The international live music industry’s best-loved awards – The Arthurs – were handed out during the biggest Gala Dinner in the event’s history.

More than 450 professionals attended the ceremony at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London last night (27 February).

In keeping with the conference theme, the event went under the title The Sub-Aquatic Gala Dinner and Arthur Awards, with CAA’s Emma Banks returning as host, assisted by A Greener Future’s Claire O’Neill.

Eleven awards were handed out in total, including the famous Bottle Award, which recognises an individual who has contributed greatly to the live music industry.

This year’s Bottle Award recipient was Phil Rodriguez, CEO of Latin America’s Move Concerts, which has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico and Miami. The legendary promoter, who has chalked up almost 50 years in the live business, was instrumental in the development of touring in the continent and has worked with artists such as Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, U2, Shawn Mendes, Bruno Mars, Shakira, Katy Perry and Iron Maiden.

“Congratulations to this year’s Arthur winners, who show the strength and depth of the live business across the world”

The top promoter award went to Kim Bloem of Mojo Concerts in the Netherlands, while the ‘second least offensive agent’ category was won by Chris Payne of WME. The top festival award (Ligger’s Favourite Festival) went to Rock in Rio, Brazil and Sphere, Las Vegas, claimed the Venue Award, while the Assistant Award went to Louise Thomas of SJM Concerts.

“Congratulations to this year’s Arthur winners, who show the strength and depth of the live business across the world,” says ILMC MD Greg Parmley. “2025’s ILMC Gala Dinner was the biggest edition in our long history and I also want to thank everyone involved in its production.

“It was a particular pleasure to see Phil Rodriguez receive the prestigious Bottle Award. The response of the hundreds of industry peers in the room shows the warmth and deep respect felt towards a man who has led the way in developing the international touring market across South America.”

For more than two and a half decades, The Arthur Awards (the live music industry’s Oscar equivalents) have taken place during ILMC. The shortlist of nominees in each category are decided by a committee of 150 industry professionals. Winners are then decided by a combination of an open vote of all ILMC members and IQ Magazine readers, and a closed panel of judges made up of senior industry figures.

The full list of winners can be found below.

THE INDUSTRY CHAMPION AWARD (THE UNSUNG HERO)

Pascal Viot, YES Group & Paléo Festival

THE ASSISTANT AWARD (THE PEOPLE’S ASSISTANT)

Louise Thomas, SJM Concerts

THE PRODUCTION SERVICES AWARD (SERVICES ABOVE & BEYOND)

Beat the Street

THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD (SERVICES ABOVE & BEYOND)

Freyja Handy, ASM Global

THE TICKETING PROFESSIONAL AWARD (THE GOLDEN TICKET)

Andrew Parsons, Ticketmaster

THE VENUE AWARD (FIRST VENUE TO COME INTO YOUR HEAD)

Sphere, Las Vegas

THE YOUNG EXECUTIVE AWARD (TOMORROW’S NEW BOSS)

Chloe Cura, AEG Presents

THE FESTIVAL AWARD (LIGGERS’ FAVOURITE FESTIVAL)

Rock in Rio, Brazil

THE PROMOTER AWARD (THE PROMOTERS’ PROMOTER)

Kim Bloem, Mojo Concerts

THE AGENT AWARD (SECOND LEAST OFFENSIVE AGENT)

Chris Payne, WME

THE BOTTLE AWARD

Phil Rodriguez, Move Concerts

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The list of nominees for the Arthur Awards 2025, the live music industry’s favourite and most established awards, has been revealed.

The awards and Gala Dinner will return to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 27 February 2025, as part of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC).

Compered by CAA’s London co-head Emma Banks, the awards will honour 10 industry trailblazers in front of 500 of the world’s top live professionals.

Gongs will be awarded to the top promoter, agent, venue, festival, ticketer, assistant, industry champion, production service, professional service and young executive.

The awards will honour 10 industry trailblazers in front of 500 of the world’s top live professionals

The finalists were chosen by a jury of 150 leading professionals, and the winners will be decided by a combination of a voting process and a jury of industry peers.

This year’s list is as internationally diverse as ever, with finalists ranging from Caio Jacob from 30e (Brazil) to Cameron Hoy from TEG (Australia) and Snorri Ástráðsson from Garcia Events (Iceland).

Companies on the finalists’ lists include Wasserman Music, Live Nation, AEG Presents, Ticketmaster, Oak View Group, Wizard Live, FKP Scorpio and more.

Last year’s winners include Marsha Vlasic, Tom Schroeder (Wasserman Music), Bhavika Patel (Ticketmaster), Steve Homer (AEG Presents) and Andrea Myers (Live Nation).

The awards and Gala Dinner, sponsored by ASM Global, begins with a champagne reception followed by a five-star, four-course feast prepared by award-winning chefs, and a selection of fine wines.

The events form part of the ILMC 37, which will host around 2,500 top live executives from across the world at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, from 25–28 February 2025.

See the full list of nominees for the Arthur Awards 2025, and cast your votes, here.

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Illusionist Paul Zenon has been added to this year’s line up at the ILMC Gala Hou-dinner & 25th Arthur Awards. The live music industry’s Oscar equivalents take place on Thursday 7 March, at a new venue to mark the award’s quarter century – the Sheraton Grand Park Lane.

The world-famous illusionist and Inner Magic Circle gold-star member has performed across the globe, appeared on hundreds of TV shows, and penned three best-selling books. “Paul will be wowing guests on the night, revealing why he continues win both awards and acclaim,” say organisers.

Over 350 leading figures from the international business are set to attend the Gala Dinner, and Zenon’s performance comes in addition to the annual Pop Quiz, and a series of special anniversary surprises on the night.

“Paul will be wowing guests on the night, revealing why he continues win both awards and acclaim.”

The highlight of the evening, The Arthur Awards, sees winners announced in categories including agent, promoter, venue, festival, ticketing, assistant, new boss, professional and services.

To mark the anniversary of the awards, two new categories have been added: the new event award (New Gig on the Block) and the return of the family entertainment gong (Best in Show). London’s All Points East and Lollapalooza, Paris are among the new events vying for glory, while the live rendition of Blue Planet II and Disney on ice feature in the show category.

Last year’s Arthur winners included Live Nation’s Anna Sjölund (top promoter) and Anna-Sophie Mertens (new boss), Coda Agency’s Natasha Bent (agent), AEG Presents’ Eliza-Jane Oliver (assistant), The O2 (venue) and Glastonbury (festival). Meanwhile, ILMC founder Martin Hopewell received the prestigious Bottle Award.

A full list of this year’s nominees can be found here, with voting open until Friday 16 February.

With professionals from across the business welcome to attend, full information about the evening, including how to purchase tickets is here.

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