Award formally recognises the lasting impact of the seminal 80s band and the venue where they began their careers, The Bell in London's King's Cross (presently Big Chill)

UK star Tom Rasmussen to deliver commemorative performance and unveil a plaque during exclusive event at the venue, in honour of Bronski Beat's Jimmy Somerville

Bronski Beat have been awarded the PRS for Music Heritage Award, presented by British artist and writer Tom Rasmussen today at Big Chill (formerly The Bell), commemorating the band's contribution to British alternative music at the site of the band's first-ever live performance.

The King's Cross pub was a landmark of countercultural London in the early 1980s and played a key role in the rise of Bronski Beat, who gave their debut performance there in 1983.

This marked a turning point for the outspoken and openly gay band of Steve Bronski, Jimmy Somerville, and Larry Steinbachek, who signed a recording contract with London Records the subsequent year after just nine live gigs. That year saw them release hit single Smalltown Boy and Age of Consent, their highly influential debut album which sought to push back against the legal, social and cultural stigmatisation of LGBTQIA+ identities at the time.

This award ceremony, the 20^th in the long-running series, included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by artist, writer and performer Tom Rasmussen, in honour of Bronski Beat frontman Jimmy Somerville. Rasmussen performed a short set for invited media and industry guests, including covers of the band's early tracks.

Tom's appearance follows a standout role in the Southbank Centre's 40th anniversary celebrations of The Age of Consent last year. Today's event coincided with the release of a new remix edition of the album on London Records, closing a year of tributes that reaffirm the record's enduring cultural and political impact. PRS for Music's proprietary data shows that the album's breakout single, Smalltown Boy, received over 2.1 million seconds (or three and a half continuous weeks) of UK radio airtime in 2024 alone.

PRS for Music, which represents the rights of more than 180,000 songwriters and composers, started the Heritage Awards in 2009 to celebrate bands which had a lasting impact on the fabric of the UK's music scene, and the venues which gave them their start. Spaces like The Bell are vital to the creative ecosystem, providing an environment for new acts to test their material, find their sound and engage with audiences.

Previous recipients of the award include the likes of Madness, Queen, Pulp, Blur, Soul II Soul, Sir Elton John CBE, Snow Patrol and UB40.

Jimmy Somerville, singer-songwriter and frontman of Bronski Beat said: "What a wonderful honour. Humbling too. I remember the performance well... twice in fact! I need to give a mention to Bernie and Martin, the DJ-in' duo who started a night called Movements at The Carved Red Lion on Essex Road, then to The Pied Bull at Chapel Market and finally The Bell. It wasn't just a night out. It was social, political and creative history being made. It was a movement. Young LGBTQIA+ people wanting something different and it met that need. It was different and exciting and we, Bronski Beat were part of that. So this honour is for all who were on that journey with us. Thank you."

Tom Rasmussen, pop star, writer, and performer, said: "Bronski Beat literally created the space for gay and queer musicians to both be out, and to sing and make music about the way we live. It's easy to take that for granted today. Personally, as someone with a falsetto which betrays my gender and sexuality (in the best way) Jimmy also made it okay for people who look like boys to sing, swoon, scream and cry. It's a proper privilege to be in that lineage with Jimmy."

Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, said: "Independent venues like Big Chill are a vital part of the creative economy and play a role in sustaining the pipeline of future songwriters and performers across the country. Bronski Beat's debut performance here in the 80s, and their subsequent success and social impact, is a clear example of how local venues can help shape national and international culture. Supporting venues like this is essential to ensuring the long-term health of the UK music industry and the success of the creators it depends on."

The latest PRS for Music Heritage Award, marks the latest step in the organisation's continued support for live music in pubs. In March, PRS for Music and the British Beer and Pub Association launched Pubs Go Live – a ten-day nationwide initiative celebrating live music in pubs, which saw gigs on offer in pubs up and down the country.