Docks Academy has been shortlisted as ‘Grassroots Champion’ in the LIVE Awards 2024. The award celebrates the best UK venues with a capacity of 1,000 or less.
The venue will find out if it has won at the live music industry’s end-of-year celebration at Troxy in London in December.
The LIVE Awards showcases the outstanding companies, teams and individuals that make up our world-renowned industry and is the only event that brings together professionals from every part of the business. 2023 LIVE Award winners included huge industry names such as The O2, Ticketmaster and Live Nation.
Established in 2020, Docks Academy is a 300-capacity grassroots music venue located in one of King Edward Street’s last remaining heritage buildings in Grimsby. Housed in a former church, the venue merges historic charm with modern energy, offering a unique space for live performances. Artists such as Circa Waves, Sleeper, The Hoosiers, Tom Meighan, Melt Banana, Apollo Junction, Newton Faulkner, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Twin Atlantic have all performed at the venue.
Docks Academy Director, Will Douglas said “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. It is all down to the hard work of everyone at Docks Academy for helping to put Grimsby on the live music map. To be in the same room as so many established venues and music industry names is a fantastic achievement.”
Docks Academy also supports local grassroots talent while bringing diverse genres to the region, fostering a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Grimsby.
Docks Academy Venue Manager Katie-Lou Green said: “In our mission to nurture new talent, we launched Fresh Catch, a series of music nights dedicated to showcasing emerging artists on our stage. With six successful events to date, Fresh Catch provides a crucial platform for up-and-coming musicians, helping local artists like Ever and Revivalry achieve significant career milestones, including signing record deals.
“Having Grimsby on the map for music is vital, as it brings cultural vibrancy to the area and solidifies our town’s role in the national music scene. By offering these opportunities, Docks Academy plays a key role in putting Grimsby on the cultural map, ensuring that our local music scene is recognised and celebrated far beyond our borders.”
Recognising the importance of engaging young audiences in live music, Docks Academy has also introduced a subsidised scheme, which provides 14 to 25-year-olds with free access to music events, effectively removing financial barriers and making live music more accessible to younger audiences.
To further support the grassroots music scene, Docks Academy has launched the Rehearsal Space Project, a fully funded programme offering musicians free access to our venue for rehearsals, songwriting, creative work, and performance preparation.
Katie-Lou added: “Many of the bands benefiting from our support are invited to perform at our Fresh Catch events, a series dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. These music nights provide invaluable opportunities for musicians to gain confidence and experience performing in a professional, well-supported environment. The skills and knowledge they acquire through these performances lay a strong foundation as they embark on their journey into the music industry.”
The winners will be announced on 11 December.
Photo by Sam Sharp.