Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil is first ever winner of Fender Play Award at Q Awards 2018
It honours guitar trailblazers
Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil is the first ever winner of the Fender Play Award at the Q Awards 2018 in association with Absolute Radio.
Named after Fender's digital tool Fender Play, the new accolade celebrates artists at the forefront of guitar music who use their instruments to drive musical innovation and influence up-and-coming bands.
Explaining why Simon Neil has been honoured with the inaugural Fender Play Award, Q Magazine Editor Ted Kessler says: “Biffy Clyro are one of rock’s most compelling groups and Q has been there every step of the way as they’ve turned into one of the UK’s biggest bands.
“At their core is Simon Neil, a frontman who possesses the perfect blend of raw emotion and rock’n’roll charisma, the sort of figurehead who inspires the next generation to pick up a guitar.
“We’re very excited that Simon is the first recipient of our inaugural Fender Play award, a prize that will be reserved for only the most trailblazing talents in modern guitar music.”
Andy Mooney, Fender CEO, adds: "Simon Neil represents the very definition of a contemporary guitar hero – someone who’s equally at ease playing his road worn Strat on a major arena stage as he is playing an intimate acoustic set to Biffy Clyro’s devoted fan base.
“Simon’s guitar is part of him and fundamental to how he composes in-studio and performs live. The Fender Play Q Award has been created to honour musicians like Simon who continue to push the creative limits of guitar driven music and inspire all of us to pick one up and begin our own musical journey.
“We are proud to celebrate his achievements at the Q Awards, where guitar legends have been celebrated in all of their glory for nearly three decades.”
Now in its 28th glorious year, The Q Awards takes place at The Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday 17th October. Just like 2016 and 2017 the ceremony will be followed by a very special intimate post-awards gig, this year featuring Wolf Alice and IDLES.
The full list of nominees are as follows:
Q Breakthrough Act presented by Red Stripe
Amyl & The Sniffers
Goat Girl
Tom Grennan
The Magic Gang
IDLES
Bugzy Malone
Nakhane
Novelist
Nadine Shah
Jorja Smith
Rejjie Snow
Q Best Track presented by Firestone
Love It If We Made It – The 1975
This Is America – Childish Gambino
Girlfriend – Christine & The Queens
The Man – Goat Girl
Make Me Feel – Janelle Monae
Bells & Circles - Underworld & Iggy Pop
Q Best Album
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino – Arctic Monkeys
Hunter - Anna Calvi
Who Built The Moon? – Noel Gallagher
Joy As An Act Of Resistance - IDLES
Marauder - Interpol
I’m All Ears – Let’s Eat Grandma
Q Best Live Act presented by The Cavern Club
David Byrne
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Liam Gallagher
Stefflon Don
Taylor Swift
Wolf Alice
Q Best Solo Artist presented by Absolute Radio
Christine & The Queens
Drake
Noel Gallagher
Janelle Monae
Ed Sheeran
Sophie
Q Best Act In The World Today presented by Rocksteady Music School
The 1975
Arctic Monkeys
Florence & The Machine
Kendrick Lamar
St Vincent
Paul Weller
Q Best Festival/Event presented by Pretty Green Clothing
All Points East
British Summertime
Isle Of Wight Festival
Latitude Festival
RIZE Festival
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