Lucy Dickins honoured with MITS Award at star studded ceremony

08 November 2023 - Press release

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the music industry

Tributes from Adele, Little Simz, Mahalia and more

Star guests came together to celebrate Lucy Dickins: Rick Astley, Denise van Outen, Jack Peñate and Brenda Edwards

Performances from Loyle Carner and Hot Chip

Monday 6th November

www.mitsaward.co.uk  

Supporting the BRIT Trust and Nordoff & Robbins

One  of the world's most revered music agents, Lucy Dickins, has been awarded this year's Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS). This was presented to her by her brother and fellow industry leader Jonathan Dickins in a room full of her peers at a gala ceremony in The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel, held in aid of two vital music charities in the UK: The BRIT Trust and Nordoff & Robbins.

The MITS marked Lucy Dickins' incredible legacy and her immeasurable contribution to the music industry. During her 25+ year career, she has shaped the face of live music today, consistently seeking out the greatest musical talents of our time and playing a crucial part in bringing the best live music to hundreds of thousands of fans.

Accepting her award, Lucy Dickins told the cheering room, "I'd like to thank each and every one of you for this moment. May we continue to nurture, support and empower great talent and may we continue to live and love in music. I'm truly humbled to receive this award tonight and I hope that in some small way I've inspired the next generation of women in music, which translates into the live music business in the future. Thank you, all."

After inviting her two children on to the stage to help accept her award, Lucy added, "Life in this industry, as you know, is extremely busy. But being a working mother is another beast altogether. I have so much respect for you mothers who are fighting the fight because it is not easy. We're constantly feeling that we're sacrificing one part of our life for another... So whatever way you look at it, you have guilt... And it's really, really hard to balance it all and often people say "I don't know how you do it all". But you absolutely can't do it all.. All you can do is just do your best. That's what I tell everyone."

During the tributes, many artists and colleagues sent their congratulations to Lucy Dickins including Adele and Little Simz.

Adele recalled the time she and Lucy met, "I started going on about being a singer and I whipped a demo right out of my bag and I said "You're gonna be my agent". I didn't hear back from her for quite a while and my details were on the demo. But I told my manager, who I was newly managed by, I told him that I found my agent. And he was like "Great, what's their name?" and I was like "Lucy Dickins" and he said "That's my sister!". So, we met separately and they've both worked with me since I was 18 years old."

Little Simz said, "There's no one that's more deserving, that works as hard as you do and that really cares... and believes and backs their artists 100% and I'm so glad you're a part of my journey. I'm happy to be a part of yours!"

Before presenting her with the MITS Award, Lucy's brother and founder of September Management, Jonathan Dickins told the crowds, "I'm really proud because I think I've learnt one thing, and that is that I have a newfound respect for what it means to be a working mum. Anybody that holds a career, and especially the level that she does, and happens to be a present parent is... I'm in awe of that. And that, to me, goes well beyond any achievements in music.

He added, "She's a fierce negotiator, strategic, loyal, and most importantly, the greatest sister I could possibly ever have."

It was a celebratory night where Lucy's artists came together to recognise their agent. The evening closed with a lively performance from one of her first clients, synthpop group Hot Chip and earlier on, London rapper Loyle Carner took to the stage.

As a globally leading music agent, Dickins represents the world's biggest star, Adele, along with her impressive roster including Mumford & Sons, Stormzy, Little Simz, Mahalia, Cleo Sol, Little Simz, James Blake and Jamie T. She also represents Grammy nominees Hot Chip, Bryan Ferry, and Laura Marling, as well as rising talent Reneé Rapp, David Kushner, and Katie Gregson-MacLeod. 2022 was a landmark year for Dickins and Adele, who played two sell out BST Hyde Park shows, followed by an incredibly successful Vegas residency.

Lucy Dickins joined the ranks of previous MITS recipients including Annie Lennox OBE, Kylie Minogue, Emma Banks, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Rob Stringer, Sir Lucian Grainge, Ahmet Ertegun, Michael Eavis CBE, Pete Tong MBE and Roger Daltrey CBE. Last year's ceremony was held in honour of the late music pioneer Jamal Edwards MBE, the first posthumous award given in the history of the MITS.

Celebrating its 32nd year this year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business and continues to benefit hugely deserving causes year after year. The MITS Award supports two important charities, the BRIT Trust and Nordoff & Robbins, and is sponsored by PPL, SJM Concerts, Voly Music and YouTube.

 

www.mitsaward.co.uk    

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