Music Awards of Staffordshire and Cheshire 28 January 2026
Celebrating the artists, bands and people shaping our local music scene.
A full day that brings the scene together — not just to celebrate what’s been achieved, but to open up what comes next. Before the awards, join us for a programme of free industry talks and sessions designed to support the next stage of your journey.
Support for Music Careers and Artist Development
- Practical advice from working industry professionals
- Free access to industry talks and panels
- Built for artists, bands and emerging talent
- Limited spaces — booking required
Celebrating the best of the local music scene
- Over 300 nominations for bands and artists
- Over 1200 public votes for Best New and Best Young Acts
- Ten Awards Winners to be revealed
- Live performance by a special guest
These talks and panels take a closer look at how the music industry operates behind the scenes, exploring the structures, decisions and systems that shape local music activity.
All Industry Development Sessions run from 2:00pm onwards, meaning you (may) only need to take one afternoon off to take part. You can book the whole afternoon or just the sessions that appeal to you most.
Every session is free to attend and open to all — artists, bands, managers, promoters and anyone involved in the local music ecosystem. Places are limited and advance booking is required.
If you want a clearer understanding of how the local music industry actually operates, this is time well spent.
Book your free Industry Development Sessions and make the most of Awards Day.
The Evening Ceremony
The evening brings the Music Awards of Staffordshire & Cheshire to the stage recognising the artists, bands and individuals shaping the region’s music scene, with winners revealed live on the night.
Guests will be welcomed into the theatre with a distinctive opening to the evening, setting the tone for what follows. A specially commissioned set of awards, designed and made by a local artist, will be presented throughout the ceremony, marking this year’s winners with something genuinely distinctive.
A special guest performance from Beans on Toast forms part of the evening programme — a respected touring artist joining the celebration as the awards unfold.
The ceremony will be documented by a dedicated film and photography team, with BBC Introducing also on site to capture interviews and moments from the night, helping extend the reach of the awards beyond the room.
This is an evening focused on recognition, achievement and visibility — giving proper weight to the work being done across the region’s music scene.