LCoM alumni Laura Oakes, Bruno Major and Bang Bang Romeo have all been shortlisted for the Unsigned Music Awards 2018.
Jazz graduate Bruno Major is nominated for two of the prestigious awards – Best Record and Best Male Act, whilst Pop alumna Laura Oakes has been shortlisted in the category of Best Country / Folk Act. FE graduate Richard Gartland’s band Bang Bang Romeo are up for consideration in both the Best Live Act and UMA Choice Award categories.
The UMAs aim to recognise and celebrate the best in new music, as voted for by a panel of over 100 industry tastemakers, including label A&Rs, publishers, live agents and major online editors. The 2018 winners will be announced in late-Spring.
Laura Oakes
2018 Nominee - Best Country / Folk Act
"The nomination was a total surprise. What makes it so special is knowing the immense calibre of the other nominated artists. A lot of the artists are people I really admire and respect so to be nominated alongside that kind of amazing talent is probably the biggest accolade."
Bruno Major
2018 Nominee - Best Male Act / Best Record
Bang Bang Romeo
2018 Nominee - UMA Choice Award / Best Live Act
"It means the world to be nominated for this award, it's made us take a second to sit back and think about everything we've achieved, particularly in the past year.
"The guitar music scene is thriving at the moment, and to see so many guitar bands nominated across various awards is massive. It takes hard work in a harder industry but we're really enjoying what we're doing at the moment and to see it recognised is amazing.
"UMA do incredible things in supporting new acts of all genres, it's so so important and wicked to be a part of."
Our alumni community also saw success at the 2017 UMAs with Popular Music graduates Malaika Shaw taking home the Best Blues / Jazz Act, and Ella Rothwell receiving Best Album.
Malaika
2017 Recipient - Best Blues / Jazz Act
Ella Rothwell
2017 Recipient - Best Album
"It was amazing to be part of the UMAs last year. It really opened my eyes to opportunity and introduced me to other like-minded artists!"
