YOUTH MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE ASTLE ON RECOGNITION, COMMUNITY AND WHY YOUNG VOICES MATTER
For many artists, recognition can provide validation during the difficult moments that inevitably come with pursuing a music career. For Liverpool musician Astle, being nominated for the lyricalist award at the Youth Music Awards understandably means a lot to him.
“It fills me with pride to be recognised in this way,” he says. “I pour a lot of myself into my music, and things like this really help you to keep going. Particularly in the lyricist category, as lyrics are so important to my songwriting.”
But for him, the Youth Music Awards represent far more than trophies and nominations. They are a reflection of the independent spirit that continues to drive emerging artists across the UK. “They represent the independent creatives who strive for greatness in what they do. Everyone I know who has been nominated holds that as a key part of their music. It also represents an amazing charity that helps musicians at all stages of their career, from first picking up a guitar to releasing their first album. It’s a celebration of the good people in the music industry.”
Thinking about where he started, he’ll be the first to admit that maybe they didn’t always realise the significance Youth Music could have for a developing artist at that age.
“I think it would have meant the same to me then as it does now, except I wouldn’t have understood how important organisations like Youth Music really are. When you first enter the industry, you aren’t aware of how difficult it can be. I would have loved it regardless, but the amount of work it takes to get here makes it feel much bigger now.”
That view shapes his belief in giving artists from all sorts of backgrounds a shot. The music industry still has a lot of hurdles, especially money-related ones, so programs that help break those barriers have never been more important.
“There are so many barriers to getting into music, and Youth Music helps to remove them through its amazing funding and support. It’s vital. These opportunities are what allow us to produce so many incredible artists across different genres. It would be difficult to find an artist who hasn’t benefited from Youth Music in some capacity.”
This year’s awards are happening in Liverpool, a city famous for its music scene. For a local artist, it’s a perfect spot to host the event. “As someone from Liverpool, I think it’s the perfect place. As much as I love London, it’s brilliant to see events like this being held elsewhere and proving that other cities can host amazing events too. Liverpool is the greatest music city in the world. And that’s not being biased!”
While organisations such as Youth Music and PRS continue to support emerging artists, he believes there is still much more work to do. “I think people are trying. Youth Music and PRS in particular spring to mind when it comes to accessible funding. However, it costs an unbelievable amount of money just to release a single song these days, and many artists, especially those from working-class backgrounds, simply can’t afford it. The more funding that’s available to young artists, the more chance we have of discovering special people who have something important to say.”
When asked what advice he would give to young musicians attending the awards and dreaming of a music career, their answer is simple. “Give it a go and stick to your guns. Don’t take advice from the suits. You know your songs better than anyone. If you think it’s good, then it’s good.”
Like many artists, he can point to a specific organisation that helped transform music from a hobby into a genuine possibility. “LIMF Academy supported me when I was seventeen. They told me I was an artist. Before that, I thought I was just a weirdo who loved music more than anyone else in my school. Without them, I would never have kept going.” It’s another reminder of why grassroots communities remain so essential.
“It’s vital. People can’t do things on their own, and artists need support to keep going.”
The impact of music, they argue, should never be measured solely by numbers. “What I hope young people take away from the awards is that there are many different ways to be successful in music. It’s not all about numbers. Impact can be felt in a million different ways.” If they could change one thing for the next generation, the answer comes without hesitation. “More funding. More opportunities for people to create freely and fiercely.” Despite the challenges facing emerging artists, they remain optimistic about the future of music in the UK. “Just the music. Every day you hear something wonderful that’s new. It’s inspiring.”
And if he had the chance to address every young person in the room when the awards begin? The message would be simple, but powerful. “Your voice is needed, and we want to hear it. Keep going.”
It’s a message that captures the spirit of the Youth Music Awards as much as Astle himself. By recognising emerging talent and breaking down barriers to opportunity, the awards continue to champion the next generation of musicians, songwriters and creatives who will shape the future of British music. Listen to Astle and the other nominees’ stories through Youth Music’s channels and discover why their voices matter.
Follow Astles on Instagram @astlesmusic for updates.
