical Sensations (PMS) show since 1982.
Rising to prominence in the new wave scene, Hill’s fervent passion for a kaleidoscopic range of music is reflected in his PMS programme with a far-reaching blend of breaking new music from across the globe and a keen ear for the best new sounds emanating from Merseyside.
Hill has played a prominent part in the development of UK Youth Theatre, of which he is honorary President. Having began his professional career at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre in the 1980’s he became Associate Director of the main theatre before turning to freelance work for small independent companies. Hill has lectured at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and has written the M.A. in Community Arts for Cumbria University.
Roger Hill in Punk Snow
As a live performer his extravagant alter ego, Mandy Romero, has featured at the Liverpool Bluecoat Arts Centre, an Arts Council Fellowship at the Cable Factory in Helsinki plus two months in China in the Pearl River Delta and Shanghai. Meanwhile his film based on his journal of his first years in Liverpool at Eric’s Club, Punk Snow, premiered in the Spring of 2015.
Hill follows on from previous hosts, musician and journalist John Robb (2012), Anfield Wrap host Neil Atkinson (2013), performance artist Howard Be Thy Name (2014) and last year, Liverpool improvisational comedy collective Impropriety.
Commenting ahead of the show, Roger, said: “The GIT Award has turned up some ripe surprises and prescient decisions in their time and this year I’ll be in on the announcements as they happen, onstage among the music and the tensions and the elation.
“The nominees cover such a range of styles and musical impulses and we can see that Liverpool music is as diverse as it has always been, and just as keen for success. It has been a hard job for judges. I can’t imagine how they’re going to make their final decision, but I know that all of the musicians involved will get a boost from being on the final list. I can’t wait. Good luck to all the nominees.”
The GIT Award 2016 nominees
GIT Award founder, Peter Guy, said: “Roger is so well respected by musicians and music lovers in the city; he’s a natural fit to host The GIT Award. At our initial meeting, Roger talked about his highlights at Liverpool Music Week, Animal Collective, the recent Joanna Newsom show at the Phil and his fondness for emerging Liverpool artists – I was buzzing off his enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see how he imbues his own take on this year’s GIT Award evening.”
Liverpool-based architectural company ArchiPhonic once again involved in setting the scene and creating the visual spectacle for the evening, with founder David Bannister saying, “We love being involved in projects like this, as the majority of our work involves the design of buildings, while this lets us dress them. We’ve been inspired by the music and culture of our incredible city; there’s elements of the industry and port which we’re weaving into the backdrop, visuals and trophies for this year’s Award. It’s an honour to be involved!”
Meanwhile, organisers have revealed an enticing build up and after-show to The GIT Award 2016 with Heavenly Recordings‘ founder Jeff Barrett and fellow label head Danny Mitchell to DJ at new Baltic Triangle-based venue The Black Lodge.
Heavenly Recordings’ Jeff Barrett is DJ-ing at the GIT Award aftershow
The Black Lodge, which is on Kitchen Street (a couple of minutes walk from Constellations) is fast-becoming one of the city’s most exciting new hang-outs, doubling up as a micro brewery as well as live gig venue.
Event producer, Joel Murray, of Liverpool band Barberos, returns after overseeing proceedings at last year’s Kazimier Award show, and has the dizzying task to assemble all the live performances on the night.
He added: “It’s a privilege to be a part of the GIT Award for the second year running. It’s become an important part of the Liverpool scene, helping many up and coming bands move towards bigger things, paying respect to past and current acts and generally celebrating the Merseyside scene – I can’t wait to see it all unfold at Constellations.”
Prior to the show, Constellations will host a BBQ – open to the public and GIT Award ticket holders – with DJs including journalist Jamie Bowman and rising pop-rockers Pink Kink.
The GIT Award 2016 tickets can be purchased here.
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