On Thursday 5th June, The Queen’s Hotel in Newport became the beating heart of the local music scene as it hosted the 2025 Love Live Music Awards. Organised by Newport City Radio, the evening was a joyous celebration of the musical talent that fills venues, studios, and airwaves across Newport and the surrounding areas.
Designed to recognise and elevate artists from every corner of the music spectrum, the awards celebrated everything from pop and punk to blues, rap, folk, and beyond. Hosted with warmth and humour by Adam and Emma, the ceremony was packed with emotional wins, powerful performances, and a strong sense of community spirit.
Performers Who Lit Up the Stage
The night featured a stellar lineup of live performances, beginning with an evocative solo performance by Frankie Wesson, winner of last year’s Best Original Song, followed by a punchy set from The Rogues.
Shiftypop (Sarah Hughes) brought quirky, ukelele driven charm, while spoken-word artist The Honest Poet (Jaimee Summers) delivered an emotionally charged set that brought the room to silence. Josh Hicks, one of the night’s biggest winners, had the crowd on their feet with his award-winning anthem Eyes on You.
Perhaps the most touching and collaborative part of the night was the debut of the Newport City Radio Supergroup—a band of local musicians who formed during cold Monday winter nights at the NCR studio. These sessions, born from networking and creativity, resulted in original songs that were performed for the first time at the awards. The Supergroup performers included Lindsey Freckleton, Rebecca Richards, Cole Underwood, Kori Flowers, Mark Watkin-Price, John Morris, Jared Davies, Tony Fitz, Jimi James, Rhys Hone, and Gethin Rees, who delivered three powerful songs to a rapturous audience.
The Winners
This year’s awards saw a diverse spread of winners:
Best Male Solo – Josh Hicks
Best Female Solo – Alys Hardy
Best Duo – Act Happy
Best Original Band – Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy
Best Covers Band – Ampersand
Best Youth Act – Hairdye
Best Pop Act – Macy
Best Blues/Jazz – Moonlight Crisis
Best Rap/Reggae – Delicious Dee
Best Indie/Rock – Guilty Party
Best Metal/Punk – Sydney Fate
Best Country/Folk – Rebecca Richards
Best Original Christmas Song – Under the Mistletoe by Alli Thomas
Best Feel-Good Song – Eyes on You by Josh Hicks
Best Venue – Bourton’s Live Music Café Bar
Local Legend – Scott McKeon, for outstanding contribution to Newport’s music scene
A Scene Full of Soul
The evening wasn’t just about competition—it was about connection. Whether it was the warmth between friends in the audience, the mutual respect between nominees, or the collaborative spirit of the Supergroup, the 2025 Love Live Music Awards proved once again that Newport’s music scene isn’t just thriving—it’s a family.
As the final note rang out and applause echoed through The Queen’s Hotel, one thing was clear: the love for live music in Newport burns brighter than ever.
