Check out who won at this year’s MMEA ceremony, and see what the winners have to say
Each year, the Music Moves Europe Awards (MMEA) selects a handful of artists they think are reshaping the musical landscape of tomorrow. The coveted MMEA prizes are allotted to the best artists the continent has to offer, showcasing the diversity and talents of musicians from all backgrounds, styles, and nations. It’s an annual celebration of European talent that helps to reposition the careers of those granted this shining accolade. Previous winners of the awards include Rosalía, Dua Lipa, and Christine and the Queens, which goes to show the weight these prizes can have.
Taking place during the ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in the Dutch city of Groningen, the awards brought together 15 diverse acts from across the continent, selected by a jury of music industry professionals.
© Bart Heemskerk
This year the nominees included Amelie Siba, CMAT, Eee Gee, Goldkimono, Hause Plants, Jerry Heil, July Jones, Kids Return, KOIKOI, Monikaze, OSKA, Queralt Lahoz, Sans Soucis, Schmyt, and The Haunted Youth.
In addition to being nominated, all 15 artists got to perform at Eurosonic, the world’s largest showcase event for European music, in addition to being invited to join a Business Education Training programme, highlighting best practises within the industry. The five Music Moves Europe Award winners will also receive €10,000 each, the Public Choice Award will be given €5,000, while the winner of the Grand Jury Award gets €10,000 and a green touring voucher worth €5,000.
“We had a lot of mixed emotions and feelings,” says KOIKOI singer and guitarist Marko Grabež about being nominated. “At first we weren’t sure how the awards would work, and then when we did, we were in denial, after we realised how big it was.”
© Siese Veenstra
“I’m very excited about being nominated, I don’t feel that I deserve this,” claimed Lithuanian producer, singer-songwriter Monikaze. “My manager says that I just need to accept that I deserve this, and that there was something I did right. I will feel grateful, but at the same time work harder.”
“I’m so grateful to be recognised at such an amazing awards ceremony,” declared pop-icon July Jones. “It feels like I’m doing something, and no matter what happens, I’m grateful to be here.”
In the end, seven winners were selected, five of which won the Jury award, which included German pop-hip-hop singer Schmyt, London-based Slovenian-icon July Jones, Austrian folk-singer OSKA, French synth-pop duo Kids Return, and Spanish alt-pop sensation Queralt Lahoz.
© Ben Houdijk
“When I realised all the great musicians that had won this award before me, I was very excited that I’d won as a German artist,” claims Schmyt, when asked what it means to be a winner at MMEA. “For me, it’s a great honour that people who don’t understand a word I am saying feel touched by my music.”
“When I think about it, to be recognised in this way is crazy,” says Austrian singer-songwriter OSKA. “I did not expect to win, and I still feel like my music is not something that would work as it’s more quiet, and so to be recognised on a European scale is really, really cool.”
“People from my home, from Austria are really happy for me, and the prize, which includes money, is so amazing for young artists, as it gives me a bit more freedom, freedom not to worry for a few months, or a year.”
© Ben Houdijk
The prestigious Grand Jury prize was awarded to Italian pop, and R&B sensation Sans Soucis, while the Public Choice award was presented to Ukrainian singer-songwriter Jerry Heil.
“I feel really honoured to be here, everyone’s work is so outstanding and inspiring. I look at each artist that was nominated with so much respect and I’m genuinely trying to convince myself that I deserve to be here,” elates Italian R&B songwriter and producer, and Grand Jury prize-winner Sans Soucis. “I’m my own worst critic and I guess I can only see myself through the lense of this exceptional circumstance. MME class of 2023 is looking fabulous!”
“I’m still pinching myself. It’s definitely something I’m still processing,” the MMEA prize winner states. “It has given me a boost in confidence, and reinforced my sense of purpose. It was also very special to get to be there as a proud black and queer Italian person. We deserve our flowers, as it is not easy to find our voice in a world that tries to silence and cancel us on a daily basis.”
© Ben Houdijk
Directly after the award ceremony, Queralt Lahoz took to the stage to present her energetic Latin, alt-pop music to attendees, highlighting why she was such a deserved winner. Later that night Kids Return performed at Huize Maas along with their full backing band, showing off their synth-dexterity, and flaunting their knack for seamless, pop chanson. For Queralt and Kids Return at least, you can be sure that bigger stages await for them, as the MMEA awards continues its record of giving a firm boost to the careers of its prodigious alumni.
