Rodriguez, Bloem, Sphere among Arthurs winners

The international live music industry’s best-loved awards – The Arthurs – were handed out during the biggest Gala Dinner in the event’s history.

More than 450 professionals attended the ceremony at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London last night (27 February).

In keeping with the conference theme, the event went under the title The Sub-Aquatic Gala Dinner and Arthur Awards, with CAA’s Emma Banks returning as host, assisted by A Greener Future’s Claire O’Neill.

Eleven awards were handed out in total, including the famous Bottle Award, which recognises an individual who has contributed greatly to the live music industry.

This year’s Bottle Award recipient was Phil Rodriguez, CEO of Latin America’s Move Concerts, which has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico and Miami. The legendary promoter, who has chalked up almost 50 years in the live business, was instrumental in the development of touring in the continent and has worked with artists such as Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, U2, Shawn Mendes, Bruno Mars, Shakira, Katy Perry and Iron Maiden.

“Congratulations to this year’s Arthur winners, who show the strength and depth of the live business across the world”

The top promoter award went to Kim Bloem of Mojo Concerts in the Netherlands, while the ‘second least offensive agent’ category was won by Chris Payne of WME. The top festival award (Ligger’s Favourite Festival) went to Rock in Rio, Brazil and Sphere, Las Vegas, claimed the Venue Award, while the Assistant Award went to Louise Thomas of SJM Concerts.

“Congratulations to this year’s Arthur winners, who show the strength and depth of the live business across the world,” says ILMC MD Greg Parmley. “2025’s ILMC Gala Dinner was the biggest edition in our long history and I also want to thank everyone involved in its production.

“It was a particular pleasure to see Phil Rodriguez receive the prestigious Bottle Award. The response of the hundreds of industry peers in the room shows the warmth and deep respect felt towards a man who has led the way in developing the international touring market across South America.”

For more than two and a half decades, The Arthur Awards (the live music industry’s Oscar equivalents) have taken place during ILMC. The shortlist of nominees in each category are decided by a committee of 150 industry professionals. Winners are then decided by a combination of an open vote of all ILMC members and IQ Magazine readers, and a closed panel of judges made up of senior industry figures.

The full list of winners can be found below.

THE INDUSTRY CHAMPION AWARD (THE UNSUNG HERO)

Pascal Viot, YES Group & Paléo Festival

THE ASSISTANT AWARD (THE PEOPLE’S ASSISTANT)

Louise Thomas, SJM Concerts

THE PRODUCTION SERVICES AWARD (SERVICES ABOVE & BEYOND)

Beat the Street

THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD (SERVICES ABOVE & BEYOND)

Freyja Handy, ASM Global

THE TICKETING PROFESSIONAL AWARD (THE GOLDEN TICKET)

Andrew Parsons, Ticketmaster

THE VENUE AWARD (FIRST VENUE TO COME INTO YOUR HEAD)

Sphere, Las Vegas

THE YOUNG EXECUTIVE AWARD (TOMORROW’S NEW BOSS)

Chloe Cura, AEG Presents

THE FESTIVAL AWARD (LIGGERS’ FAVOURITE FESTIVAL)

Rock in Rio, Brazil

THE PROMOTER AWARD (THE PROMOTERS’ PROMOTER)

Kim Bloem, Mojo Concerts

THE AGENT AWARD (SECOND LEAST OFFENSIVE AGENT)

Chris Payne, WME

THE BOTTLE AWARD

Phil Rodriguez, Move Concerts

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