Get ready for a musical revolution in the North West! The Youth Music Awards are ditching London's limelight and heading to Liverpool for their 2026 bash. After six years of ruling the capital, organisers are shaking things up by relocating to a city that's bursting with creativity and energy.
The decision comes hot on the heels of some damning data that reveals a stark imbalance in music funding across the UK. A staggering 86% of Youth Music-funded organisations are based outside London, leaving emerging artists and grassroots venues high and dry. And it's not just about numbers – there are currently 33,500 young people waiting for places on Youth Music programmes, with North West talent lagging behind its South East counterparts by a whopping 20%. The writing's on the wall: one-third of Youth Music-funded projects are at risk of shutting down due to financial woes.
This move is part of a broader trend in the UK music industry, where top awards are swapping London for other cities. Remember when the MOBO Awards first ventured beyond the capital in 2009? They've been visiting Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Manchester ever since! More recently, the BRITs took to the stage in Manchester, marking their first time outside London in nearly five decades – and they're set to return next year. Even the Mercury Prize has followed suit, holding its ceremony in Newcastle last year and heading back later this year.
The impact is already being felt in Liverpool, where 21 new job roles have been created to give young people a chance to get hands-on experience in the music industry. Singer-songwriter Myles Smith, who's judging the 2026 awards, says it's all about accessibility: “As someone whose journey started in grassroots music, I know how crucial it is to have people who believe in you and opportunities that help you take the next step. Access to music shouldn't depend on where you're from or what you can afford.”
Carol Reid, Interim Co-CEO at Youth Music, reiterates their commitment to making music accessible to all: “At a time when grassroots projects across the country are facing huge challenges, it's more important than ever to celebrate the talent and creativity in our communities. We're thrilled to bring the Awards to Liverpool this year and shine a light on the people shaping a music industry that's truly diverse, inclusive, and representative.” The 2026 awards are open to Youth Music NextGen Fund recipients or artists involved in a Youth Music-funded project since January 2021 – with nominations for the 11 categories set to be announced soon!