Merseyside music prize, The GIT Award, has today revealed the 12 shortlisted artists for the 2017 edition.
All 12 nominees, plus the 2017 One To Watch winner will feature in an all-day event at Constellations, in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle on Saturday, May 13.
The GIT Award 2017 shortlist is:
Aystar
Baltic Fleet
Louis Berry
The Coral
God Colony
Immix Ensemble
Ohmns
Or:la
She Drew The Gun
Suedebrown
XamVolo
The Vryll Society
As in previous years, the winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy along with a cheque for £1,000 and recording time at Parr Street Studios.
The GIT (Getintothis) Award, champions the best new Merseyside music, while recognising significant artistic achievement across a range of musical styles.
Mike Deane, Liverpool Music Week director and GIT Award judge, said: “Another year, another brilliant final 12 GIT Award nominees – with arguably the best and certainly the most diverse music selection to date.
“2017 was possibly the most intense the process has been for the judging panel – there are some artists and music I still can’t quite believe haven’t made the shortlist – but there is no question that every one of this final 12 deserves their place.
“I think how tough the decisions were this year definitely reflects just how healthy Liverpool’s current music scene is right now – it’s certainly one of the freshest shortlists we’ve had for The GIT Award since the very beginning with lot of new names for people to discover.”
This year’s shortlist features a mix of newly emerging talent alongside more established names.
Although containing a former award winner in Baltic Fleet, only three artists have previously been nominated for the main award.
Included in the list of nominees for the first time is Louis Berry, who won the 2015 One To Watch Award.
Former nominees XamVolo (2015) and The Vryll Society (2016) make a return to the fold.
Emphasising the diversity of the 2017 award, emerging rap artist Aystar makes the cut as does experimental production duo God Colony.
Having collaborated previously with 2016 award winner Bill Ryder-Jones, neo-classical Immix Ensemble celebrate the launch of their third season with a nomination.
This year’s shortlist was selected by international industry figureheads.
Having relaunched for its sixth year last November at a specially-hosted stage at The Northern Troubadour as part of Liverpool Music Week‘s closing party, the GIT Award judges met on eight occasions from December 2016 until March 2017, discussing 493 eligible artists and bands, before whittling them down to just 12.
Those 12 will now feature at the industry showcase on Saturday May 13, 2017 and will include performances from some of the shortlisted artists plus DJs, and an in-house jam band.
In addition to performances from the nominated artists, May’s event will also see a series of special performances as part of Getintothis’ ongoing celebrations to mark the 10-year anniversary of the website’s launch.
Performances will take place across a number of stages, making full use of Constellations courtyard.
Alongside the live music will be a DJ set from GIT Award judge and founding editor of The Quietus, John Doran.
Also on the night, a special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry will also be presented. Previous recipients are Kevin McManus (2016), Alan Wills & Deltasonic (2015) Africa Oyé (2014), Hillsborough Justice Collective (2013) and The Kazimier (2012).