• The awards feature seven categories including the brand-new Young Music Photographer of the Year 
• Winners revealed at awards ceremony taking place at London’s Amazing Grace on 26 March 2024 
• The latest partnership for The Independent which demonstrates the news brand’s commitment to supporting and celebrating talent throughout the music ecosystem  

The Independent is pleased to announce that it is the official news partner of the SO.CO Image of Music Awards. Now in its second year, the competition celebrates the art of music photography and is open to those of all abilities. 

Born out of a desire to champion the often-unsung heroes behind the lens, the inaugural awards saw photographers from around the world entering their work. 

The three open-entry categories for this year are: 

• Image of Music ‘People’s Choice’ Award 2024 
• Music Photographer of the Year  
• Young Music Photographer of the Year – a new category that shines a spotlight on emerging talent under the age of 23.  

The other four categories are: 

• Venue of the Year 
• Innovation of the Year 
• Must See Artist of the Year  
• Legend Award 

Entries are now open, with submissions closing on 31 January 2024, and public voting opening in early February. Winners will be revealed at the award ceremony which takes place at Amazing Grace in London on 26 March 2024. Guidelines and further information is available at https://so.co/awards.

The Independent will be supporting the awards with editorial and news, with The Independent’s Music Editor Roisin O’Connor on the judging panel.

The relationship follows recent Independent partnerships with Montreux Jazz Festival, The Great Escape, Forest Live and Black Deer, and demonstrates the news brand’s commitment to using its huge platform to support and celebrate talent, spaces and events throughout the arts ecosystem. More partnerships are set to be announced in the coming weeks.