The inaugural Liverpool Music Awards are only a couple of weeks away and yet the team behind this unique event have managed to pull out yet another surprise for those attending this must go to event. Alongside The Wombats, Liz McClarnon and Esco Williams, former Spice Girl and singer/actor in her own right Mel C has announced she will be appearing to present one of the awards at the ceremony on Saturday November 17th.
Melanie has just finished a 21-date arena tour of the U.K. and Ireland, performing as Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. She says: “I loved being back in Liverpool and am really excited to be part of the first ever Liverpool Music Awards”.
Also confirmed to present an award is blues legend Connie Lush. The singer, who grew up on Scotland Road, is recognised as one of the finest blues singers that the U.K. has ever produced, winning international awards and touring the world. As BB King said, “That Woman makes my heart sing.”
Connie said, “Any awards that are given, always encourage people to aim high, it feeds ambitions, I am so happy to be involved with our own Liverpool Music Awards.”
The red-carpet event, hosted by Radio 2 D.J. Janice Long, will also see performances from X Factor finalist Craig Colton and M.O.B.O. Unsung award winner Esco Williams, the Sense of Sound Choir and Mark Simpson, the first person ever to win both the B.B.C.’s Young Composer and Young Musician awards in the same year. Also performing collaborations on the night are Katie Taylor, Ivy and The Chance, Manukah, Jamie Broad, Susan Hedges, Stereo Electric Mistress and Charley Blue.
The ceremony at The Dome Grand Central on Saturday, November 17 will see performances from more than 50 Liverpool musicians from a wide range of genres, performing in different collaborations.
Awards organiser Ellie Phillips says: “I’m absolutely ecstatic that the Liverpool Music Awards have the support of such huge music stars. They will really help bring national and even international attention to the awards, and in turn to the musical talent and music industries which we have in Liverpool.”
Set to become an annual event, the Liverpool Music Awards will honour the heroes of the music industry in the city: not only local musicians, but also those behind the scene, who facilitate and inspire others to create and perform on Merseyside. While the scope of the awards provides opportunity to celebrate musical achievements which have gone beyond the borders of the city, at their core the awards are for those who are currently active in Liverpool.
Ian D. Hall
Tickets are available to the public via the website www.liverpoolmusicawards.com