The cream of the UK’s live business turned out for the LIVE Awards 2024 at Troxy in East London last night (11 December).

The event, which took place in association with Skiddle, was attended by more than 500 guests including promoters, venues, agents, festivals, artist managers and more, the event saw awards collected by individuals and companies from across the live music community.

Fifteen awards, covering all sectors of live music, were handed out in total, culminating in the presentation of The LIVEtime Achievement Award to MOBO Group founder and CEO Kanya King.

In her speech, King announced for the first time that she is being treated for bowel cancer.

“Learning I have stage 4 bowel cancer was something I never saw coming and I am still processing this unexpected reality,” she said. “While this journey will undoubtedly be challenging, I’ve always believed in finding meaning through adversity. This diagnosis isn’t the end of my story—it’s a chance to inspire resilience, raise awareness, use this moment to not only fight my own battle but to amplify the message of early detection and the importance of proactively taking charge of your health. If my story can save just one life, then it’s a story worth telling.”

“The LIVE Awards was, once again, a fitting end to another landmark year for UK live music”

Other winners, chosen by a panel of industry experts, included Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (Venue of the Year), WME (Booking Agency >21), Mother Artists (Booking Agency <21): AEG Presents UK (National Promoter of the Year), Victorious Festival (Major Festival of the Year) and title sponsor Skiddle (Ticketing Service 2024).

Hosted for the second year running by Thanyia Moore, the LIVE Awards 2024 were supported by Skiddle alongside primary sponsors Tysers Live, PPL, PRS for Music, Ticketmaster, d&b audiotechnik and Equals Money, as well as Club Soda and all of the individual category sponsors.

“The LIVE Awards was, once again, a fitting end to another landmark year for UK live music,” says LIVE CEO Jon Collins. “A year when we delighted millions and demonstrated to Government why we fully deserve our seat at the top table of policy development. But also a year when too many venues closed, festivals called time and tours were cancelled or curtailed.

“Everyone in attendance at the Troxy believes in the power of music and goes above and beyond to deliver incredible experiences. All deserved this night to come together, recognise and reward those that have had the greatest year and prepare for 2025, with all the challenges and opportunities it will bring.”

The full list of The LIVE Awards 2024 winners is as follows:

The LIVE Green Award: onboard:earth
The LIVE Workforce Award: Attitude is Everything
Venue of the Year: OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Grassroots Champion: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Booking Agency (>21): WME
Booking Agency (<21): Mother Artists
National Promoter of the Year: AEG Presents UK
Regional Promoter of the Year: Shine
Ticketing Service 2024: Skiddle
Major Festival of the Year: Victorious Festival
Festival of the Year: Slam Dunk Festival
Production Supplier 2024: Eat to the Beat
Brand Partnership 2024: FREENOW x Music Venue Trust
Road Warrior of the Year: Carl Lewis
LIVEtime Achievement Award: Kanya King, CBE

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As The LIVE Awards 2024 draws closer, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award has been revealed.

Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, will receive the top honour of the evening for her role in driving forward and improving the UK’s live music business.

Since 1996, the UK’s MOBO Awards has celebrated music of black origin such as Hip Hop, Grime, RnB/Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, and African music.

MOBO is said to have played an “instrumental role” in the careers of numerous UK artists such as Stormzy, Craig David, Rita Ora, Ms Dynamite, Krept and Konan, Chip and Kano.

Beyond the awards, MOBO supports undiscovered talent in music via MOBO UnSung, and across the wider creative industries via the MOBO Season and MOBOvation Talks. Meanwhile, its newly established charity, MOBO Trust, aims to support young people in the creative industries via a MOBO Fund and an all-new MOBO Academy.

“At MOBO, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of live events”

“It’s an honour to be named the 2024 recipient of the LIVEtime Achievement Award, and I am incredibly thankful to LIVE for this recognition,” says Kanya King CBE, founder & CEO of The MOBO Group.

“At MOBO, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of live events—not just as a showcase for music but as a vehicle for change. Whether it’s supporting the NHS in saving lives or using the MOBO Fringe Festival to lower school exclusion rates, we strive to ensure our events leave a lasting legacy. This award is a tribute to everyone who shares that vision, and I look forward to celebrating with the live music community on December 11th.”

Gaby Cartwright, head of partnerships at LIVE & The LIVE Awards, adds: “Kanya is a worthy recipient of our most prestigious award. She is a true trailblazer and her work promoting and staging so many music, film and entertainment events, including the groundbreaking and hugely influential MOBO Awards over almost three decades, is testament to her talent, tenacity and vision. We can’t wait to celebrate her career!”

The third annual instalment of The LIVE Awards will take place on Wednesday 11 December at Troxy in east London.

The Awards span 14 categories paying tribute to venues, promoters, agents, ticketing companies, grassroots venues, festivals, production suppliers, brand partnerships and more.

View the full list of 2024 finalists here. Tickets to the event, which is in association with Skiddle, are also on sale now on the website.

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UK trade body LIVE has revealed the full list of finalists for its 2024 awards show, taking place on Wednesday 11 December at Troxy in east London.

The third instalment of The LIVE Awards spans 14 categories paying tribute to venues, promoters, agents, ticketing companies, grassroots venues, festivals, production suppliers, brand partnerships and more.

The 80+ finalists range from OVO Hydro to the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Isle of Wight Festival to Bearded Theory and Live Nation to Communion One.

“The LIVE Awards are an important fixture in the industry calendar and directly fund LIVE’s work across government,” says Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE.

“The LIVE Awards are an important fixture in the industry calendar and directly fund LIVE’s work across government”

“It is also a great night that gives us all a chance to get together and celebrate our peers while acknowledging the cultural and commercial impact we have made during the previous 12 months.

“This year’s finalists are fully deserving of their places on the 2024 shortlists and we look forward to revealing who the winners are at the ceremony in December.”

The winner in each category is decided by a panel of industry professionals. The awards will be presented in front of an invited industry audience on 11 December at Troxy in East London, with 600 guests expected to attend.

Tickets to the event, which is in association with Skiddle, are also on sale now on the website.

View the full list of 2024 finalists here.

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