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The art of music photography was honored on Thursday night at the third annual 2024 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards in London.
The winners and finalists from this year’s MPAs were celebrated during the event at the legendary Studios One and Two and included performances from Maverick Sabre’s YOURS collective, JNR Williams and Aziya,
This year’s competition saw entries increase by over 50 percent from last year — with 22,000 images from 28 different countries submitted across the six open-entry categories: Undiscovered Photographer of the Year, Music Moment of the Year, Live Music Award, Underground Scenes Award, Making Music Award, and Jazz: The Rebirth of Cool. A panel of judges determined the nominees in three additional invited categories: Portrait, Editorial, and ICON.
Hosted by Edith Bowman, Tom Pallant took home the Music Moment of the Year Award, which was decided by a public vote, for capturing Blur at the band’s second Wembley Stadium show in July 2023. “Knowing Graham would launch his guitar 20 feet in the air, I was ready to capture the exact moment… It’s the only time I’ve ever shouted ‘YES!’ out loud after getting a shot,” said Pallant.
London-based photographer Andreia Lemos won the trophy for the Undiscovered Photographer of the Year Award with her image of Australian rock band Amyl and the Sniffers. TheLive Music categorywent to Francis Mancinifor his photo of Darren Styles andLempheknabbed theUnderground Scenes Awardfor his image of BBQ frontman Hui Zu and Bad Tailor guitarist Chen Hongmin.
Adrien H. Tillmannearned theJazz: The Rebirth of CoolAward for photographing American saxophonist Billy Harper, whileLauren Harriswon theMaking Music Awardwith her image of Joesef. “Small, intimate, quiet moments like this are why I shoot – giving an insight into life off-stage,” said Harris.
The invited categories included winners Alexa Viscius, who won theEditorialAward for an image of bnny andBolade Banjo received thePortraitAward for his photo of Jamaican artist Popcaan.
PhotographerJill Furmanovskywas honored with this year’s ICON Award in recognition of a storied 53-year career. The award was presented on stage by Rankin, and Sally Davies (Abbey Road’s MD), while Nile Rodgers, Debbie Harry, David Gilmour, Siouxsie Sioux, and Sting were featured in video tributes to Furmanovsky alongside Noel Gallagher onstage.
Gallagher said of Furmanovsky, “Best photographer ever!”
The nominated entries for the 2024 MPAs will be showcased at London’s Royal Albert Hall from Oct. 8 to Nov. 12.
