Tuesday 18th April 2023 — Today, Heavy Music Awards announces its first wave performers and hosts for the historic 2023 event, set to take place at OVO Arena Wembley on 26 May 2023. Renowned for showcasing the diverse global icons of heavy music at the annual event, this year will welcome unique and special performances from some of the most exciting names in the scene. With a location upgrade to OVO Arena Wembley, the celebrated venue will recognise the growing impact of heavy music, highlighting both breakthrough artists and stalwarts of the scene. Pre-sale tickets are available to voters and general sale tickets available Wednesday 19th April at 10am, starting at just £25 (plus fees), which are on sale here.

With four nomination nods for the HMAs 2023 — including Best International Live Artist and Best Album – Lzzy and Joe of the ferocious Halestorm will be playing an intimate ‘unplugged’ show at the awards, joined by inimitable Machine Gun Kelly guitarist Sophie Lloyd. Further talent set to take the stage includes the hugely influential Florida metalcore outfit Underoath, dramatic gothic punks Creeper, Blackpool alt-rockers Boston Manor, and incendiary rock outfit Vukovi (HMAs record makers, boasting 5 nominations this year), joined by pink provocateur Scene Queen in an exclusive one-off collaboration.

Joining the performers on stage and off are an array of compelling hosts from the world of heavy music. Renowned broadcaster and breakthrough music mogul, Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker will once again proudly step up to the role of the evenings host, a Heavy Music Awards mainstay after presenting a number of previous unforgettable shows across the awards history. Joining the presenting team will be the alt music champions of national radio, BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock presenter Alyx Holcombe and BBC Radio 1 Future Alternative presenter Nels Hylton, taking to the Red Carpet to capture the incredible spirit of the evenings celebrations.

This monumental year for the awards continues, with an incredible 1.3 million votes received from fans across 163 countries, giving their huge community of fans a direct hand in shaping the future of their own beloved scene. To thank the zealous and growing Heavy Music Awards fanbase, voters are being given the first opportunity to grab tickets to this landmark event in the UK heavy music calendar, with an exclusive voters only pre-sale now live. General sale will begin Wednesday 19th April at 10am, with tickets starting at £25 (plus fees) and can be found here.

Since its inception back in 2017, the Heavy Music Awards has certified itself as a staple of the heavy music awards calendar, supporting bands from their seminal gigs all the way up to sold out, globe-trotting stadium tours. The awards are known for championing the best in the genre and recognising the most exciting talent in the scene, alongside celebrating the successes of established industry icons. Previous years have supported the breakthrough careers of Nova Twins, Wargasm, Spiritbox, Cassyette and Hot Milk whilst simultaneously recognising the colossal success of Slipknot, Metallica and Bring Me The Horizon in the UK market and beyond.