With just days to go until the winner of Liverpool’s GIT Award 2015 is announced at the city’s Kazimier venue on Saturday 4 April, organisers can reveal the winner of the One to Watch prize is 23-year-old rock & roller Louis Berry.

Huyton-born Louis Berry wins this year’s One To Watch Prize, which is awarded to one emerging artist and selected by the Merseyside judging panel, having released just one track to date – yet was named Radio 1’s ‘hottest record in the world right now’.

Described by Getintothis’ Peter Guy as ‘channelling the energy of Jerry Lee Lewis through the story-telling of Dylan’, Berry follows on from the inaugural One To Watch winner Låpsley who has gone on to sign a deal with XL Recordings and release her critically-acclaimed debut EP earlier this year.

Berry’s debut offering .45 was tipped by national print press and radio and after playing just two gigs he signed a contract at each; a publishing deal following an explosive BBC Introducing set and recording terms after lighting up East Village Arts Club.

Louis has recently been in London recording more tracks ahead of a first full release. Berry will celebrate his One To Watch win with a live performance at the GIT Award 2015 ceremony on Saturday April 4th.

The nominees for the main award are All We Are, Circa Waves, D R O H N E, Gulf, Hooton Tennis Club, Roxanne Jones, Låpsley, Esa Shields, Sundowners, Xam Volo, Jane Weaver andWe Are Catchers.

Nine of these will feature in live performances plus specially created visuals at the Kazimier, transformed into an Aztec Jungle for one night only, alongside one-off performances and DJ sets.

The GIT Award this year will be hosted by Impropriety, Liverpool’s premier improvisational comedy group.
Angie Waller, of Impropriety, said: “Impropriety are overjoyed to be hosting this year’s GIT Award. In our true style expect irreverent introductions and heroic stupidity galore.”

This year, the Kazimier will transform their unique venue into an exotic Aztec Jungle, with guests encouraged to embrace the theme and dress the part for this invite only event.

The evening will also include entertainment from the spectacular Batala drummers, Arkopsy’s in-house jam band and the Krukthrust DJs.
GIT Awardshow producer, Joel Murray said: “The GIT Award represents a kaleidoscopic of music from the Liverpool scene – it has given much desired attention to so many emerging and experimental acts that otherwise maybe would not be given the recognition they deserve. It’s a pleasure to be working with such talents.”

Now in its fourth consecutive year, The GIT (Getintothis) Award, champions the best of Merseyside music providing a snapshot of the year in music, recognising significant artistic achievement across a range of musical styles.

This year’s shortlist was selected by national industry figureheads consisting of Bella Union Records’ Simon Raymonde, The Quietus editor John Doran, Heavenly Recordings’ boss Jeff Barrett, UK Music’s Dot Levine, author and journalist Simon Price, 4AD Records’ Rich Walker, Clash Magazine editor Robin Murray, Jarri Van der Haegen, editor of Belgian buzz blog Disco Naivete, XFM deputy programme manager Mike Walsh and Amazing Radio’s Shell Zenner.

The judging panel was completed by respected Merseyside music players including Liverpool Music Week director Mike Deane, Arts Club manager Victoria Smith, Sound City and Club EVOL promoter Steve Miller, Liverpool International Music Festival curator Yaw Owusu, Bido Lito! editor Christopher Torpey – and GIT Award founder and Liverpool Echo journalist, Peter Guy.

Also on the night, a special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry will also be presented. Previous recipients are Africa Oye (2014), Hillsborough Justice Collective (2013) and The Kazimier (2012).

All awards on the night plus unique commemorative mementoes for all 12 nominees will be created by Liverpool design agency ArchiPhonic while Liverpool Craft Beer will provide refreshments.

GIT Award founder Peter Guy added: “This year’s GIT Award is the most exciting yet – not only have we ten first-time nominees but we’ve a show of great ambition and the Inspiration Award will resonate with not just Scousers but music-lovers around the country. Saturday’s show at the Kazimier is going to be a night that lives long in the memory – the whole of Liverpool will be watching.”

For all other details: www.getintothis.co.uk