SJM Concerts paid tribute to the late Chris York after being named Live Music Promoter of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards.

Accepting the award at last night’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House, SJM’s Jack Dowling and John Cornell described their hugely respected former colleague, who died last year aged 55, as a “special guy”.

York was a director at SJM, working with artists including Oasis, Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Chemical Brothers, Lily Allen, Massive Attack, Robert Plant, Underworld, Lorde, Morrissey, Placebo, Suede and Stereophonics over the course of 30 years.

Elsewhere, CAA took home the Live Music Agency prize for a second successive year, with agent Maria May saluting the “exceptional hard work” and collaboration of the team.

“The senior leadership is amazing,” she added. “We all love being in our jobs and we’re extremely grateful to everybody for this award.”

Reading & Leeds, whose 2024 edition was headed by Blink-182, Fred Again.., Lana Del Rey, Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Gerry Cinnamon, claimed Festival of the Year and AXS Europe received the Ticketing Company award.

“Artist management today is not an individual pursuit, it’s a shared enterprise”

In addition, Nottingham’s The Bodega came out on top in the Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene category.

The night’s most prestigious award, The Strat, went to Wildlife Entertainment CEO and longtime Arctic Monkeys manager Ian McAndrew. The band’s frontman Alex Turner made a surprise appearance to present McAndrew with the honour alongside Wildlife MD Emma Greengrass.

McAndrew, who has guided the likes of Travis, Royal Blood, Miles Kane and Fontaines D.C. during his 35-year career, is also a founding member of anti-ticket touting campaign group FanFair Alliance.

“Artist management today is not an individual pursuit, it’s a shared enterprise,” he said. “I’m blessed to work with the very best. I’m particularly fortunate to work alongside my fellow director, Sarah Abbott, and Wildlife MD Emma Greengrass, who is someone I not only value as a great professional manager, she’s someone I cherish as a very dear friend.

“I’m grateful to all our former Wildlife colleagues, particularly to my old partner, Colin Lester, the doctor, with whom I shared some amazing experiences and with a lot of laughs along the way.

“I’m truly fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to do what I want to do, which is to help my artists, my songwriters, get up in the morning, go to bed at night and do what they want to do.”

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The German touring sector is gaining a new awards ceremony as a successor to the Live Entertainment Award (LEA).

First held in Hamburg in 2006, the LEA had been held at Frankfurt’s Festhalle since 2011 and grew into one of the industry’s most prestigious awards shows, but was discontinued two years ago and the organisation behind it dissolved.

However, national trade association the BDKV has now announced the Best Of Live Award (BOLA), which aims to recognise outstanding achievements in live entertainment. The event will debut on 9 December during the gala dinner of the the organisation’s general meeting at the Hotel Palace Berlin.

“The Best Of Live Award is the prize we’ve all been hoping for,” says Sonia Simmenauer, president of the BDKV and chair of the BOLA Jury. “We celebrate the people behind the scenes who make the live experience possible with passion and professionalism. This award brings our community together – in the spotlight and full of appreciation.”

“With the Best Of Live Award, we are creating a platform for excellence, innovation, and collaboration – while strengthening the industry’s network”

The ceremony will be presented by comedians Jeannine Michaelsen and Jan van Weyde and will include nine categories representing the breadth of the industry.

“With the Best Of Live Award, we are creating a platform for excellence, innovation, and collaboration – while strengthening the industry’s network,” says BDKV MD Johannes Everke. “A particular challenge was ensuring that all segments of our broad industry could be represented and have their say. Accordingly, the categories are broadly defined; one half of the jury represents all of our departments, and the other half is made up of experts from around us. And the final vote by our members ultimately makes this award a truly collaborative project.”

All BDKV members can submit proposals from 1 August, with the announcement of the nominees by a jury of members and industry experts to follow on 16 October.

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There were wins for UK venues Co-op Live, The O2 and Wembley Stadium at last night’s 2025 Pollstar Awards, while legendary British promoter Barrie Marshall was inducted into the event’s Hall of Fame.

Held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, the 36th annual awards saw the Marshall Arts founder inducted alongside US promoter Louis Messina of Messina Touring Group and artist Stevie Nicks, as well as Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, which became the first venue to receive the honour.

In addition, Wasserman Music took Booking Agency of the Year, Promoter of the Year went to Rich Schaefer of AEG Presents and WME’s Kirk Sommer was crowned Agent of the Year, with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour winning Major Tour of the Year.

In the international categories, Manchester’s Co-op Live – which opened 11 months ago – was named New Concert Venue of the Year, while there were also prizes for London’s The O2 (Arena of the Year) and Wembley Stadium (Stadium of the Year), CAA’s Chris Dalston (Agent), Ocesa’s Ricardo Gómez (Promoter) and Glastonbury (Festival).

Other honourees included Sphere in Las Vegas (US arena of the Year) and Dead & Company’s Sphere stint at the venue, which won Residency of the Year, plus Coran Capshaw of Red Light Management and Irving Azoff of Azoff Company, who shared the Personal Manager award.

A full list of Pollstar Awards 2025 winners is below:

Major Tour of the Year
Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour

Rock Tour of the Year
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, 2024 World Tour

Pop Tour of the Year
Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour

Country Tour of the Year
Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour

Hip-Hop Tour of the Year
Missy Elliott, Out of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience

R&B Tour of the Year
Usher, Usher: Past Present Future

Latin Tour of the Year
Bad Bunny, Most Wanted Tour

Comedy Tour of the Year
Nate Bargatze, The Be Funny Tour

New Headliner of the Year
Chappell Roan

Support/Special Guest of the Year
Chappell Roan (Olivia Rodrigo)

Residency of the Year
Dead & Company, Sphere

Hall of Fame
Stevie Nicks, Barrie Marshall, Louis Messina, Ryman Auditorium

Lifetime Achievement Award
Gary Kurfirst

Visionary Award
Steve Ballmer

Billie Eilish Award for Sustainability
Sustainability Champion – Mike Sciortino, UBS Arena, Elmont, New York/Sustainability Venue – Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington

Stadium of the Year (US only)
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Stadium of the Year (Outside the US)
Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom

Arena of the Year (US Only)
Sphere, Las Vegas, Nevada

Arena of the Year (Outside of US)
The O2, London, United Kingdom

Personal Manager of the Year
Coran Capshaw of Red Light Management/Irving Azoff, Azoff Company

Venue Executive of the Year
Christy Castillo Butcher, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park

Booking Agency of the Year
Wasserman Music

Independent Booking Agency of the Year 
High Road Touring

Bill Graham Award – Promoter of the Year
Rich Schaefer, AEG Presents

Bobby Broks Award – Agent of the Year
Kirk Sommer, WME

International Booking Agent of the Year
Christopher Dalston, Creative Artists Agency

International Promoter of the Year
Ricardo Gómez, OCESA

New Concert Venue of the Year (North America)
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California

Red Rocks Award – Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California

Theatre of the Year
Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, New York

Nightclub of the Year
9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.

New Concert Venue of the Year (International)
Co-op Live, Manchester, United Kingdom

Music Festival of the Year (Global, over 30,000 attendance)
Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville, Kentucky

Music Festival of the Year (Global, under 30,000 attendance)
Ohana Festival, Dana Point, California

International Music Festival of the Year
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, United Kingdom

Maxie Solters Award – Touring Publicist of the Year
Lary Solters, Scoop Marketing

Rising Star Award
Kiely Mosiman, Wasserman Music

Talent Buyer of the Year
Stacie George, Live Nation

Small Venue Talent Buyer of the Year (Under 10,000 capacity)
Donna Busch, Goldenvoice

Road Warrior of the Year
Marty Horn

Casino/Resort Venue of the Year
Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida

Concert Visuals Company of the Year
Moo TV

Concert Sound Company of the Year
Clair Global

Tour Services Company of the Year
Backline Care

Transportation Company of the Year
Rock-It Cargo

Family Event or Non-Music Tour of the Year
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

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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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The great and the good of the continent’s festival scene were honoured at the 2024 European Festival Awards.

Held last night as part of the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) conference and showcase in Groningen, the Netherlands, the ceremony saw 14 winners crowned, including Poland’s Open’er (Best Major Festival), France’s Hellfest (Line-Up of the Year) and Vlad Yaremchuk & Music Saves Ukraine (Award for Excellence and Passion).

Festivals from over 30 countries took part, with more than 300,000 single votes cast by the public. Recipients included Lifetime Achievement Award winner Juhani Merimaa, who has earned himself the title of the “man who brought rock and roll to Finland” for his work on festivals such as Ankkarock, Ruisrock and Tuska.

Merima was also involved in running Finnish music venue Tavastia Klubi since the 70s up until 2023 when he stepped down as promoter and CEO.

Here are all the winners in the 14 categories of the European Festival Awards 2024

The Take a Stand Award
Presented by: Take a Stand
EXIT Festival, RS

Line-Up of the Year
Presented by: IQ Magazine
Hellfest, FR

The Event Safety Award
Presented by: YES Group
Timișoara – Capital of Culture, RO

Agent of the Year
Anna Bewers, Wasserman Music

Best Small Festival
Gladiolen Festival, BE

Newcomer of the Year
Presented by: ESNS
Benson Boone, US

The Brand Activation Award
Lowlands & IKEA, NL

Best Medium-Sized Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH

The Green Operations Award
Presented by: GO Group
We Love Green, FR

Best Major Festival
Presented by: See Tickets
Open’er Festival, PL

The Award for Excellence and Passion
Vlad Yaremchuk & Music Saves Ukraine, UA

Promoter of the Year
Presented by: Pollstar
Gadget Entertainment Group, CH

New Kid on the Block 2024
Presented by: DIY Magazine
Filip Košťálek, Colours Of Ostrava, CZ

Lifetime Achievement Award
Juhani Merimaa, FI

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The cream of the UK’s live business turned out for the LIVE Awards 2024 at Troxy in East London last night (11 December).

The event, which took place in association with Skiddle, was attended by more than 500 guests including promoters, venues, agents, festivals, artist managers and more, the event saw awards collected by individuals and companies from across the live music community.

Fifteen awards, covering all sectors of live music, were handed out in total, culminating in the presentation of The LIVEtime Achievement Award to MOBO Group founder and CEO Kanya King.

In her speech, King announced for the first time that she is being treated for bowel cancer.

“Learning I have stage 4 bowel cancer was something I never saw coming and I am still processing this unexpected reality,” she said. “While this journey will undoubtedly be challenging, I’ve always believed in finding meaning through adversity. This diagnosis isn’t the end of my story—it’s a chance to inspire resilience, raise awareness, use this moment to not only fight my own battle but to amplify the message of early detection and the importance of proactively taking charge of your health. If my story can save just one life, then it’s a story worth telling.”

“The LIVE Awards was, once again, a fitting end to another landmark year for UK live music”

Other winners, chosen by a panel of industry experts, included Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (Venue of the Year), WME (Booking Agency >21), Mother Artists (Booking Agency <21): AEG Presents UK (National Promoter of the Year), Victorious Festival (Major Festival of the Year) and title sponsor Skiddle (Ticketing Service 2024).

Hosted for the second year running by Thanyia Moore, the LIVE Awards 2024 were supported by Skiddle alongside primary sponsors Tysers Live, PPL, PRS for Music, Ticketmaster, d&b audiotechnik and Equals Money, as well as Club Soda and all of the individual category sponsors.

“The LIVE Awards was, once again, a fitting end to another landmark year for UK live music,” says LIVE CEO Jon Collins. “A year when we delighted millions and demonstrated to Government why we fully deserve our seat at the top table of policy development. But also a year when too many venues closed, festivals called time and tours were cancelled or curtailed.

“Everyone in attendance at the Troxy believes in the power of music and goes above and beyond to deliver incredible experiences. All deserved this night to come together, recognise and reward those that have had the greatest year and prepare for 2025, with all the challenges and opportunities it will bring.”

The full list of The LIVE Awards 2024 winners is as follows:

The LIVE Green Award: onboard:earth
The LIVE Workforce Award: Attitude is Everything
Venue of the Year: OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Grassroots Champion: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Booking Agency (>21): WME
Booking Agency (<21): Mother Artists
National Promoter of the Year: AEG Presents UK
Regional Promoter of the Year: Shine
Ticketing Service 2024: Skiddle
Major Festival of the Year: Victorious Festival
Festival of the Year: Slam Dunk Festival
Production Supplier 2024: Eat to the Beat
Brand Partnership 2024: FREENOW x Music Venue Trust
Road Warrior of the Year: Carl Lewis
LIVEtime Achievement Award: Kanya King, CBE

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The list of nominees for the Arthur Awards 2025, the live music industry’s favourite and most established awards, has been revealed.

The awards and Gala Dinner will return to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 27 February 2025, as part of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC).

Compered by CAA’s London co-head Emma Banks, the awards will honour 10 industry trailblazers in front of 500 of the world’s top live professionals.

Gongs will be awarded to the top promoter, agent, venue, festival, ticketer, assistant, industry champion, production service, professional service and young executive.

The awards will honour 10 industry trailblazers in front of 500 of the world’s top live professionals

The finalists were chosen by a jury of 150 leading professionals, and the winners will be decided by a combination of a voting process and a jury of industry peers.

This year’s list is as internationally diverse as ever, with finalists ranging from Caio Jacob from 30e (Brazil) to Cameron Hoy from TEG (Australia) and Snorri Ástráðsson from Garcia Events (Iceland).

Companies on the finalists’ lists include Wasserman Music, Live Nation, AEG Presents, Ticketmaster, Oak View Group, Wizard Live, FKP Scorpio and more.

Last year’s winners include Marsha Vlasic, Tom Schroeder (Wasserman Music), Bhavika Patel (Ticketmaster), Steve Homer (AEG Presents) and Andrea Myers (Live Nation).

The awards and Gala Dinner, sponsored by ASM Global, begins with a champagne reception followed by a five-star, four-course feast prepared by award-winning chefs, and a selection of fine wines.

The events form part of the ILMC 37, which will host around 2,500 top live executives from across the world at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, from 25–28 February 2025.

See the full list of nominees for the Arthur Awards 2025, and cast your votes, here.

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The 2024 edition of the O2 Silver Clef Awards has so far raised £760,000 and counting for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

The 48th instalment of the event took place last Friday (5 July) at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, presented by Scottish radio DJ and television presenter Edith Bowman.

The likes of Blur, AC/DC, Chaka Khan, Mark Knopfler, Jessie Ware, Loyle Carner, Texas, The 1975, Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier, Cat Burns and Young Fathers were among the award winners.

Blur were honoured with the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, AC/DC won the Legend Award, Chaka Khan walked away with the Global Impact Award and Mark Knopfler received the Music Icon Award.

Jessie Ware won Best Female, Loyle Carner took home the Best Male Award, The 1975 were crowned Best Group and Texas received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

In addition, Jacob Collier picked up the Innovation in Music Award, Cat Burns received the Best New Music Award, Ezra Collective won the Contemporary Music Award and Young Fathers received Best Live Act.

Guest award presenters included Mica Paris, Clara Amfo, Jamie Cullum, Chris Evans, Annie Mac, Athian Akec and SJM Concerts’ Simon Moran.

Money raised from the O2 Silver Clef Awards will support Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists in reaching those living with autism, dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health challenges, grief and trauma; helping them to connect and communicate through music.

“Music really does heal”

Earlier this year, CAA’s Emma Banks was appointed chair of Nordoff and Robbins, with AEG Presents’ Lucy Noble supporting her as vice chair.

Banks told IQ: “It felt great on Friday to be in the room for the 02 Silver Clef Awards – we had changed the format a little and I think it landed well. Importantly we ended the day at about £760,000 and should be able to improve a bit by the time we close the books. I loved the passion that our award honourees brought to the event – such great, heartfelt speeches from people who totally understand our important mission and are so willing to help us.”

Gareth Griffiths, director, O2, adds: “We are incredibly proud of the money raised at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards. What a day celebrating the outstanding achievements of all the talented artists recognised this year. A special congratulations to blur for receiving the well-deserved O2 Silver Clef Award. Their contributions to the music industry have been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are honoured to be part of this momentous occasion. At O2, we are committed to supporting the music industry and look forward to continuing our partnership with Nordoff and Robbins to support more people through their incredible music therapy efforts across the nation.”

Alex James, Blur, says: “Making music with my brothers in blur has been one of the great gifts of my life. We are absolutely chuffed to receive the O2 Silver Clef Award and help raise awareness for Nordoff and Robbins, a brilliant organisation.”

Brian Johnson, AC/DC, adds: “We’re over the moon to receive the Amazon Music Legend Award. As a band, we’ve been dishing out our own brand of music therapy for the past five decades, so to hear all about how Nordoff and Robbins helps the young and the old with the power of music is something that we understand and salute. Thank you for this honour.”

Chaka Khan, comments: “Music has always been my solace, my strength, my voice, a gift. I’m grateful for this beautiful honour to be part of the Nordoff and Robbins creative community, where the power of music is used to transform, inspire, and bring love to the world. Music really does heal.”

Since 1976, the Silver Clef Awards have raised over £13.5 million for Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy services and honoured some of the world’s biggest artists.

Stormzy, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Coldplay are among previous award winners.

Next year’s edition of the O2 Silver Clef Awards will take place on a Wednesday (2 July 2025) for the first time.

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The 2024 LIVE Awards will take place on Wednesday 11 December at Troxy in East London, it has been confirmed.

The third annual event will welcome more than 600 guests from across the live music sector including promoters, venues, agents, festivals and artist managers.

Nominations, which can be submitted online will open on 8 July and close on 11 October. Shortlists for each category, which will be chosen by a panel of industry experts, will then be announced on 21 October.

Tables and individual seats for the awards are now available and include a drinks reception, dinner with wine and petit fours, three hours of complimentary drinks, and an afterparty.

UK-based ticketing company Skiddle has been announced as The LIVE Awards new headline sponsor, joining the event’s other primary sponsors Ticketmaster, PRS for Music, PPL and Equals Money.

“We are delighted to demonstrate our ongoing support for live music by becoming the headline sponsor and official ticketing partner of these important awards, which celebrate and recognise the individuals and companies doing amazing things across our sector,” says Duncan King, Skiddle’s head of festivals and partnerships.

“We will be recognising some of the biggest and most influential names in live music”

LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) is the voice of the UK’s live music and entertainment business, representing a federation of 16 live music industry associations.

“This year we will be taking The LIVE Awards to a new level with our production partners, who include LS Events, Universal Pixels, Lighthouse and James Wilson Events, building on the success of previous years,” adds Gaby Cartwright, head of partnerships for LIVE and The LIVE Awards. “We will be recognising some of the biggest and most influential names in live music and of course celebrating achievements from across the sector during the preceding 12 months.

“We are also really pleased to welcome Skiddle as our headline sponsors and ticketing partners this year. They are passionate advocates for live music and theirs and our other four primary partner’s support is much appreciated.”

As LIVE’s primary annual fundraising event, all proceeds from the awards will go towards directly supporting the trade body’s ongoing work engaging government on a range of sector issues, as well as supporting members to meet their sustainability goals while fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment.

A limited amount of sponsorship opportunities are still available for this year’s LIVE Awards. Interested parties should contact Gaby Cartwright on [email protected] for more information.

Tickets for the LIVE Awards 2024 can be purchased here.

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The 2024 MTV EMAs will take place in Manchester, UK, it has been confirmed.

The annual show will broadcast from Manchester’s brand-new, purpose-built live entertainment arena Co-op Live on MTV in over 150 countries on Sunday, 10 November.

Now in its 30th year, it will mark the first time the event has been staged in the city, and also marks its return to the UK after seven years.

“Co-op Live has been designed from the ground up to offer, at its core, a truly exceptional live music and fan experience, and we are delighted to be hosting an event which epitomises what our venue stands for,” says Gary Roden, Co-op Live executive director and GM. “We are honoured to become part of the MTV EMAs story, and to cement Manchester’s standing within the global live entertainment industry.”

First held in Berlin, Germany in 1994, the EMAs were last staged in the UK at London’s OVO Arena Wembley in 2017.

“Manchester is a dynamic and innovative city with the infrastructure to deliver a live music event of the scale of the MTV EMAs”

“The MTV EMAs is one of the biggest global music celebrations, bringing together local and international artists to create iconic performances for fans around the world,” says Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming & events, Paramount, and chief content officer, music, Paramount+. “With music at the very heart of Manchester’s rich creative heritage, this vibrant city – with the state-of-the-art Co-op Live – will guarantee a supercharged 2024 show.”

The show will additionally be available in multiple territories on Pluto TV and on-demand on Paramount+.

“Manchester is a dynamic and innovative city with the infrastructure to deliver a live music event of the scale of the MTV EMAs,” adds Lee Sears, president, international markets advertising sales. “We look forward to spotlighting this world-class destination – and the cutting-edge Co-op Live arena – on the global stage.”

The 2023 MTV EMAs were cancelled last October “out of an abundance of caution” amid the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

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