The UK’s leading music managers were honored at the prestigious Artist & Manager Awards 2024, hosted by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and the Music Managers Forum (MMF).
The event celebrated significant achievements within the music industry, with the evening culminating in a special recognition for the Pet Shop Boys and their long-time manager, Angela Becker.
They were awarded the Artist & Manager Partnership Award, acknowledging the incredible success of their 16-year collaboration. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the band’s iconic debut single, West End Girls.
Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Becker, praising her pivotal role in the band’s success.
He highlighted her ability to provide invaluable advice, organization, and honesty, particularly during times when the band was pursuing their more unconventional ideas.
He credited her with helping to turn these ideas into reality and contributing significantly to their lasting success. Becker, in turn, shared her philosophy on management, stressing the importance of understanding a client’s aspirations and fears in order to make a lasting impact.
She reflected on the challenge of finding new ways to communicate the band’s vision, quoting Hans Christian Andersen: “Where words fail, music speaks.”
The ceremony, held at London’s Bloomsbury Big Top and hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Remi Burgz, also honored other industry leaders.
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Artist & Manager Team of the Year award to the electronic duo Chase & Status and their manager, Sophie Kennard, co-founder of Frame Artists.
The duo and their team were recognized for their ongoing success and Kennard’s instrumental role in their career.
Other notable awards included the Icon Award, which was given to Paloma Faith and presented by her manager, Innis Ferguson.
Riverman Management founders Alex Weston and Dave McLean were honored with the Managers’ Manager award, recognizing their 35 years in the industry.
Barry Can’t Swim received the Breakthrough Artist Award, while the Breakthrough Manager Award went to Victoria de Juniac for her work with Irish artist Cian Ducrot.
The evening also introduced the Secret Weapon Award, given to Hope James from Atlas Artists for her behind-the-scenes contributions to Rachel Chinouriri’s success.
Additionally, the Originator Award was presented to Sam Kelly and Ray Simpson of the band Cymande, while the Pioneer Award was posthumously awarded to Sophie, accepted by her family.
Yungblud and his team received the Fan Champion Award, and Ant Hippsley from Milk & Honey was named Writer/Producer Manager of the Year. The Team Achievement Award went to Finesse Foreva, acknowledging their collective efforts in the music industry.
This year’s awards celebrated not only the achievements of individual artists and managers but also highlighted the power of collaboration and long-term dedication within the music industry.
