MPG Awards 2026: Shortlist announced

Ceremony to take place on 16 April 2026

The MPG (Music Producers Guild) have revealed the full shortlist for this year's MPG Awards, which will be taking place at The Troxy in London, UK, on 16 April 2026. Now in their 18th year, the awards celebrate the very best of British production talent working behind the scenes in the UK music industry, alongside some key international collaborators.

The Producer of the Year shortlist features Zach Nahome, James Ford, Catherine Marks, Miles Clinton James and Steph Marziano - five producers whose work this year has spanned acclaimed alternative releases, global pop campaigns and forward-thinking independent records. The Breakthrough Producer of the Year nominees are Jonathan Gilmore, Oli Barton-Wood and Richie Kennedy, while the Breakthrough Engineer of the Year shortlist comprises Evie Clark-Yospa, Rookes and Freddy Williams.

Studio categories once again serve to highlight the importance of recording spaces across the UK, with Strongroom, Decoy and Rockfield nominated for Large Commercial Studio, and Baltic Studios, Snap! Studios and ARC Abbey Recording Studios shortlisted in the Small Commercial Studio category.

The Self-Producing Artist of the Year nominees include Disclosure (Guy Lawrence and Howard Lawrence) who continue to redefine the UK dance scene; Barry Cant Swim (Joshua Spence Mainnie), who has emerged as one of the most exciting names in contemporary electronic music; and Maribou State (Chris Davids and Liam Ivory) who are recognised for their textured, immersive productions.

In Album of the Year, three distinctive and ambitious releases are shortlisted: Olivia Dean The Art of Loving', Biffy Clyro Futique' and Sam Fender People Watching'.

The MPG have also announced Jon Thornton, Head of Sound Technology at LIPA, as the winner of their gifted, Special Recognition Award. Jon Thornton commented: I was absolutely gobsmacked when I was told about the award. It's incredibly flattering, although I'll admit I felt a touch of imposter syndrome. But really, this isn't about me - it's about the team. It's about the institution, the students, the graduates and the staff. That's where the success truly lies, and that's what we're celebrating.

The Full Shortlist Producer Of The Year - Sponsored by Flare Audio

Zach Nahome

James Ford

Catherine Marks

Miles Clinton James

Steph Marziano

Breakthrough Producer Of The Year

Jonathan Gilmore

Oli Barton-Wood

Richie Kennedy

Breakthrough Engineer Of The Year

Evie Clark-Yospa.

Rookes

Freddy Williams

Mastering Engineer Of The Year - Sponsored by dCS Audio

Natalie Bibby

Matt Colton

Katie Tavini

Mix Engineer Of The Year

Matt Wiggins

Charlie Holmes

Oli Jacobs

Atmos Mixer Of The Year - Sponsored by Dolby Atmos

Andrew Scheps

Mike Hillier

Kurt Martinez

Large Commercial Studio - Sponsored by Neumann

Strongroom

Decoy

Rockfield.

Small Commercial Studio - Sponsored by Neumann

Baltic Studios

Snap! Studios

ARC Abbey Recording Studios.

Recording Engineer Of The Year - Sponsored by Neve

Ricky Damian

Ramera Abraham

Gianluca Massimo

Self-Producing Artist Of The Year - Sponsored by PRS for Music

Disclosure: Guy Lawrence; Howard Lawrence.

Barry Can't Swim: Joshua Spence Mainnie.

Maribou State: Chris Davids, Liam Ivory

Unsung Hero - Sponsored by Musicians' Union

Barry Grint

Mick Ross (Generator)

Aubrey Whitfield

Writer-Producer Of The Year- Sponsored by SESAC

Steph Marziano

MNEK

Max Wolfgang

Album Of The Year

Olivia Dean: The Art of Loving'

Producer: Zach Nahome

Engineer: Zach Nahome

Mixer: Charlie Holmes

Mastering: Simon Francis

Biffy Clyro: Futique

Producer: Biffy Clyro, Jonathan Gilmore

Engineer: Freddy Williams

Mixer: Jonathan Gilmore

Sam Fender: People Watching'

Producer: Sam Fender, Markus Dravs, Dean Thompson, Joe Atkinson

Engineer: Iain Berryman, Oli Jacobs

Mixer: Craig Silvey, Dani Bennett Spragg

Original Score Recording Of The Year

Young Fathers: 28 Years Later (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'

Producer: Young Fathers, Rosie Danvers, Tommy Danvers

Engineer: Jake Jackson

Mixer: James Trevascus

Stephen Gallagher: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'

Producer: Mark Willsher, Stephen Gallagher

Engineer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley

Mixer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley

Brandon Roberts: Andor: Season 2 Vol. 1-4 (Episodes 1-12) [Original Score]'

Producer: Brandon Roberts

Engineer: Geoff Foster

Mixer: Geoff Foster

Tickets The MPG Awards 2026 will be held on 16 April at The Troxy, London, E1 0HX. Tickets are on sale now.

mpg.org.uk/welcome-to-mpg-awards

LINK:	https://www.soundonsound.com/news/mpg-awards-2026-shortlist-announced...
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