ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, has announced it will be hosting the prestigious MOBO Awards for the second time.
Chart topping UK act Rizzle Kicks, last year nominated for three gongs, joined MOBO Awards founder Kanya King MBE today (TUES) to announce that Echo Arena Liverpool will host the star-studded show on Saturday 3 November.
The MOBO Awards attracted an audience of more than 7,500 music fans last time it was held in the city in October 2010. It is expected to generate more than £1m in economic impact for the city region.
The internationally renowned MOBO Awards are held annually in the UK and over the past 17 years, MOBO has showcased and honoured many of the music industry’s finest talent from around the world with performances and attendances from A-list artists including Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Dionne Warwick, Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Dizzee Rascal, Marley Family, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Usher and Amy Winehouse to name a few.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said: “The MOBO Awards chose Liverpool as the first ever location outside of London to host their prestigious event in 2010, building on the city’s reputation of having a strong musical heritage.
“The Awards will be broadcast across BBC platforms so they will provide another fantastic opportunity to show the world that Liverpool successfully hosts significant music events.
“As November’s Awards will take place on a Saturday night, the potential for economic impact is huge with thousands of visitors expected to stay in the city for the weekend.”
The Awards will take place at Echo Arena Liverpool whilst the adjoining BT Convention Centre will provide additional green room space for artists.
MOBO Awards founder, Kanya King MBE, said “We had a fantastic show in Liverpool two years ago and worked very well with the city and Echo Arena Liverpool which makes it a real joy to come back and have an even bigger celebration of the best talent around this year.
“This year’s show will have some fabulous performances as always, with some great performances on the night. The nominations for the various categories will be announced early next month. Both Liverpool and MOBO are getting ready for another historic event in this Olympic year.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “Liverpool is delighted to host the MOBO awards for the second time. It’s a real coup that once again the city has been selected as the location where some of the music industry’s finest talents will be honoured.
“This city’s contribution to music is unrivalled and as a vibrant, creative and diverse city, we welcome any opportunity to showcase what Liverpool has to offer. It is thanks to the award-winning Echo Arena Liverpool that we are able to welcome such exciting events which all help to project us before a global audience.
“We have a fantastic reputation when it comes to staging high-profile events and I’m sure that the 2012 MOBO Awards will be a huge success.”
