Music Awards Return to Celebrate Staffordshire and
Cheshire Talent
The Music Awards of Staffordshire and Cheshire will return on 28 January 2026 with a special ceremony at the New Vic Theatre, celebrating the achievements of local artists and bands across the region.
Artists and bands are encouraged to nominate themselves for up to 10 awards, by heading to MusicAwards.live
Nominations will close on 24 November, when the public voting for two of the awards opens.
Delivered by Honey Box and The Buzz Stoke, with support from PH Production Services and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, the awards mark the third time the event has taken place, recognising the talent and energy of the area’s music scene.
(Images by Honey Box)
Lee Barber, of The Buzz Stoke and co-producer of Honey Box, said: “When I first started floating the idea of an awards ceremony for Staffordshire and Cheshire music, it all came down to showing others the immense talent we had at the time, finding some great excuse to put all of those talented musicians in one room and celebrating each other.
“The impact that had was even more overwhelming than I could have ever anticipated, and in many ways it exceeded my hopes for the event.
“I really feel the time is right to finally bring back the Music Awards of Staffordshire & Cheshire, there is so much to shout about right now.’
Two award categories will be decided by public vote, giving audiences the chance to back their favourites.
The rest will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals.
The Music Awards of Staffordshire and Cheshire will be an invite-only event for nominated artists and bands, with a welcoming atmosphere designed to bring people together in recognition of their work.
The New Vic Theatre will also host a series of talks and sessions on the day which will be led by leading industry figures, giving musicians the chance to hear from experts, build networks and gain practical insights into the business of music.
The first music awards, staged in 2016, provided the spark for what would become Honey Box Live – a grassroots broadcast project that has just launched series 9, showcased more than 130 artists and produced over 500 live performance videos.
This year’s awards not only continue that journey but aim to shine a wider spotlight on Staffordshire and Cheshire as a place where music is thriving.
Pete Herbert, co-producer of Honey Box, said: “We’re excited to bring the awards to the New Vic Theatre. As one of the country’s most successful producing theatres, it seems right that we celebrate all of the excellent music that’s produced in the area there too. It’s set to be a great night.”
