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.
Nomination process
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]
History
2012 awards
Grace Potter in 2012
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]
Band of the Year – The Mallett Brothers Band
Album of the Year – Land by the Mallett Brothers Band
Song of the Year – "The Dreams in the Ditch" by
Deer Tick
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]
Band of the Year – The Shana Stack Band
Album of the Year – National Throat by
Will Dailey
The 2016 New England Music Awards were held at Blue Ocean Music Hall. The ceremony began at 7:30 p.m.[3]
Band of the Year – Dwight & Nicole
Album of the Year – Fall Your Way by Frank Viele
Song of the Year – "Let Your Hair Down" by Adam Ezra Group
Producer of the Year – Vic Steffens
Songwriter of the Year – Daphne Lee Martin
New Act of the Year – Hunter
Female Performer of the Year – Ruby Rose Fox
Male Performer of the Year – Frank Viele
2017 awards
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 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.
Act of the Year - The Elovaters
Album of the Year - Dalton & The Sheriffs “We’re Still Here”
Americana Act of the Year - Town Meeting
Blues Act of the Year - Gracie Grace and All The Good Boys
Country Act of the Year - April Cushman
Female Performer of the Year - Annie Brobst
Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year - Exit 18
Hip Hop Act of the Year - Oompa
Jazz Act of the Year - Club d’Elf
Live Act of the Year - The Elovaters
Male Performer of the Year - Nick Bosse
New Act of the Year - The Chelsea Curve
Pop Act of the Year - Lainey Dionne
Producer of the Year - David Minehan Woolly Mammoth Sound
Punk Act of the Year - Zombii
Rising Star: Connecticut - The Sparkle and Fade
Rising Star: Maine - 12/OC
Rising Star: Massachusetts -Kaiti Jones
Rising Star: New Hampshire - Fee the Evolutionist
Rising Star: Rhode Island - Avi Jacob
Rising Star: Vermont - Isabel Pless
Rock Act of the Year - Cold Engines
Roots Act of the Year - Whiskey Treaty Roadshow
Song of the Year - OhYah. “Gone Before the Goodbye”
Songwriter of the Year - Frank Viele
Soul/R&B Act of the Year - Jill McCracken
Video of the Year - Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys – “Goth Beach”
World Act of the Year - Toussaint the Liberator
2023 awards
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