The MPG (Music Producers Guild) have revealed the full shortlist for this year’s MPG Awards, which will be taking place at The Troxy in London, UK, on 16 April 2026. Now in their 18th year, the awards celebrate the very best of British production talent working behind the scenes in the UK music industry, alongside some key international collaborators.
The Producer of the Year shortlist features Zach Nahome, James Ford, Catherine Marks, Miles Clinton James and Steph Marziano — five producers whose work this year has spanned acclaimed alternative releases, global pop campaigns and forward-thinking independent records. The Breakthrough Producer of the Year nominees are Jonathan Gilmore, Oli Barton-Wood and Richie Kennedy, while the Breakthrough Engineer of the Year shortlist comprises Evie Clark-Yospa, Rookes and Freddy Williams.
Studio categories once again serve to highlight the importance of recording spaces across the UK, with Strongroom, Decoy and Rockfield nominated for Large Commercial Studio, and Baltic Studios, Snap! Studios and ARC Abbey Recording Studios shortlisted in the Small Commercial Studio category.
The Self-Producing Artist of the Year nominees include Disclosure (Guy Lawrence and Howard Lawrence) who continue to redefine the UK dance scene; Barry Can't Swim (Joshua Spence Mainnie), who has emerged as one of the most exciting names in contemporary electronic music; and Maribou State (Chris Davids and Liam Ivory) who are recognised for their textured, immersive productions.
In Album of the Year, three distinctive and ambitious releases are shortlisted: Olivia Dean ‘The Art of Loving’, Biffy Clyro ‘Futique’ and Sam Fender ‘People Watching’.
The MPG have also announced Jon Thornton, Head of Sound Technology at LIPA, as the winner of their gifted, Special Recognition Award. Jon Thornton commented: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I was told about the award. It’s incredibly flattering, although I’ll admit I felt a touch of imposter syndrome. But really, this isn’t about me — it’s about the team. It’s about the institution, the students, the graduates and the staff. That’s where the success truly lies, and that’s what we’re celebrating.”
The Full Shortlist
Producer Of The Year — Sponsored by Flare Audio
- Zach Nahome
- James Ford
- Catherine Marks
- Miles Clinton James
- Steph Marziano
Breakthrough Producer Of The Year
- Jonathan Gilmore
- Oli Barton-Wood
- Richie Kennedy
Breakthrough Engineer Of The Year
- Evie Clark-Yospa.
- Rookes
- Freddy Williams
Mastering Engineer Of The Year — Sponsored by dCS Audio
- Natalie Bibby
- Matt Colton
- Katie Tavini
Mix Engineer Of The Year
- Matt Wiggins
- Charlie Holmes
- Oli Jacobs
Atmos Mixer Of The Year — Sponsored by Dolby Atmos
- Andrew Scheps
- Mike Hillier
- Kurt Martinez
Large Commercial Studio — Sponsored by Neumann
- Strongroom
- Decoy
- Rockfield.
Small Commercial Studio — Sponsored by Neumann
- Baltic Studios
- Snap! Studios
- ARC Abbey Recording Studios.
Recording Engineer Of The Year — Sponsored by Neve
- Ricky Damian
- Ramera Abraham
- Gianluca Massimo
Self-Producing Artist Of The Year — Sponsored by PRS for Music
- Disclosure: Guy Lawrence; Howard Lawrence.
- Barry Can’t Swim: Joshua Spence Mainnie.
- Maribou State: Chris Davids, Liam Ivory
Unsung Hero — Sponsored by Musicians’ Union
- Barry Grint
- Mick Ross (Generator)
- Aubrey Whitfield
Writer-Producer Of The Year— Sponsored by SESAC
- Steph Marziano
- MNEK
- Max Wolfgang
Album Of The Year
-
Olivia Dean: 'The Art of Loving’
- Producer: Zach Nahome
- Engineer: Zach Nahome
- Mixer: Charlie Holmes
- Mastering: Simon Francis
- Biffy Clyro: ‘Futique'
- Producer: Biffy Clyro, Jonathan Gilmore
- Engineer: Freddy Williams
- Mixer: Jonathan Gilmore
- Sam Fender: ‘People Watching’
- Producer: Sam Fender, Markus Dravs, Dean Thompson, Joe Atkinson
- Engineer: Iain Berryman, Oli Jacobs
- Mixer: Craig Silvey, Dani Bennett Spragg
Original Score Recording Of The Year
-
Young Fathers: '28 Years Later (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
- Producer: Young Fathers, Rosie Danvers, Tommy Danvers
- Engineer: Jake Jackson
- Mixer: James Trevascus
- Stephen Gallagher: 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
- Producer: Mark Willsher, Stephen Gallagher
- Engineer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley
- Mixer: Mark Willsher, Peter Cobbin, Kirsty Whalley
- Brandon Roberts: 'Andor: Season 2 Vol. 1–4 (Episodes 1–12) [Original Score]’
- Producer: Brandon Roberts
- Engineer: Geoff Foster
- Mixer: Geoff Foster
Tickets
The MPG Awards 2026 will be held on 16 April at The Troxy, London, E1 0HX. Tickets are on sale now.
