Dan Parkinson took Musician of the Year and Best Original Song at the first Andover Music Awards. The full list of 15 winners, and the date for 2027.
Andover musician Dan Parkinson won two of the 15 prizes at the first Andover Music Awards, held at The Lights on Tuesday 13 October. He was named Musician of the Year and also took Best Original Song for his song Lucy.
The awards were organised by Andover Radio and Love Andover, which received 460 nominations from the public. The Troggs guitarist Chris Britton was given the evening’s Contribution to Music Award. The Troggs formed in Andover in the 1960s and are best known for Wild Thing, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. (Andover Radio and Love Andover, results announcement)
The full list of winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Musician of the Year | Dan Parkinson |
| Best Original Song | Dan Parkinson, Lucy |
| Best Male Artist | Paul Jude Wilson |
| Best Female Artist | Georgie Amelia |
| Best Band | The Torn Off Strips |
| Best Live Act | Stonepig |
| Best Original Act | Echotape |
| Best Newcomer | Eastwood Revival |
| Young Musician | Harry Pearce |
| Young Band/Group | Arksee |
| Best DJ | Chris McKeegan |
| Community Music Group | Andover Ladies Choir |
| Best Music Event | Andover Rocks |
| Best Music Venue | The Foresters Arms |
| Contribution to Music | Chris Britton |
The list is taken from the organisers’ own results table. (Andover Radio and Love Andover)
The night itself
Andover Radio’s drivetime presenter and station manager, Rob Francis, hosted the ceremony. Three acts played during the evening:
- Arksee, who also won Young Band/Group
- Common Ground
- Uncle Tom’s Cobbleys
The awards were run by Ben Tuffin, SJ Grace and Alun Grace for the two stations. Alun Grace said the response had gone beyond what the team had expected. “To receive 460 nominations for our first awards was beyond what we could have imagined,” he said. (Andover Radio and Love Andover)
Perfect Bore Manufacturing was the headline sponsor, and Stannah backed the live performances and the Best Live Act award. Andover Town Council sponsored the Best Music Event category, which Andover Rocks won. (Andover Radio and Love Andover, Town Council sponsorship)
Jez Rolfe’s photographs of the evening, including the winners with their trophies, are in the organisers’ picture gallery.
What it means for you
- The awards are coming back. The second Andover Music Awards are booked for Tuesday 12 October 2027, again at The Lights. (Andover Music Awards)
- Nominations are public. This year nominations opened on 27 April and anyone could put forward an act, a venue or an event. Watch the awards site next spring if there is someone you want recognised. (Love Andover, awards page)
- Most of the winners play locally. The Foresters Arms won Best Music Venue and Andover Rocks won Best Music Event, so both are places to hear the winning acts. Our things to do in Andover page lists what is on at The Lights and elsewhere in town.
Sources
- Andover Radio and Love Andover, “History Made as First Andover Music Awards Celebrate Town’s Incredible Musical Talent”, the organisers’ results announcement, for every winner, the 460 nominations, the host, the performers, the sponsors, the organisers’ quotes and the 2027 date.
- Andover Radio and Love Andover, picture gallery of the 2026 awards, for Jez Rolfe’s photographs, including the one above.
- Andover Radio and Love Andover, “Andover Town Council Backs First Ever Andover Music Awards”, for the Town Council’s sponsorship of the music event category.
- Love Andover, Andover Music Awards page, for the 27 April nominations opening and the venue.
- Andover Music Awards, for the 12 October 2027 date at The Lights.
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