Music Cities awards celebrate the world’s most inspiring music cities projects using music to create stronger, safer and more connected cities.
Presented annually since 2020 by Sound Diplomacy during the Music Cities Convention, these awards celebrate the individuals, organisations and cities redefining how music shapes communities. This year’s winners represent a diverse range of initiatives across multiple continents, demonstrating how music can support community wellbeing, education, tourism, sustainability, nightlife, technology and policy innovation.
Gig Buddies is the proud winner of the 2026 Local Impact Award.
The Local Music Impact Award recognises those driving Hull’s music ecosystem forward: strengthening networks, championing local talent, improving infrastructure, and advocating for a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable music environment across the city and its wider region.
Gig Buddies is a befriending project that matches pairs together with and without a learning disability and hosts inclusive gigs and events. It involves training and supporting volunteers, and matching them with a gig buddy to go to gigs together. Gig Buddy pairs are about real friendship based on mutual interests that go beyond a night out.
Gig Buddies Hull and East Yorkshire’s Manager Emily Clixby said: “we are honoured to receive this award; the ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the impact music has around the world, we were grateful to be nominated alongside such incredible projects. Everyone has the right to feel safe at live music events and we hope that this award raises awareness, encourages further conversations about inclusive audiences and raises the profile of disabled musicians. This award is dedicated to all gig buddies and volunteers, without your commitment and support this project would not be possible.”
The award was presented at Hull Minster, the ceremony opened with a performance from a 100-person combined choir and brass players from the City of Hull Band. Presented by Andy Train, the ceremony honoured nine awards.
Community Connector and gig buddy Ash said: “winning this award has meant so much to me, seeing and been a part of something so special. The moment which we were announced the winner is a moment we all truly deserve, not just one of us but all of us, the whole team – I don’t think we’ll ever stop celebrating this award.”
With a high demand of buddies, Gig Buddies are looking for new volunteers. Volunteers are paired with a buddy and go out together to local gigs. Volunteers receive training and DBS checks and support from a local coordinator.
Gig buddy volunteer Dave said: “from a volunteer perspective, it’s been an endless succession of positive experiences and it’s an absolute pleasure to be involved and see the project go from strength to strength. I’ve learned so much along the way, made some great friends and we’ve shared a lot of laughs. I think it’s easy to take attending live music events and attendance at other cultural events for granted without really thinking too much about the experience of others. Being a part of Gig Buddies has totally changed my perspective on the choices that exist, what access means and how we’ve all got a part in ensuring that everyone can head out and experience the things that we all love and enjoy.”
Find out more and sign up via the Gig Buddies website: www.gigbuddieshull.co.uk
2026 Music Cities Awards Winners
Music Community Impact: Sina Loketa / Salam Music Programme (Uganda)
A refugee-led initiative in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement using music, dance, and creative entrepreneurship to build peace, strengthen communities, and empower young refugees through the Salam Music Program.
Music Talent Development & Education: Agency for Good / Agência do Bem (Brazil)
Brazil’s leading social music education organisation, supporting thousands of children through community music programmes, orchestras, and professional development opportunities for young artists.
Local Music Impact – Presented by Hull City Council: GigBuddies, hosted by Hull Red CIO (UK)
A community-led initiative matching people with and without learning disabilities to attend gigs together, creating safer, more inclusive access to live music and lasting social connections.
Music Tourism Queensland Music Festival Outback Trail 2025 (Australia)
A large-scale regional music and cultural tourism initiative connecting audiences with live performances, storytelling, First Nations culture, and remote communities across Queensland.
Music & Climate Action: A Greener Future (UK)
A pioneering not-for-profit helping the live music and events sector reduce environmental impact through sustainability standards, carbon analysis, consultancy, and Net Zero strategies.
Music-Led Placemaking: Concerts SA (South Africa)
A live music development project strengthening music ecosystems across Southern Africa through artist mobility, venue support, education programmes, and regional collaboration.
Nightlife & Safe Space in Music: Barcelona City Council (Spain)
Through its Night Commissioner’s Office, Barcelona is creating a safer, more inclusive and sustainable night-time economy by protecting venues, supporting cultural communities, and encouraging collaboration across the city.
Music Cities Tech Solution: MIT Climate Machine (USA)
Developed the first major sector-wide assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from live music in the UK and US, providing research and recommendations to support coordinated climate action across the industry.
Music City Policy: A Ticket To The Future / Bristol Nights & Bristol City Council (UK)
A community-led funding model proposing a 1% ticket contribution to reinvest in Bristol’s music ecosystem, supporting venues, artists, events, and music infrastructure across the city.