The 12-name shortlist for the sixth edition of the annual GIT Award, Liverpool’s major music prize, has been announced.
The lineup boasts upcoming rapper Aystar, Merseyside mainstays The Coral, acclaimed emerging production duo God Colony, innovative multi-instrumentalists Immix Ensemble, kraut-leaning garage thrashers Ohmns and underground dance sensation Or:La.
Also nominated are Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners She Drew The Gun, 1Xtra-acclaimed grime producer Suedebrown, neo-soul polymath XamVolo and fast-rising psych outfit The Vryll Society.
Two previous award winners also make the bill, last year’s ‘One To Watch’ winner Louis Berry and 2013 winner Baltic Fleet.
The winner will be announced at a special ceremony at the city’s Constellations venue on 13 May, as decided by a panel of judges. They include tQ’s own John Doran, Heavenly Records founder Jeff Barrett, Louder Than War editor John Robb and 4AD’s general manager Rich Walker
A number of the nominees will play live, while there will also be a number of special performances to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Getintothis, the Liverpool music website behind the ceremony.
Peter Guy, GIT Award founder, said: "In what was the toughest decision process yet, the GIT Award 2017 shortlist reflects a new cycle in Merseyside music – one which covers artists from all spheres of music; be it grime, techno, psychedelia, orchestral instrumentation through to pop, folk and rock & roll – each at the top of their game.
"While certain names on the shortlist will be familiar to some listeners, there’s a whole raft of new artists to discover, and that’s what The GIT Award has always aimed to do from its very beginnings – bring the very best of Merseyside music to new audiences.
"This year’s 12 challenge, innovate and make quite superb music, I can’t wait for Saturday May 13 at Constellations when it all comes together."
tQ’s John Doran, added: "It’s always a pleasure and a privilege for The Quietus to be involved in The GIT Award judging process. Liverpool’s always buzzing and I always come away from being a judge with a clutch of new bands I’m really into. I’m looking forward to the main event in May."
The winner of this year’s ‘One To Watch’ prize will be announced before the ceremony, while a special ‘Inspiration Award’ will also be presented, previously awarded to the likes of the Hillsborough Justice Collective, the late founder of Deltasonic records, Alan Wills, and last year to Liverpool Vision’s Kevin McManus.
