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26 August 2026 12:53 PM

Nominations announced for 2026 Youth Music Awards

The awards bash will head to Liverpool for the first time in October.

By Nick Reilly

JayaHadADream was a big winner at last year's ceremony

The nominations have been announced for the 2026 edition of the Youth Music Awards, which shine a light on the best emerging artists across the UK.

The charity, which plays a key role in helping young people change their lives through music and start career, will host the awards at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall on Wednesday October 28, marking the first time the ceremony has left London since launching in 2019. 

It takes in 11 categories for artists and wider industry roles including the Rising Star Award (Artist), Rising Star Award (Industry), Lyricist Award, Music Video Award, Music Producer Award, Original Track Award (Group) and Original Track Award (Solo).

There is also recognition for community led initiatives and trailblazing leaders through the Outstanding Project, Social Action Award, Young LeaderAward, and Inspirational Music Leader categories.

“We’re so excited to announce this year’s Youth Music Awards nominees,” said Youth Music’s interim co-CEO Carol Reid. “It’s an inspiring snapshot of what a more diverse and creative music industry could look like, if we support grassroots music. These are the future changemakers of our industry.

“In fact, the last three Mercury Prize winners all came through Youth Music-funded projects at some point in their journey. Behind many of the artists we see on the biggest stages are local grassroots projects giving young people the space, support and opportunities to develop their talent. So, we can’t wait to celebrate them in Liverpool this year. It’s going to be a brilliant evening.”

It comes after last year’s ceremony saw major wins for the likes of JayaHadADream and English Teacher.

Check out the nominations in full below.

Rising Star Award (Industry) Sponsored By Kickers

  • Honey Keenan (NextGen Fund – Scotland)
  • Jed Wright – (NextGen Fund – South East)
  • Rianne Lewis (NextGen Fund – London)

Rising Star Award (Artist) Sponsored By Empire

  • HULTON (NextGen Fund – South East)
  • Livvy K (NextGen Fund – North West)
  • Marz Fay (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Righteous Reck (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Roukaya B (NextGen Fund – North West)

Lyricist Award

  • Astles (LIMF Academy – North West)
  • KOJ (LIMF Academy Launchpad – North West)
  • M. Yesekaon (NextGen Fund – Wales)
  • Simon A (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Sunkissed Child (NextGen Fund – London)

Music Video Award Supported By Notion

  • Dayzy (Noise – Merseyside Youth Association – North West)
  • Hillarynx (NextGen Fund – London)
  • IMVN (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Simon a. (NextGen Fund – London)

Music Producer Award Supported by Elephant Music

  • Cherry Seraph (NextGen Fund – Yorkshire & The Humber)
  • IMVN (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Jelia (London)
  • Melba (NextGen Fund – North East)

Original Track Award (Group)

  • C4Truth & RHIA (London)
  • Ronn & Zuko Rosemeid (NextGen Fund – London)
  • TRACKS COLLECTIVE (Yorkshire & The Humber)

Original Track Award (Solo)

  • BEASTIE (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Bethane (Merseyside Youth Association  – North West)
  • Hana (NextGen Fund – London)
  • Shiloh (Youth Music incubator, Phlexx & Mimm Collective – East Midlands)
  • ONYINYÉ (NextGen Fund – West Midlands/Ireland)
  • YV Shells (NextGen Fund – London)

Outstanding Project Supported by Arts Council England 

  • Blue Cabin, This is the Place (North East)
  • Carousel, The Rock House (South East)
  • Conscious Youth CIC, Elevation Music (Yorkshire and The Humber)
  • Jack Drum Arts, Growing Green Music (North East)
  • Jubacana, Music Futures (North West)

Social Action Award Sponsored by Muse Group 

  • Compass Collective (London)
  • Ros Hawley, Songbirds Music UK CIC (North West)
  • Thrive Project (North East)
  • TiPP (North East)

Young Leader Award Sponsored By AQA

  • Finn Simpson Murphy (Young Producers – North East)
  • Josh Dickinson (NextGen Fund – North West)
  • Ria Leah (The Spit Game UK – London

Inspirational Music Leader Sponsored By the MU 

  • Abi Johnson (The Music Works – South West)
  • Holly Prest (Jubacana Music Futures – South East)
  • Souria Boudina (New Sounds Of Crawley – South East)