LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ Idea Generation PR) - Celebrating another successful year for the UK's festival industry despite continuing national economic uncertainty, the UK Festival Awards & Conference has announced the 20 award categories for the 2010 ceremony, and greater opportunities for global recognition through further integration with sister event, Festival Awards
Europe 2011.
With another season almost over for the UK's world-leading calendar of summer music festivals, the list of categories for this year's Festival Awards UK has been unveiled, the winners of which will represent some of the hardest working and most dedicated teams from the UK's live music industry today.
To be considered for the Awards, organisers need to nominate their events. They will then be voted on by the festival-going public, apart from a select number of special awards, which are decided by industry experts.
Winners will be announced at the Festival Awards UK 2010 at indigO2 at The O2, on 18 November. The event will be preceded during the daytime by the Festival Awards Conference, which will bring together the industry to discuss common challenges and network, taking place at the British Music Experience in The O2.
The Award categories for 2010 are: (voted for by the public unless stated)
*: Award chosen by a jury of journalists and industry experts
*: Award chosen by agreenerfestival.com
*: Award chosen by a panel of brand, festival and marketing experts
*: Award chosen by TPi magazine
Best Major Festival
Some of the most famous acts in the world, tens of thousands of people and multiple arenas, the largest festivals are a regular pilgrimage for many, and a rite of passage for most.
Best Medium-Sized Festival
Not as large as the giants, but by no means in their shadow, these events provide
a more boutique feel, and a more intimate experience. Many start life much smaller, but have grown to this size due to their popularity.
Best Small Festival
Often quirky, due to a personal touch and grassroots appeal, the cosiness and sense of community at these festivals is second to none for many people. This award celebrates those who stick to the mantra that small is best.
Best Overseas Festival
Increasing numbers of Brits are heading abroad to get their festival fix, choosing a different culture, new surroundings, or sometimes just more reliable weather over home events. Some have become household names the world over for their international appeal.
Line Up Of The Year *
Picking the right bill can make or break a festival - no mean feat when there are hundreds of others trying to better you. Whether it's about securing the biggest names in the world, putting together some special collaborations, or just knowing what the audience wants, our judges are looking for the festival which had the most vision when booking acts.
Best Metropolitan Festival
Using the existing infrastructure of a town's venues, this sector is growing thanks to no need?for camping, very little threat from the weather and the ability to take place at any time of the year. Sold either on a show-by-show basis, or an all encompassing wristband, they give people chance to see multiple acts in the comfort of the indoors.
Headline Performance of the Year
A remarkable performance by a headliner is the thing that people will talk about for years to come, becoming one of those 'I was there' moments. To succeed, it requires energy, musicianship, dedication and creativity. Some acts may be regulars on the festival circuit, but which one stood out from the pack?
Best Breakthrough Artist
So many new acts perform at festivals, hoping to catch the ears of the masses of music-lovers, and secure their place in musical history. This award celebrates the talent which has managed to get the fans and critics to sit up and pay attention.
Feel-Good Act of the Summer
They may not be the headliner, or even one you particularly came to see, but there's always one act which leaves you with a grin on your face even the worst weather can't shift.
Anthem of the Summer
The ultimate test of any song is how it's received live - and there's no better place than at festivals. While thousands of great records have been lapped up by millions over the summer, a few stood out as true classics, creating defining festival moments and were sung all the way back to the campsite.
Best Dance Event
Rock doesn't have a monopoly on festivals, growing numbers of events solely dedicated to electronic music have been forging a name for themselves as crowds look to dance the day - and night - away to everything from techno to trance and dubstep to house.
The Grass Roots Festival Award in association with Robertson Taylor
Often the best small festivals spring from an organic labour of love and a long-time dream that has been shared by thousands more. These festivals should be celebrated, not just for the courage and vision shown by their organisers, but also because they never forget where they've come from, supporting their local communities and new music along the way while retaining an independent spirit and resisting commercial saturation.
Best New Festival
Once again, a handful of excellent new events were launched this year, bravely taking on those with established reputations and bringing fresh ideas, new music and alternative audiences to the festival scene along with them.
The Greener Festival Award in association with agreenerfestival.com **
The Red Kite mark is awarded by www.agreenerfestival.com on the basis of a questionnaire and where possible an environmental assessment. All festivals must demonstrate that they have coherent green policies promoting environmental efficiency and sustainability, including issues such as CO2 emissions, waste management and recycling.
Best Toilets
One of the most talked-about issues at festivals, whether it's pongy portable loos, the lingering longdrops or the unpleasant urinals, all festival toilets tang, but some stink more than others. Which festival boasted the cleanest cans and the best ratio of toilets to person?
Best Family Festival
Every year, there seems to be more and more children at festivals, with increasingly impressive areas and facilities for kids reflecting this growth. Games, workshops, kid zones and activities for youngsters all combine to make their weekend a memorable one - and often a much easier one for mums and dads.
Promoter of the Year in association with IQ Magazine*
Recognising the festival organiser who has produced an outstanding event, overcome adversity, or truly gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The Lifetime Achievement Award in association with Music Week *
Dedicated to an individual whose personal vision and energy has propelled the entire festival industry forward in a dynamic, creative and positive way.
Best Sponsor Activation in association with Brand Republic ***
Creating an effective brand strategy around festivals is not easy - this award celebrates the most creative and well thought-out sponsor activity this year.
Outstanding Contribution to Festival Production in association with TPi ****
Recognising innovation and dedication in the production industry.
As the Awards continue to grow, events nominated for the Festival Awards UK 2010 will also automatically be entered into the Festival Awards Europe 2011, with all votes cast in the UK Awards also being valid for that event. This new development for 2010 will give British festival organisers two opportunities to be recognised by festival goers across the UK and Europe.
The European event - in association with Yourope and Virtual Festivals Europe - takes place at the Eurosonic Noorderslag conference and festival in The Netherlands on January 12.
Similarly, all European festivals entering themselves for the Festival Awards Europe 2011 will be included in the 'Best Oversees Festival' award category at the UK event in November.
Festival organisers are being urged to submit their event nomination as soon as possible in order to be represented in the longlist nominations. Festival organisers have until Sunday September 12th to complete the entry form before the first round of longlist voting begins later that month. All festival organisers wishing to submit their event for inclusion in the Festival Awards UK 2010 should do so by visiting https://uk.festivalawards.com/ukfa/index.cfm/apply/. The glitzy ceremony for the Festival Awards UK 2010 will take place on Thursday 18th November at indigO2 at The O2.
James Drury, the newly appointed Managing Director of Festival Awards Ltd said: 'Despite the unsteady economy, the festival industry has continued to be successful, which just goes to show how much of a crucial part of the British calendar these events now are, and the skill and commitment of the people working on them.
'The Festival Awards are all about recognising the hard work which goes into producing such an incredible summer for hundreds of festival-goers and celebrating another year of achievements.
'Not only do they give the fans chance to tell festival organisers how much they enjoyed the events they went to, but we have a number of industry-focussed awards, decided by panels of experts who will consider those crucial behind-the-scenes elements which the public doesn't usually think of.'
Tickets for the Festival Awards UK Conference & Awards 2010 have now gone on sale via the exclusive ticketing platform HMV Tickets and are available in the following price structures. Delegates wishing to attend the Conference and/or Award events can combine ticket packages to suit their needs:
Platinum Ticket �145
� Table seat for Festival Awards show with some complimentary drinks at indigO2 at The O2 (12 seats per table; option to buy full table available)
� Three-course gourmet meal with wine
� Entry to UKFA after-show party
� Delegate Bag
Conference only �60
� Full conference delegate pass to all sessions at British Music Experience, The O2, London
� Copy of the UK Festival Report
� Drinks reception
� Delegate Bag
Awards only �30
� Mezzanine access to the Awards show at indigO2 at The O2, London
� Entry to after-show party
More information on the Festival Awards UK Conference & Awards 2010 can be found at www.festivalawards.com and www.festivalconference.com, while tickets can be purchased directly from HMV Tickets by visiting www.hmvtickets.com/festivalawards/events/1311
Editor's Notes
Festival Awards Ltd - www.festivalawards.com
Festival Awards Ltd is the producer of the Festival Awards UK, Festival Awards UK Conference, and Festival Awards Europe. As well as giving fans chance to tell festival organisers which events they think are the best, it also provides industry networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities through the associated UK conference.
Audience - www.audience.uk.com
AUDIENCE is the leading monthly magazine for the international contemporary live music industry, with a circulation of over 3,500 companies and individuals in more than 75 countries worldwide. It's the only publication of its kind in this fast moving, multi-billion-dollar, worldwide industry.
Brand Republic - www.brandrepublic.com
Brand Republic is the UK's leading online destination for people working in the advertising, marketing, media and communications industries. Published by Haymarket Brand Media, Brand Republic connects the country's leading marketing, advertising, media and communications magazines and websites including Campaign, Marketing, MediaWeek.co.uk and PRWeek. Brand Republic also produces exclusive content from its own award-winning editorial team, as well as providing a wealth of information from numerous exclusive content, research and information partners.
IQ - www.iq-mag.net
IQ is a leading, essential magazine presenting news, features and information for business leaders operating in the international live music and entertainment industries. IQ updates its readers - the core of whom are members of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) - on events and progressions in the ever-changing world of the global concert business. The magazine boasts a combined print and online readership of 20,000 professionals in over 70 countries.
Live UK - www.liveuk.com
Sister publication to leading international live music business magazine Audience, LIVE UK's circulation of more than 2,500 comprises key companies and individuals working at all levels of the country's vibrant contemporary live music industry, with a pass-on readership which must be well over 7,000. During the festival planning months of November to March, LIVE UK produces a 20-page outdoor event-focussed supplement called FESTIVAL UK, featuring general news, a focus on event infrastructure and a festival founder profile. During the summer months when events are actually taking place, FESTIVAL UK becomes a four-page section within LIVE UK.
Music Week - www.musicweek.com
For over 50 years Music Week has served as the only business brand that connects diverse and dynamic communities. Through our unique editorial proposition every issue, offers the fastest, the most accurate charts service in the world. As well as breaking the news first, Music Week provides comprehensive coverage of every aspect of the music business, and is ideally positioned to offer unrivalled opportunities for the launch or positioning of your artist or brand in the full gaze of the UK radio, TV and digital tastemakers.
HMV - www.hmv.com
Established in July 1921 through its renowned record store in London's Oxford Street, 90 years on HMV has become a broad-based entertainment brand giving access to much of today's popular culture - from the best new artists to great live music and festivals
Showsec - www.showsec.co.uk
Showsec is Europe's largest security specialist, providing security and crowd control management at festivals throughout the UK. 2010 has seen the company's dedicated security specialists look after audiences in excess of 30 million people, at festivals and events across the board.
TPi Magazine - www.tpimagazine.com
Launched in 1998, Total Production International (TPi) is the definitive magazine for the international live event production industry. The internationally distributed magazine primarily covers the application of sound, lighting, video, and staging design and technologies, as well as all associated event suppliers in the creative environment of concert touring, theatre, festivals, live music venues and special events, no matter how big or small. To create the ultimate 'Total Production' magazine, we endeavour to cover all aspects of production support throughout the year.
Virtual Festivals - www.virtualfestivals.com
Virtual Festivals is the premiere online destination for music festivals, a one-stop shop for the pan-European marketplace. Combining an unrivalled repository of information and content with a social engine that connects event owners and fans, the independently-owned site has grown since 1999 from a one-man bedroom operation into "one of the industry's real success stories" (Music Week). The site now attracts more than 2 million unique users per year (300,000+ p/m) and has over 150,000 subscribed members. It is proud to be the headline media partner for the UK Festival Awards & Conference (at The O2, London) and the European Festival Awards (at Eurosonic, Netherlands).
Robertson Taylor -
www.roberston-taylor.com
Robertson Taylor is widely acknowledged as the leading insurance broker for the music and live event industry. Since our formation in 1977, we have pioneered some of the policies that are, today, accepted as standard for the industry. Our focus and experience means our clients always receive the very best advice and cover, at highly competitive rates. We work with many festivals advising on their insurance requirements along with risk management processes, and arranging the necessary cover. Importantly, we provide a 24/7 claims service. If anything should happen close to the event or over the weekend, you can be sure that someone will be available to assist you.
