Devon Music Awards 2025: Celebrating local talent and global ambitions

The Music in Devon Initiative CIC (MIDI) is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2nd Annual “MIDI TV Presents the Devon Music Awards.” The event, dedicated to recognising and celebrating the vibrant musical talent across Devon, will take place on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Bomba in Exeter.

The Devon Music Awards showcase the breadth and depth of the county’s music scene. This year, thousands of public nominations resulted in finalists across 10 categories, including Best Live Act, Best New Artist, and Best Album. Among the standout nominees are acts such as Samantics, Omega Nebula, and Haytor, reflecting the diverse genres and styles thriving in Devon.

In addition to the competitive awards, the ceremony will honour a Legend/Special Recognition Award recipient, to be revealed during the event.

The night will feature live performances from Devon’s most celebrated artists, including:

• Ant Lexa (actress in Sex Education),

• Samantics,

• Reo & The Novo Collective,

• 3 Days of Wonder,

• Haytor,

• Twilight of the Pleasure Gods, and

• Leonard & The Zombies.

This year introduces a star-studded line-up of Patrons supporting the awards. These include:

• Ant Lexa, actress and singer-songwriter,

• Douglas Hodge, multi-award-winning actor and musician (The Joker, Everyone Hates Suzie),

• Batch Gueye, internationally acclaimed Senegalese musician, and

• Cole Stacey, one-half of the alt-folk duo India Electric Company.

The Patrons will work with the MIDI team to evaluate submissions, provide mentorship, and open pathways for Devon’s musicians to reach wider audiences beyond the South West.

The inaugural Devon Music Awards in 2023 were a sold-out success, providing a much-needed platform for the South West music scene. The awards have been instrumental in creating networking opportunities for artists, connecting them with BBC Introducing, media outlets, and key industry professionals.

The event is supported by sponsors such as Hilton Ames Chauffeurs, Exeter’s Involving Music, Project Music, and Creative UK, with additional sponsorship packages still available.

The 2025 awards carry the theme “Serious Business,” highlighting the dual nature of Devon’s music scene: epic and chaotic, glamorous yet grounded. As Drea Paizs, Director of MIDI TV and awards organiser, explains: "Our theme captures what makes Devon’s artists unique. They’re legends in the making but remain relatable, taking their craft seriously without losing their authenticity."

The awards will be documented by MIDI TV, the initiative’s online station likened to an MTV for Devon. The station will film performances, interviews with winners, and key moments from the night, sharing the highlights annually on its YouTube channel as a musical gift.

Event Details

• Tickets: £20, available now.

• Doors Open: 7:30pm.

• After Party: Follows the ceremony, closing at 2am.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket purchases, visit MIDI’s website.

Tickets available from https://www.fatsoma.com/e/wc3zfg9o/devon-music-awards-2025

Don’t miss this exciting celebration of Devon’s music scene—an unmissable night showcasing the incredible talent thriving in the region.