The final details have been announced of the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards (A&MAs), with Lewis Capaldi named Artist Of The Year and Debbie Gwyther to receive Manager Of The Year.
Organised by the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), this year's A&MAs take place at London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday, November 14. Selina are headline sponsors, while BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens will host and present.
Capaldi has enjoyed an incredible breakthrough year and topped the US Hot 100 earlier this week with Someone You Loved.
Sandie Shaw, FAC board director and honorary president, said: “Congratulations to Lewis Capaldi. The Artist of the Year Award had some really strong competition this year, but the FAC felt Lewis’ achievements have been just so extraordinary that he became our unanimous choice.
"To build such an incredibly strong and immediate bond with your audience, and particularly at this global scale, has been something to behold. That he’s made it look so effortless, and trust me, it won’t have been, makes his success all the more compelling.”
Alongside UROK’s Sam and Roy Eldridge, who will be presenting the Manager Of The Year award, Gwyther, meanwhile, has masterminded the return of Liam Gallagher to centre stage, guiding the former Oasis frontman to two No.1 albums – 2017's As You Were and 2019's Why Me? Why Not – and huge live success.
Annabella Coldrick, CEO, MMF, said: “Selecting a 'Manager Of The Year' is always a massive challenge, but Debbie’s impact over the past 12 months has been undeniable. We all know that Liam Gallagher is one of the UK’s greatest, most enduring and recognisable rock stars, but behind the scenes is a story of incredible team work and collaboration - all with the goal of putting Liam back where he belongs. MMF are delighted to recognise Debbie’s success and thrilled that Sam and Roy have agreed to present the Award. Why her? Why not!”
The MMF and FAC have also unveiled the shortlists for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year and Breakthrough Manager Of The Year, the winners of which will be announced on the night.
Breakthrough Artist Of The Year (sponsored by Spotify):
Aitch
Dave
Fontaines DC
Freya Ridings
Mahalia
Sam Fender
Young T & Bugsey
Breakthrough Manager Of The Year (sponsored by BMI):
Amy Frenchum (Ezra Collective/Yazmin Lacey)
Andy Musgrave - Supernature (AJ Tracey/Murlo/MISOGI/Conducta)
Louise Latimer & Milo Ross - Golden Arm (Goat Girl/The Big Moon/Self Esteem)
Mark Bent - Mother Artist Management (Idles/Heavy Lungs/Avaera)
Michael Adex - Northern Quarterz (Aitch)
Nike Durosaro - (Shakka)
Shane ‘Mizermilli’ Derozario - MizerMillion Entertainment (MoStack/Rxwntree/JT)
Sophie Bloggs - YMU (Kurupt FM/Danny Howard/Krystal Klear/Hannah Wants)
Other confirmed winners at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards are Nile Rodgers (Artists’ Artist Award, sponsored by PPL), Rebecca Boulton and Andy Robinson (Managers’ Manager Award), Neneh Cherry (Pioneer Award, sponsored by Facebook), Sam Fender and Owain Davies (FanFair Alliance Outstanding Contribution To Live Music), Andy Varley (Entrepreneur Award) and Sandy Dworniak (Writer/Producer Manager, sponsored by Songtrust).
