Abbey Road Studios announce the shortlist for this year’s inaugural Music Photography Awards 06 May 2022
THE AWARDS WILL CELEBRATE THE UNFORGETTABLE, UNIQUE AND UNSUNG MUSIC IMAGES OF 2021
AWARDS CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON 14TH MAY AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS
Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most famous recording studio has today announced the shortlist nominations for the inaugural Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2022 in association with Hennessy - the first ever awards to celebrate the art of music photography.
In the awards’ open categories, the nominees for Championing Scenes supported by Hennessy, include Northern Irish photographer Megan Doherty, best known for debut book ‘Stoned In Melanchol’ which documents her adolescence in Derry, as well as Above Ground, who has shot the likes of Nile Rodgers and Starrah in the past. In the Live category, supported by Philips, nominees include Gary Matherwith a shot of Bristol based, post-punk musician Billy No Mates and John Lyons with an image of David Mrakpor playing with Ruben Fox. US based photographers Aysia Marotta and Jack McKain are nominated in Studio Photography, supported by Bowers & Wilkins, for their images of Pharrell and Pink Siifu respectively, while Spanish based Neelam Khan Vela makes the shortlist with a shot of all female indie outfit Hinds. Nominees in the Zeitgeist category include Chris Suspect for a live shot of heavy metal band Darkest Hour and Jason Sheldon for his work on a socially distanced Rise Up show, while New Zealand based Oscar Hetherington and Joe Puxley are nominated for their images of The Beatniks and Arlo Parks, respectively in Undiscovered, supported by adidas.
In the invited categories, the nominees for Artist At Work include the Nigerian, black music specialist, Greg Noire for a live shot of KennyHoopla, while David LaChapelle is nominated for his work with Dua Lipa x Rolling Stone and Craig McDean for his Billie Eilish x British Vogue cover in the Editorial category. Ukrainian Yana Yatsuk is nominated for a King Princess image in the Portrait category, while London based grime specialist Vicky Grout’s Attitude x Sherelle cover is also selected.
Please find the full list of shortlisted images for the inaugural MPAs below.
MPAs shortlist nominations:
Championing Scenes (category supported by Hennessy) -
Megan Doherty
Above Ground
Rob Jones
Chris Suspect
Cicely Ellison
Live (category supported by Philips) -
John Lyons
Anthony Harrison
Gary Mather
Jérôme Brunet
Studio (category supported by Bowers & Wilkins) -
Jack McKain
Natalie Michele
Indy Brewer
Neelam Khan Vela
Aysia Marotta
Zeitgeist -
Chris Suspect
Riccardo Piccirillo
DeShaun Craddock
Alec Castillo
Jason Sheldon
Undiscovered (category supported by adidas) -
Joe Puxley
Jada & David Parrish
Oscar Hetherington
Hana Kovacs
Thomas Weidenhuapt
Artist At Work -
Greg Noire
Jack McKain
Jennifer McCord
CJ Harvey
Dean Chalkley
Above Ground
Editorial -
Yana Yatsuk
Craig McDean
David LaChapelle
Fernando Aceves
Paul Sepuya
Samuel Trotter
Portrait -
Yana Yatsuk
Aidan Zamiri
Vicky Grout
Lucas Garrido
Nicholas O’Donnell
Josiah Rundles
Speaking about the shortlisted entries Abbey Road’s MD Isabel Garvey says:
‘2021 was a challenging year for musicians and for photographers across the world. With this year’s MPAs, we were very keen to make sure that despite the difficulties, we were still able to find a quality selection of work and I think this year’s shortlist is proof that we have. We’re all thrilled with the quality of images that were entered and the eventual shortlist’.
MPAs lead judge Rankin adds:
‘I’m very proud of where we have got to and what we have achieved with the first year of the MPAs and I’m truly excited about where this can go next. I think the quality of the shortlisted entries speaks for itself’.
Earlier this month, the MPAs announced the recipient of this year’s Icon Award as Eric Johnson. Best known for his work documenting the US music culture of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, his photos of Biggie Smalls, Nas, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill and the late Aaliyah defined an era of US music photography. His more recent work with the likes of Doja Cat and MPAs judge Shygirl places him at the heart of contemporary pop music culture in 2022.
The inaugural Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2022 judging panel is made up of world-famous photographer, publisher and film director Rankin, legendary photographer Jill Furmanovsky, groundbreaking Ghanaian-American singer, writer and multidisciplinary creative Moses Sumney and history-making American photographer and director Dana Scruggs. Rolling Stone’s Deputy Photo Director and photographer Sacha Lecca and Abbey Road Studios’ very own MD, Isabel Garvey are also on the panel, while revered music photographer and Abbey Road Studio photographer-in-residence Simon Wheatley joins the judges for the ‘Championing Scenes’ category.
For more information on this year’s MPAs, please visit.
NEWS & PRESS
Atlantic Screen Group Names Rupert Hollier as COO, Elevates Rosie Hill to President of Nightjar, it’s creative services and frontline publishing division
Company also unveils exclusive creative publishing partnership with 5DB Studios Leading independent multi-disciplined music and media organisation Atlantic Screen Group (ASG) today announces a significant expansion of its music publishing and sync operations, supported by a series of strategic appointments and new...more
Notting Hill Music Signs Scottish Songwriter Declan Welsh
Notting Hill Music is proud to announce the signing of acclaimed Scottish songwriter Declan Welsh (Declan Welsh and The Decadent West). Emerging from East Kilbride, Scotland, Welsh has established himself as one of the nation’s most compelling contemporary voices, earning...more
Universal Music Group UK launches art and video studio ‘Pause’
PAUSE PRODUCES PREMIUM, LIMITED-EDITION PRINTS THAT ALLOW FANS TO OWN UNIQUE MOMENTS OF VISUAL MUSIC HISTORY ANNOUNCEMENT OF PAUSE STUDIO ACCOMPANIED BY LAUNCH OF AMY WINEHOUSEYOU KNOW I’M NO GOOD COLLECTION Fans can own a single frame from Amy Winehouse’s iconic music video,...more
2025 Budget statement from AIF CEO John Rostron
"The UK's independent festival sector is one built by entrepreneurs and so we welcome The Chancellor's announcement of a consultation on how the tax system can better back business founders and investors. We look forward to seeing how this government...more
Autumn Budget: Comment from Association of Independent Music
Gee Davy, CEO at AIM, said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s clear commitment to improving conditions for workers, especially young people. But SMEs – the talent engines of the UK - including those in the hugely diverse independent music sector, risk...more
Budget Hammerblow: Chancellor Dismisses Night-Time Economy Asks Says NTIA
Statement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association"This Budget is a hammer blow to an already fragile night-time economy. Its impact will be felt across every high street and town centre in the UK. With inflation now higher than...more
Oasis Live ‘25 end of tour stores to open in London & Dublin
London store will feature a visual content room showcasing highlights from the Oasis Live ‘25 global tour Product personalisation offered in-store on select days New and exclusive merchandise, a restocked adidas Originals range, gifting, vinyl and much more ...more
UK Budget - A Statement from Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust
"This Budget is yet another episode in the long running saga of failures to seize opportunities to support Grassroots Music Venues. The Government's rhetoric on their support for this vital sector is completely undone by the reality of their business...more
Record Store Day Black Friday: Exclusive releases land in independent shops
Record Store Day’s annual Black Friday celebration returns this Friday, bringing a brand-new selection of exclusive, limited-edition vinyl titles to independent record stores across the UK. Available from 8am on Friday 28th November, this year’s collection features standout releases from Sam...more
LALAL.AI Launches Andromeda, a New Benchmark in Stem Separation & Vocal Isolation
AI-powered stem splitter’s Andromeda model interprets audio tracks with near-human precision LALAL.AI has officially launched Andromeda, its most advanced audio separation model to date. The new neural network builds upon six generations of LALAL.AI's audio source separation technology. The result is...more
Impala launches new storytelling campaign, Faces of the Independent Sector, to celebrate its 25th anniversary
To celebrate 25 years championing the independent sector in Europe, IMPALA launches a new project to put the spotlight on individuals working across the industry. The Faces of the Independent Sector campaign will offer monthly insights into the inner workings...more
Realize Music: Sing Launches on Meta Quest With Broad Catalog From Universal, Warner, Sony and Beggars, Delivered by Tuned Global’s Music Technology
Groundbreaking singing game for wellness and creativity expands beyond VR with a PC Gaming release planned for 2026, with the support of Tuned Global’s backend music platform enabling scalable catalogue delivery and lyric integration. Realize Music, in collaboration with leading music...more
UK nightlife isn’t dead, it’s thriving underground - One in three Gen Z say the best DJ sets happen at house parties
New research highlights the enduring role of house parties, with over a quarter of Gen Z and Millennials playing their first DJ set at one One in three Gen Z say they have been inspired to learn to DJ after experiencing a house...more
Alex Black named Vice President, A&R, Peermusic
Peermusic, the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighbouring rights company with 39 offices in 32 countries, has appointed Alex Black to Vice President, A&R as announced today by Jamie Cerreta, President U.S. and Canada, Peermusic. In this role, Alex Black will work...more
PPL appoints Anne-Marie Pearce as Chief Financial Officer
PPL has appointed Anne-Marie Pearce as its new Chief Financial Officer. She succeeds Chris Barton, who announced earlier this year he would be leaving the collective management organisation at the end of 2025. As CFO, Anne-Marie will join the Executive Leadership...more
Reservoir announces joint venture with Jamaican star Skatta Burrell & Abood Music
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR, the “Company”), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new joint venture with multi-hyphenate Jamaican star Cordell “Skatta” Burrell and reggae and dancehall publisher Abood Music. Together, they will look to both acquire catalogs...more
Help Musicians Partner with Tiffany Calver to Launch UK Rap Award Career Accelerator
Help Musicians launches new Career Accelerator for rap artists. Charity joins forces with Tiffany Calver to highlight the contributions of UK rap. Addressing barriers facing Black and underrepresented artists in the music industry. Help Musicians today announces the launch of the UK Rap Award, a...more
Warner Music Group and Suno forge groundbreaking partnership
Companies will collaborate on next-generation licensed AI music that empowers the creative community and opens new revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG), one of the world's largest music companies, and Suno, the leader in AI music,...more
UK’s leading Choir for Refugees and Allies releases debut album Echo of Your Voice
Echo of Your Voice - a 10-track album bursting with hope and joy - is available for pre-save from Wednesday 26th November, 2025 Celebrating the rich diversity and wonderful community of this never more relevant choir, the Citizens of the World...more
The Snuts launch new label Happy Artist Records for the band's next record and partner with Virgin Music Group for global distribution
HAPPY ARTIST RECORDS - LED BY THE SNUTS’ FRONTMAN, JACK COCHRANE - WILL SUPPORT AND CHAMPION EMERGING SCOTTISH AND REGIONAL UK TALENT The Snuts have announced the launch of Happy Artist Records, a new label created to release the band’s next record...more
Impala welcomes the EC’s findings so far that UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown has risks for Europe’s digital market – issues reminder that concerns go beyond data
In response to today’s press release from the European Commission, IMPALA has issued the following statement: “IMPALA welcomes the European Commission’s statement today confirming to UMG that the proposed acquisition of Downtown raises concerns about restricting competition in the wholesale distribution of recorded music market, in...more
European Commission sends Statement of Objections over proposed acquisition of Downtown by UMG
The European Commission has informed Universal Music Group ('UMG') of its preliminary view that its proposed acquisition of Downtown may restrict competition in the market for the wholesale distribution of recorded music. UMG is globally active in music recording, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Downtown is a...more
Propaganda Independent Venues Acquires TEG's UK Venue Estate
The Bristol-based independent reacquires Tramshed in Cardiff together with XOYO London, XOYO Birmingham, Camden Assembly, and The Globe in Cardiff... Propaganda's Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, along with Richard Buck, have together launched Propaganda Independent Venues and announced the acquisition of TEG's UK venue...more
Warner Music India Inks Exclusive Global Distribution Deal with Ultra Music India
Warner Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Ultra Music, one of India's most prominent music labels, establishing an exclusive worldwide distribution alliance. As a part of the deal, Warner Music India will take over the distribution of Ultra Music's...more
As autumn budget looms - 73% say government failing UK nightlife says new NTIA & Obsurvant consumer survey
Feedback from people taking part in the NTIA & Obsurvant survey have highlighted that they feel that Government Neglect, Streets Unsafe, Transport not sufficient, Culture at Risk. New research from Obsurvant, in partnership with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), paints...more
Game My Fan launches world's first "Album as a Game" in partnership with Primary Wave Music
Revolutionary Music Distribution Platform Taps $80 Billion Gaming Market for Artists' Direct-to-Fan Engagement Rock Legends Bad Company Become First Artist to Launch Album as a Game Game My Fan, a direct to fan music distribution platform founded by the team behind...more
The F-List for Music announces DJ Paulette to be 6th President
The F-List for Music is delighted to announce that internationally renowned DJ Paulette will serve as its 6th President. Paulette takes on the honorary role from Miranda Cooper, following in the footsteps of Hannah Peel, Professor Shirley J Thompson, Brix...more
Britain’s Late-Night Economy Could Lose 10,000 More Businesses and 150,000 Jobs by 2028 - Chancellor Must Act in Autumn Budget
Industry Leaders Warn That Without Intervention, Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs, Businesses and UK Cultural Identity Are at Risk Britain’s late-night economy is under severe strain. Rising costs, shifting consumer behaviour, and the potential for higher taxation in the upcoming Autumn...more
Landmark report boosts support for Manchester's music venues and spurs launch of new grassroots venues network
Manchester Music City (MMC) with the support of Manchester City Council have published a landmark report to strengthen the city's grassroots music venues, a vital part of Manchester's cultural and economic life. The findings from the report have also led to the launch...more
Warner Music Group and Udio collaborate to build a new licensed music creation service
Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) and Udio today announced a landmark agreement that resolves the companies' copyright infringement litigation and establishes a clear framework for the development of Udio's licensed AI music creation service, set to launch in 2026.Through this collaboration,...more
THE HEADLINES
AI slop: Spotify, Tunecore, and credibility (see Comment)
Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit (see News)
EC sends UMG its statement of objections to Downtown acquisition (see News)
20 years of Spotify — who’s winning, losing and making money? (see Features)
The future of labels: Shifting sands (see Comment)
Robert Kyncl on Udio deal: Growing the value of music for artists and songwriters (see News)
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true (see Comment)
Universal's bid for Downtown is set to be hit by a formal warning from European Union watchdogs (see Business)
Reselling tickets for profit to be outlawed in UK government crackdown (see News)
Some answers to Haven's 'I Run' chart-excluded track (see News)
"Without competition, the free market becomes a monopoly" (see Opinion)
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)