The votes are in, and the multi-award winning girl group, Little Mix, have been crowned the winners! Little Mix will take the Best Live Act Award, sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, at today’s O2 Silver Clef Awards.

The only award voted for by the public at the O2 Silver Clef Awards, ‘Mixers’ proved their dedication to give the band the title of Best Live Act, fighting off fierce competition from the likes of Beyoncé, Coldplay, Stormzy and Take That. The group received over 50% of the total vote, making the girls clear champions, who will now sit alongside previous winners such as One Direction (2016 & 2013), Arctic Monkeys (2015), and Sir Paul McCartney (2011).

On their win, Little Mix said: “We can’t thank our fans enough for awarding us with the Best Live Act! To win in such company as these nominees, and be the first female act to take home the award is an incredibly proud moment for us. We have so much respect for Nordoff Robbins and the work that they do, it is such a wonderful charity. We really are so honoured to receive this award at the O2 Silver Clefs today.”

The Best Live Act winners are currently on their arena tour, which will see them play 60 shows across Europe, Australia and Asia, selling over 500k tickets. They are now chart-topping, with four UK number one singles, and have over one billion YouTube and Vevo views worldwide. The band received the Best British Single honour at the Brit Awards this year. Their debut album DNA, reached the top ten in ten countries, smashing a record the Spice Girls held for almost two decades.

Andrew Parsons, MD Ticketmaster UK says, “Ticket selling phenomenon Little Mix made history by becoming the first and only group to win the X Factor, and thanks to their loyal fans, they are now the first female act to win the Best Live Act award. It was great to see the band make the shortlist for the second year in a row, and winning the award is thoroughly deserved.”

Fans voted for the shortlist of ten artists, who performed in the UK between March 2016 and March 2017, handpicked by a panel of music industry experts. The nominated artists were:

Beyoncé
Bruce Springsteen
Christine and The Queens
Coldplay
Iron Maiden
Little Mix
Melanie Martinez
Shawn Mendes

Fans who voted either via the Ticketmaster website or with the relevant hashtag on Twitter, were automatically entered to win a unique portrait of their favourite live act. The lucky fan will receive the attached painting by Instagram artist Will Thompson.
 
Little Mix have thanked fans via a video posted here: http://bit.ly/2tnr435
 

The Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards will be held tomorrow, Friday, 30th June.
 
www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Newly crowned as BBC Music’s Introducing Artist of the Year, Izzy Bizu has released brand new single ‘Talking To You’. Take a listen here.

The BBC Music Award win rounds off a huge year for the 22 year-old South Londoner who released her debut album in September, was nominated for and played the MOBO Awards, recorded the theme tune for the Euro 2016 Championships, performed at multiple festivals across the summer and has only recently returned from an 8 date tour of the US as part of the BBC Presents Tour with Spring King and Sundara Karma.

Izzy perform lived on BBC One tonight as part of the Music Awards, following in the steps of past winners including Catfish and the Bottlemen and Jack Garratt. 

She has also announced two headline shows for 2017:

Tuesday, 14th February - Manchester, Club Academy
Wednesday, 15th February - London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Stream / Buy A Moment Of Madness including ‘Talking To You’

Spotify: http://smarturl.it/IzzyAMOMSP
Apple Music: http://smarturl.it/IzzyAMOMAM
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/IzzyAMOMIT

Thanks and credit goes to the BBC Music Sound Of 2017 team.

BBC Music Sound Of 2017 announces a range of exciting new music acts for the coming year.

Around 170 influential music industry experts including DJs, critics, broadcasters, bloggers and for the first time international pundits were asked to name their top three favourite new acts from any musical genre. The top 15, which this year includes AJ Tracey, Cabbage, Nadia Rose, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and The Japanese House are announced today.

The top five will be revealed in January on BBC Radio 1, counting down one each day from Monday 2nd January with the BBC Music Sound Of 2017 winner announced on Friday 6th January on Clara Amfo’s show.

The list was started in 2003 and has a history of predicting the acts that will make it big. Last year’s winner was British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt, whose debut album ‘Phase’ charted at No. 3 in the UK album charts. Other previous winners include Years & Years, Sam Smith, HAIM, Ellie Goulding and Adele.

Once again the list boasts a diverse range of talent, such as West London’s AJ Tracey, a versatile MC to have emerged from the UK’s buzzing grime underground, singer-songwriter Walsall native Jorja Smith, mononymous rapper and producer Dave, Reading-based rock band The Amazons, East London rapper Stefflon Don, and Bedford singer-songwriter Tom Grennan who has already collaborated with Chase & Status.

Several artists on the list have been supported early in their careers by the BBC, including Manchester based neo post-punk band Cabbage who have played on 6 Music and BBC Introducing this year and Ray BLK who has performed in the 1Xtra live lounge and recently was Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World. As well as The Japanese House, the cool electronic pop sound and mastermind of twenty-one year old artist Amber Bain who made her debut live appearance in a Radio 1 session and Pop musician RAYE who amazed the crowd at the BBC Introducing stage at The Great Escape 2015 and MistaJam’s Radio 1Xtra show world premiered her new track ‘Ambition’.

Other artists on the list include singer-songwriter Declan McKenna who won the Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition last year, the multi-faceted female rapper Nadia Rose who has opened shows for Busta Rhymes and featured on Radio 1Xtra’s playlist. Hip-hop meets blues meets soul in singer-songwriter Rag ‘n’ Bone Man who has performed live several times for the BBC including in session for Jo Whiley’s Radio 2 programme and on BBC Two’s Later… with Jools Holland, is also on the list.

International artists on this year’s list include American producer, song-writer and performer Maggie Rogers, who stunned Pharrell Williams at his Masterclass with her mixture of folk and electronic music and Californian singer-songwriter, rapper, producer and drummer Anderson Paak, who gained worldwide acclaim after featuring on Dr. Dre’s ‘Compton’ album.

The BBC Music Sound Of 2017 long list in alphabetical order:

·         AJ Tracey
·         Anderson .Paak
·         Cabbage
·         Dave
·         Declan McKenna
·         Jorja Smith
·         Maggie Rogers
·         Nadia Rose
·         Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
·         Ray BLK
·         RAYE
·         Stefflon Don
·         The Amazons
·         The Japanese House
·         Tom Grennan

BBC Radio 1 DJ’s Huw Stephens and MistaJam will announce the top five acts, counting down to the winner, live on Clara Amfo’s show each day. The top five acts will be announced each morning from 2nd January and simultaneously on the BBC News website and BBC Music Sound Of 2017 website.

BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 2 and 6 Music are in a unique position to be able to do more than other stations to discover and provide a national platform for new talent, and have supported many of the acts in this year’s list. This is through initiatives such as BBC Introducing shows, festivals and live sessions as well as inclusion on their varied playlists.

Chris Price, Head of Music, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, says: “The BBC Music Sound Of panel, always the broadest and most objective list of new music taste-makers assembled each year - which now includes international voices too - has delivered yet another exciting and diverse list of new and emerging talent to look out for next year. These are the names that will capture the imagination of music lovers the world over in 2017, and I'm delighted to say that every single one has already received significant support on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, both in evening and daytime shows. They join former winners - and now household names - such as Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Years & Years, continuing Radio 1 and 1Xtra's commitment to discovering and breaking new talent on the global stage. Judging by the crop of talent on this year's long list, there's no shortage of future stars to choose from."

Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Music and Radio says: “The BBC’s commitment to developing new talent goes to the very heart of our public service purpose. BBC Music Sound Of, as well as BBC Introducing, are increasingly important ways that music lovers can make sure they are immediately across the musical superstars of the future.”

MistaJam, BBC Radio DJ says: “The BBC Music Sound of 2017 longlist shows that next year is already shaping up to be a big one filled with amazing music from homegrown talent that are already being supported across Radio 1 and 1Xtra. From the driving rock of The Amazons to Dave’s 18-year-old inner city street tales via Maggie Rogers’ Folk meets Electronic soundscapes; the list shows the breadth and quality of what we can all expect next year.”

Azi Eftekhari, Head of Music Content Partnerships at YouTube and Google Play says; "BBC's Sound Of has become the definitive yearly list of new talent, and it's always an honour to contribute. It already feels like 2017 is going to be a very special year for new music and I'm looking forward to seeing what the year holds for all the artists on the long list."

Twitter users can tweet about the list using the hashtag #SoundOf2017.

Profiles of all 15 artists are available on the BBC Music Sound Of 2017 website.

Last year’s Sound Of 2016 winner, Jack Garratt, was joined on the shortlist by Alessia Cara, NAO, Blossoms, Mura Masa and WSTRN.

The previous winners are: Years & Years (2015), Sam Smith (2014) HAIM (2013) Michael Kiwanuka (2012), Jessie J (2011), Ellie Goulding (2010), Little Boots (2009), Adele (2008), Mika (2007), Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), The Bravery (2005), Keane (2004) and 50 Cent (2003).

Other artists in the top five in previous years include Angel Haze and CHVRCHES (2013), Frank Ocean and Azealia Banks (2012), James Blake and The Vaccines (2011), Hurts (2010), Florence and the Machine, La Roux (2009), Duffy (2008), Klaxons (2007), Plan B (2006), Bloc Party (2005), Franz Ferdinand (2004), Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Dizzee Rascal (2003).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Last year, rock music's newest and most popular awards show - the Journeys Alternative Press Music Awards, Fueled by Monster Energy - shut down rock n' roll city, taking over Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena with ground-breaking performances and an exciting, star-studded red carpet, all with the support of devoted alternative music fans from across the globe. With the Republican National Convention taking over Cleveland this summer, the Alternative Press Music Awards was forced to find a new home for this year's show, and in what better place than the state capitol of Columbus, Ohio. Continuing their endless support of the genre and its community, Alternative Press will stage their own Punk Rock Convention. 
 
The Alternative Press Music Awards are pleased to announce this year's event broadcast live from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus (555 Borror Dr., www.schottensteincenter.com) on the evening of July 18, 2016. 
 

"We are honored and thrilled to have been chosen as the host city of the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards show. Columbus has a vibrant cultural community, and we are excited for this opportunity to show off our thriving arts and music scene." - Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther
 


"We are beyond thrilled to be hosting the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards and would like to officially welcome AP and all of their guests to Columbus. We look forward to being a part of what is going to be an amazing night for music and the local community."
- Mike Gatto, general manager of Schottenstein Center


 
The 2016 APMA's will go head to head - live on TV and via social media - against the Republican National Convention. Although many of Alternative Press' young readers may not be able to vote in the upcoming U.S. election, those same readers can let their voices be heard by voting for their favorite artists for the Alternative Press Music Awards.
 

Tickets for the third annual Alternative Press Music Awards will be available through Ticketmaster. Details regarding tickets and VIP packages, nominees, honorees, performers, voting, pre-show parties, red carpet appearances, and more will be available soon via www.altpress.com/apmas. 
 

When it came to selecting the hosts for the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards, the choice was obvious. After last year's non-stop volley of infectious jokes, witty anecdotes and charming introductions, it was clear Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat - eight-time AP cover stars and now presidential nominees - of All Time Low could not be topped. The APMA's proudly welcomes the duo back to host this year's main event! 

 
"We are so happy to be returning to the APMA's this year to host. Last year we didn't make a lot of new friends (sad face emoji), so this year - we're coming back as something no one can hate, politicians! We look forward to being part of this Punk Rock Convention. Get ready to vote - Stay tuned."  - Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of All Time Low
  

Each Alternative Press Music Awards show has featured some of the greatest artists in modern music, ranging from today's biggest rock stars such as Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic! At The Disco and Weezer, to musical legends such as Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Slash, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Smashing Pumpkins and Ice-T. Countless renowned artists such as Rob Zombie, Blink-182, Twenty One Pilots, Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low, Motionless In White, Run of RUN DMC, Bring Me The Horizon, and beyond have appeared at the APMA's, with spectacular performances from artists including (but not limited to) New Found Glory, Yellowcard, A Day To Remember, Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace, Motion City Soundtrack and more. Additionally, the APMA's is recognized for presenting collaborative cover performances unlike music fans have ever seen before, like Joan Jett and Slash teaming up to perform "Star Star" by the Rolling Stones, Asking Alexandria performing Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf" with Jonathan Davis of Korn, Halestorm and Slipknot/Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor covering Temple Of The Dog's "Hunger Strike", and many more.
 

Last year's event - which took place July 22, 2015 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland - was a massive victory for the music community, garnering unprecedented support demonstrated by a staggering 15.7 billion total media impressions (over seven times the impressions of the 2014 show). Last year's event also earned the title of "The GRAMMYs of Alternative Music" by TIME Magazine. The 2015 Alternative Press Music Awards achieved over 1 million views on AXS TV, and over 3 million views on YouTube. Re-live 2015's best moments via the highlight reel here. 
  

"Fans are going to be blown away by all of the surprises we already have planned for this year's APMA's. We've been working on the 2016 show since right after last year's ended, and I already cannot wait to start announcing the initial line-up in the upcoming weeks."  
- Alternative Press Founder and CEO Mike Shea
 
Building upon the success of last year's event, the APMA's is thrilled to once again be supported by returning title sponsor Journeys, a leader in the teen specialty retail scene focused on lifestyle-driven branded footwear and accessories in over 800 stores across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. 
 
"Journeys is excited to return as the title sponsor for the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards. Music has been in our DNA since we opened our first store in 1986. Through our partnership we're able to capture exclusive content and customize unique campaigns and contests - all to support our employees, our core consumers and a talented community of artists. We've worked with AltPress for several years as an advertiser and are looking forward to building upon an already strong relationship."  - Jim Estepa, president and chief executive officer, Journeys.
  
In addition to Journeys, the APMA's welcomes back fellow sponsors Monster Energy, CreativeLive, DW Drums, CD Baby, and Disc Makers.
 
Don't miss the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards and your chance to cast your vote for your favorite bands! Check www.altpress.com/apmas over the coming weeks for new announcements and information.
 
The APMA's are produced by Mike Shea, Joe Scarpelli, Josh Bernstein, Kevin Lyman and Marc Grant.