Liverpool’s premier music prize, the GIT Awards today released the twelve shortlisted acts for the 2013 award. The GIT Awards enjoyed a hugely successful inaugural year in 2012 and this year sees an impressively diverse shortlist, with the winner to be revealed on Friday 19 April at the city's Leaf venue.

The GIT Award 2013 shortlist is:

Baltic Fleet
Barberos
By The Sea
Clinic
Conan
Dan Croll
John Heckle
Jetta
Nadine Carina
Tyler Mensah
Stealing Sheep
Wave Machines

The shortlist, decided by a 12-strong judging panel comprising a host of respected music industry figures, including the Quietus’ own John Doran, as well as members of the city’s music and arts scene draws on the best of the city’s unique music scene.

Says Peter Guy, who chairs the judging panel and edits Getintothis, the Liverpool music blog behind the awards: “This year’s shortlist represents a city at the height of its musical power that few could hope to match. Finalising this year’s 12 artists was a colossal task as new Liverpool music is at a creative zenith, however, the judges feel the nominees provide a definitive picture of the diversity, profound musicianship and rich talent emanating out of Merseyside.’

The overall winner, elected through the ‘People’s Choice’ online poll, will receive a cash prize of £1000 while a special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry (won last year by the team behind city venue The Kazimier), will also be presented. Visit Bido Lito!, Getintothis, Juice FM or Seven Sisters to vote, and have your say on the finest music to come out of Liverpool in the last year.