Downtown will return to sponsor the Independent Record Company category at the Music Week Awards this year.
The hugely popular ceremony will return on May 7, 2026 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London and it is now completely sold out.
The Music Week Awards recognises the whole industry across labels, publishing, live, A&R, radio, marketing, PR and more.
XL Recordings won the Independent Record Company award last year – click here to see the contenders for 2026.
The 2025 edition was also a sell-out event and concluded with an appearance by Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner to honour manager and Wildlife Entertainment CEO Ian McAndrew with The Strat trophy.
We’re proud to once again support this category, recognising and championing those driving the industry forward, and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps the music industry evolving
Pieter Van Rijn
Downtown’s global ecosystem supports millions of creators, rights-holders and their partners. Across its four core divisions – Publishing, Distribution, Artist & Label Services and Royalties & Financial Services – Downtown collectively serves over 5,000 business clients and reaches over 4 million creators and artists in 145 countries.
“Independent record companies are the musical catalyst of the industry and its innovation,” said Pieter Van Rijn, chief operating officer, Virgin Music Group. “We’re proud to once again support this category at the 2026 Music Week Awards, recognising and championing those driving the industry forward, and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps the music industry evolving.”
For the Music Week Awards table booking waitlist, please contact Kate Smith: kate.smith@futurenet.com
If you’d like to find out about sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Lawrence Cooke: lawrence.cooke@futurenet.com
