The Music Producers Guild Awards at The Troxy this year felt less like an industry function and more like a proper celebration of community, craft, and long-standing friendships. My wife and I were invited as guests of the plug-in manufacturers FSK, which made the evening feel even more special from the outset. There’s something about walking into a room filled with people you’ve admired, worked with, or simply shared a musical journey alongside, it immediately becomes personal.
We were lucky enough to be seated with great friends, including the brilliant Andrew Scheps and his wife. Seeing Andrew take home Atmos Mixer of the Year was one of those genuinely satisfying moments, not just because of the achievement itself, however because of who he is and the consistency of excellence he brings to everything he touches. Moments like that remind you that this industry, for all its challenges, still rewards passion and dedication.
You can join the MPG here: https://mpg.org.uk/join-the-mpg/
Throughout the evening, there was a steady stream of well-deserved recognitions. Ricky Damian picking up Recording Engineer of the Year was another highlight, again, a win that felt personal because of the friendships and shared history behind it. The same could be said for so many in that room. These are not distant figures, they are colleagues, collaborators, and in many cases, close friends.
One of my favourite moments personally was seeing Mark ‘Spike’ Stent honoured with the Icon Award. Spike and I actually grew up in the same area and both went to Calthorpe Park Secondary School, something we only discovered years later when he mixed a band I wrote and produced called Vedera. Neither of us believed the other at first when it came up, which probably tells you everything you need to know about how surreal this industry can be. From the same school to sitting in a room celebrating his incredible legacy, it was a full-circle moment.
Beyond the individual awards, what stood out most was the collective spirit. From Zach Nahome winning Producer of the Year and contributing to Olivia Dean’s Album of the Year, to Andrew Scheps’ recognition in immersive audio, the evening showcased just how broad and evolving our world has become. There was also something deeply grounding about seeing studios like Decoy and Snap! recognised, a reminder that the physical spaces where we create still matter enormously.
The special awards added another emotional layer. Honouring figures like Mark ‘Spike’ Stent and organisations like the BBC Radiophonic Workshop connected the present moment to a much bigger legacy. It reinforced the idea that we’re all part of a continuum, building on what came before while hopefully inspiring what comes next.
For me, the night wasn’t about any one award or speech. It was about sitting there with my wife, surrounded by friends, sharing in their success, and being reminded why we all fell in love with this in the first place. The MPG Awards continue to celebrate the very best of what we do, however more importantly, they celebrate who we do it with.
You can join the MPG here: https://mpg.org.uk/join-the-mpg/