| New England Music Awards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | Outstanding achievements or contributions to the regional music industry. |
| Country | United States |
| First award | 2012 |
| Website | nemusicawards |
The New England Music Awards are an annual award show. Bands and artists from the New England region of the United States are eligible for receipt of the awards.
Recipients are selected through their recordings, appearances and reputation. [1] The awards were created by music promoter Joe Graham and Sugarpop Records label executive Dennis Hennessey in 2011, and the first ceremony occurred in 2012. [2] The nominating committee consists of music journalists, radio personalities, record label executives and talent scouts. [3] Event coordinator Mike Flynn says "when you take New England as a whole and look at all the amazing music and talent that's out there, it's mind blowing," adding "putting that talent together under one roof also helps some artists get recognition that they might not have had before." [2]
The inaugural 2012 New England Music Awards were held at Boston Hard Rock Cafe, on March 9, 2012. [2]
The 2013 New England Music Awards were held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The event was moved to accommodate all ages and an anticipated larger crowd. [2]
The 2014 New England Music Awards were held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, on February 22, 2014. The ceremony began at 7 p.m., and coincided with the Lowell Winterfest. [4] [5] It was hosted by comedian Steve Sweeney, with performances by Nemes, the Mallett Brothers, Hayley Sabella, Dressed for the Occasion and Sarah Borrello. [6] [4]
The 2015 New England Music Awards were held at Showcase Live, on April 18, 2015. [7] Boston Comedy Festival winner David Russo hosted the event, and the live performers were We Were Astronauts, Amy & the Engine, Pat & the Hats, the Willie J. Laws Band, Ben Knight and Sarah Barrios. [8]
The 2016 New England Music Awards were held at Blue Ocean Music Hall. The ceremony began at 7:30 p.m. [3]
The 2017 New England Music Awards were held at Showcase Live, on April 29, 2017. Bands that performed were Cold Engines, Sygnal to Path and the Balkun Brothers, and the event closed with a tribute to Prince by the band Love Sexy. [9]
The 2018 New England Music Awards were held at Mixx 360, on September 8, 2018.
The 2021 New England Music Awards were held at Mixx 360, on October 17, 2021, and were hosted by Adam Lopez and John Shea.
The 2022 New England Music Awards were held at Six String Grill & Stage, on November 13th 2022, and were hosted by Adam Lopez and John Shea.
The 2023 New England Music Awards were hosted at Six String Grill and Bar in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on November 12, 2023. The ceremony was hosted by Adam Lopez and Annie Brobst.
Winners were as follows:
Act of the Year Frank Viele
Album of the Year Air Traffic Controller
Song of the Year 12/OC "Shoot You Down"
Producer of the Year Mel Go Hard
Songwriter of the Year Lainey Dionne
Male Performer of the Year Nick Casey
Female Performer of the Year Annie Brobst
New Act of the Year ToriTori
Live Act of the Year The Q-Tip Bandits
Blues Act of the Year The Name Droppers
Rock Act of the Year Moxie
Punk Act of the Year Shame Penguin
Americana Act of the Year Adam Ezra Group
Country Act of the Year April Cushman
Pop Act of the Year The Side Chick Syndicate
Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year Sepsiss
Roots Act of the Year The Gravel Project
Hip Hop Act of the Year Chase Stebbins & The Only Known
Jazz Act of the Year Smug Honey
Soul/R&B Act of the Year Miranda Rae
Rising Star: Connecticut The Midnight Anthem
Rising Star: Massachusetts American Ink
Rising Star: Rhode Island Jackson Cafferty
Rising Star: New Hampshire Robotic Hawks
Rising Star: Vermont All Night Boogie Band
Rising Star: Maine Tyler Levs
Video of the Year Eddie Japan, "Time Machine" feat. Gregg Hawkes
World Act of the Year Nicolás Emden
2023 New England Music Awards: DECADE AWARD Jay Psaros
2024 Awards
The 2024 New England Music Awards were hosted at Six String Grill and Bar in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on November 10, 2024. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Adam Lopez and country artist Annie Brobst.
| Act of the Year | 12 O/C |
| Album of the Year | Jennifer Tefft and the Strange- “Strange Beginnings” |
| Song of the Year | Frank Viele – “The Trouble with Desire” |
| Producer of the Year | Sean McLaughlin 37′ Productions |
| Songwriter of the Year | Kai Wilson |
| Performer of the Year | Anna Daley Young |
| Performer of the Year | Sarah Blacker |
| New Act of the Year | The Far Out |
| Live Act of the Year | Kooked Out |
| Blues Act of the Year | GA-20 |
| Rock Act of the Year | Total Strangers |
| Punk Act of the Year | JVK |
| Americana Act of the Year | Kier Byrnes and The Kettle Burners |
| Country Act of the Year | Houston Bernard |
| Pop Act of the Year | Lainey Dionne |
| Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year | Dead by Wednesday |
| Roots Act of the Year | The Elovators |
| Hip Hop Act of the Year | Chase Stebbins & The Only Known |
| Jazz Act of the Year | Ben Cosgrove |
| Soul/R&B Act of the Year | Ruby Shabazz |
| Rising Star: Connecticut | One Time Weekend |
| Rising Star: Massachusetts | Burp. |
| Rising Star: Rhode Island | Jesse Humphrey |
| Rising Star: New Hampshire | Rumboat Chili |
| Rising Star: Vermont | Ida Mae Specker |
| Rising Star: Maine | Midnight Breakfast |
| Video of the Year | Dead by Wednesday- “Wasteland” |
| World Act of the Year | Alisa Amador |
2025 Awards
The 2025 New England Music Awards were hosted at Six String Grill and Bar in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on November 16, 2025. The ceremony was hosted by Adam Lopez and Annie Brobst.
Act of the Year Crooked Coast
Album of the Year Frank Viele - "The Trouble with Desire"
Song of the Year Nikki and the Barn Boys - "Strawberry Hill"
Songwriter of the Year Hayley Reardon
Performers of the Year Awards (2) Aldous Collins Ward Hayden and the Outliers
New Act of the Year Vanna Pacella
Live Act of the Year The Far Out
Blues Act of the Year The Gravel Project
Punk Rock Act of the Year Megan From Work
Rock Act of the Year John Fox
Country Act of the Year Ward Hayden & the Outliers
Pop Act of the Year Lainey Dionne
Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year Bad Marriage
Americana Act of the Year Nate Ramos Band
Roots Act of the Year Adam Frates
Hip Hop Act of the Year SeeFour
Jazz Act of the Year Soggy Po' Boys
Soul/R&B Act of the Year Ruby Shabazz
World Act of the Year: FM Collective
Rising Star: Connecticut The Moonrise Cartel
Rising Star: Massachusetts Dred Buffalo
Rising Star: Rhode Island Olivia Dolphin
Rising Star: New Hampshire Fun City Fan Club
Rising Star: Vermont Lily Seabird
Rising Star: Maine Bella Ann
Video of the Year The Far Out- "Laurel" Nick DeSimone (Director)
Producer of the Year Vic Steffens (Horizon Music Group)