English Teacher win Youth Music’s 2025 Grassroots Hero Award.

We are very proud to announce that Leeds band English Teacher have been named winners of the Grassroots Hero Award 2025, sponsored by Levi’s!

The award recognises artists and projects who go above and beyond to champion grassroots music communities.

The band will be presented with their award at the Youth Music Awards 2025, in association with Hal Leonard Europe, taking place at Troxy, London on Wednesday 15 October.

Recognising grassroots advocacy

English Teacher’s journey with Youth Music began back in 2019, when they took part in mentoring through the Youth Music-funded project Music:Leeds. In 2022, they picked up the Rising Star Award (Artist) at the Youth Music Awards, before going on to win the Mercury Prize in 2024.

Now, we're delighted to crown them as our Grassroots Heroes for their advocacy and support of overlooked, underfunded and underrepresented projects in the grassroots scene – taking the baton from last year’s winner, Jordan Stephens.

Youth Music were there for me at a time when I was struggling to find a way to keep pushing towards a career in music. Through financing vital regional support networks like Come Play With Me and Music: Leeds, and through personally hiring me to explore my interest in music journalism, to giving us the Rising Star (Artist) Award in 2022, I’m really grateful to them for being such an important part of my personal and the band’s evolution.

Lily Fontaine

English teacher receiving their award at the Youth Music Awards 2022.

Awards nominees announced

Alongside the Grassroots Hero announcement, 43 nominees across 11 categories have also been revealed. These range from inspirational music leaders and grassroots projects to rising stars and original tracks. The winners will be announced live at the ceremony.

See the full list of nominees here!

Award in honour of Maxi Jazz

This year will also see the Music Producer Award named in honour of Maxi Jazz, with bandmate Sister Bliss presenting the award on the night. Bliss commented:

I wanted to partner with Youth Music because the work they do, giving young people in challenging circumstances the opportunity to take part in music-making projects is simply invaluable. Music changed our lives, and we were part of a generation lucky enough to have some music provision in schools.

That has now all but disappeared, remaining only for the privileged few. I wanted the award in Maxi’s name to inspire the next generation and remind us of his legacy. He was an extraordinary ordinary South London boy, and he would absolutely support the belief that access to music education and mentorship is essential for our communities, and for nourishing our connection to each other and to joy itself.

Sister Bliss