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Youth Music Awards 2023: Judges and Sponsors

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Group of headshots of some of the judges from the Youth Music Awards 2023

Amelia Dimoldenberg Leads All-Star List of Judges Announced Today

We're excited to announce the sponsors and judges for our annual Youth Music Awards in association with Hal Leonard Europe, taking place at iconic London venue Troxy on Wednesday 18th October.

Following another year where music festivals and award ceremonies faced criticism for  lacking representation, the Youth Music Awards will be appealing to the music industry to ‘Take Note’ by showcasing the next generation of musical talent in the UK while championing inclusivity in music. 

The awards will be judged by artists, music journalists and representatives from the music industry, including:

  • Fleur East - singer-songwriter and Hits Radio UK presenter
  • Joy Crookes – singer and BRIT nominated Rising Star
  • Hot Chip – London based synth-pop band and Glastonbury regulars
  • Kojey Radical - music artist, creative director and mixed media visual artist
  • BICEP – DJ duo and Youth Music Ambassadors
  • Amelia Dimoldenberg – Chicken Shop Date star and youth services advocate
  • Tinea Taylor – KISS FM presenter

Each of the 12 awards will be sponsored by some of the UK’s most prolific music, fashion and culture brands, including Amazon Music, Levi’s, Marshall Amplification, Ticketmaster and TikTok. New sponsors joining the awards this year include the RSL Awards and LCCM (London College of Contemporary Music).

Celebrating a more diverse, inclusive and creative music industry

Youth Music has championed equalising access to making, learning, and earning in music for 24 years, and believes that every young person should have the chance to change their life through music. The awards recognise this by representing and celebrating a more diverse, more inclusive and more creative music industry.

Youth Music CEO Matt Griffiths says: “We’re really proud of the breadth of industry names judging this year’s Youth Music Awards, and the exciting mix of sponsors. Including our longstanding headline partner, Hal Leonard Europe, who have demonstrated years of commitment to ensuring every young person can make, learn and earn in music. We can’t wait to find out who the judges have chosen as their shortlist of nominees, representing a more diverse future music industries.” 

Amelia Dimoldenberg, presenter, founder of Chicken Shop Date and Youth Music Awards judge, says: “It’s been amazing to see so many talented entries in this year's Youth Music Awards! I have been so impressed with how well rounded the entries have been. Not only have these young artists been putting everything into harnessing their sound (which is paramount), I can also see this passion coming across in the visuals, their social media presence and live performances - all of these things are so important when making it in the industry. I also think it shows such great initiative from this group of young artists to want to be part of an awards such as the Youth Music Awards, which provide instrumental support and that next step in the right direction. I’m really excited to see where this set of future artists go!”

Fleur East, singer-songwriter, Hits Radio UK presenter and Youth Music Awards judge, says: Such amazing talent in each of these categories, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering new talent and adding new artists to my playlist. It’s great to be part of a unique event which is clearly building a more diverse music industry of the future.”

Managing Editor, UK, Hal Leonard Europe, Louise Unsworth, says: “It was an honour and a thrill to discover the diverse range of musical styles, cultures and personalities represented in this year’s nominees, whose submissions were all of such a high standard. As proud supporters of Youth Music’s work and our shared passion that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from lifelong music-making, it gives us at Hal Leonard Europe great reassurance for the future talent pipeline. I very much look forward to seeing the showcase of creative talent live at the awards – we’re in for a special night.”  

Read on to find out more about our incredible line-up of music industry figures judging the music categories.