Boisdale Xerjoff Music Awards 2024: Capturing a Star-Studded Celebration
Recently, I had the privilege of photographing the 12th annual Boisdale Music Awards, held at Boisdale of Canary Wharf and hosted by the brilliant Jools Holland and YolanDa Brown. This night brought together an incredible range of musical talent, celebrating artists from jazz, blues, soul, reggae, and pop—making it one of the most eclectic music award nights I've captured.
My evening began by photographing guests as they arrived, posing against the backdrop of the event’s official photo wall. I then moved on to candid shots of guests enjoying champagne, conversation, and the anticipation of the evening ahead. The energy was palpable as award winners stepped on stage, each performing alongside the fantastic Boisdale house band, which gave the night an intimate and electrifying feel.
The award winners included Roachford, Jazzie B of Soul II Soul, Tony Christie, Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals, Sonique, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, Trevor Nelson, General Levy, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Connor Selby, Aswad, Fat Tony, Tom Seals, Stone Jets, and Emma Smith. Each of these artists brought their unique flair, giving a performance that made every moment unforgettable.
Alongside the award winners, the event also welcomed an array of other notable guests, including Omar, Simon Bartholomew of The Brand New Heavies, Jaki Graham, Pauline Henry of The Chimes, Nick Reynolds of Alabama 3, Lisa Mafia of So Solid Crew, and Gordon Mac, the founder of Kiss FM. It was wonderful to capture these familiar faces, both in relaxed moments and during their enthusiastic support of the night's performers.
"A BIG thank you! Truly excellent photos and it was lovely to have you on the team. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!"
—Ranald Macdonald, Managing Director
The night also included a charity auction that raised an impressive £9,000 for The Sovereign Art Foundation, adding a sense of purpose to the festivities. Guests enjoyed a beautiful three-course meal paired with wines, all while surrounded by the distinctive fragrances of Xerjoff Luxury Perfumes, adding a sensory touch to an already atmospheric evening.
The night came to a spectacular close with Kathy Sledge’s performance of the jazz classic "That’s All," followed by an electrifying rendition of "We Are Family," getting the whole room up and dancing—including Jools himself. Capturing those spontaneous, joyful moments was the highlight of the night for me.
Below, you can find a selection of my photographs from the evening—featuring not only the stars on stage but also the candid, behind-the-scenes moments that made this night truly special.
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