Prog Magazine’s fourth annual Progressive Music Awards celebrated a landmark year for prog.
Honouring progressive music in the intimate and idyllic settings of the world famous Underglobe, beneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, it was the year that Steven Wilson made an extraordinary commercial breakthrough, new kids Public Service Broadcasting challenged the boundaries of prog and the very first Official Progressive Album Chart brought the genre into the mainstream spotlight.
Hosted by the irrepressible broadcaster and prog superfan Matthew Wright, the evening celebrated and honoured the past, present and future of prog. From Electric Light Orchestra and Wizard legend Roy Wood who picked up the Outer Limits Award, to Public Service Broadcasting and Heights picking up Anthem and Limelight respectively, the awards once again brought together and celebrated the pioneers, innovators and present-day torchbearers of the prog scene. With 14 awards given out on the night, the Progressive Music Awards is a gathering of some of the most successful rock musicians of all time.
Founder member of Genesis Tony Banks, was the evening’s guest of honor and 2015’s Prog God sponsored by Orange Amplification. Presented to him by 2014 Prog God and former Genesis band mate Peter Gabriel, Tony’s career spans almost 50 years, has sold in excess of 130 million albums, is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and is one of the most respected songwriters and keyboardists in the world. His body of work, both with Genesis and beyond, is as innovative as it is eclectic and his solo work was recently celebrated in a four disc anthology called A Chord Too Far. Previous recipients of the Prog God award are Peter Gabriel, Rick Wakeman and Ian Anderson.
Steven Wilson was the evening’s big winner picking up three awards for the coveted Album of the Year sponsored by Cherry Red/Esoteric for Hand. Cannot. Erase which also won the Storm Thorgerson Design Award sponsored by K Scope and he also collected a special Commercial Breakthrough Award, recognising a year in which he sold out the Royal Albert Hall and achieved huge album sales.
With the untimely passing of Yes legend Chris Squire, Prog magazine renamed the Virtuoso Award the Chris Squire Virtuoso sponsored by Kef. This year, double bassist Danny Thompson had the honour of accepting the award that was presented to him by voice of the Simpsons and Spinal Tap’s Derek Smalls, Harry Shearer.
Prog magazine also announced a partnership with the Official Charts Company that will see them publish the Official Progressive Album Chart Top 30 in each of its issues. A contemporary chart, which sees Tame Impala’s Currents hit the top spot and confirms prog’s status as a vital part of the modern musical landscape.
Steven Wilson, the Noise11 interview
The evening winners:
Limelight sponsored by Aqua Riva – Heights
Live Event sponsored by Carlin Music Group – Marillion Weekends
Vanguard sponsored by InsideOut – Purson
Anthem sponsored by Roadrunner Records – Gagarin – Public Service Broadcasting’
The Storm Thorgerson Grand Design sponsored by K Scope – Hand.Cannot.Erase – Steven Wilson
Album Of The Year sponsored by Cherry Red / Esoteric Records – Hand.Cannot.Erase – Steven Wilson
Band Of The Year sponsored by TeamRock+ – Opeth
Commercial Breakthrough – Steven Wilson
Outer Limits – Roy Wood
Virtuoso sponsored by Kef – Danny Thompson
Guiding Light sponsored by Currencies.co.uk – Roger Dean
Visionary sponsored by Eagle Rock – Holger Czukay / Be Bop Deluxe
Lifetime Achievement sponsored by Prog Rocks – Gentle Giant
Prog God sponsored by Orange Amplification – Tony Banks
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