Bournemouth, Events & Entertainment | Posted on November 28th, 2025 | return to news

Dorset music awards to recognise Billy Bragg

The annual Original Music Awards Dorset will take place at The Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth on 17 January 2026.

The annual Original Music Awards (OMAs), which celebrates Dorset musicians and the local industry, will take place on 17 January 2026. It is relocating from Lighthouse Poole to The Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth.

Ahead of the night, the OMAs have revealed some of the winners its special award categories. Most notable, the OMAs will present a special award for ‘Putting Dorset On The Map’ to acclaimed musician and political activist Billy Bragg.

Bragg is a highly accomplished singer songwriter with 42 years of experience as a performer, as well as an advocate for the music industry and other political causes.

Having owned a home in Burton Bradstock from 1999 to 2021, he has also been vocal about the beauty of Dorset and is a keen activist in encouraging it to remain that way. He recently took part in a protest against plans for a waste incinerator plans for Weymouth and Portland where he made a speech and performed.

In awarding this gong, the OMA panel said “Billy’s love of music, people and the environment that surrounds him, inspires and encourages the people of Dorset to stand up for what they believe in and celebrate those that have. Throughout his career he has always been honest to himself and others and we feel that he embodies what the awards stand for.”

A range of different awards will be presented on the night of the OMAs, decided by a panel of music journalists, musicians, promoters, and radio hosts from across the county. Other special awards include the ‘Eclectic Achievement’ award to country-pop artists Helena Mace, the ‘Grassroots Music Hero’ award to Lyn Mackenzie from Weymouth, and the ‘Supporting Original Music’ award to The Tap & Grape in Broadstone.

Organisers Matt Black and Mel Payne from Hangover Hill, the team behind the grassroots music events ‘Live & Unheard’ and ‘Legends’ at Lighthouse Poole, said: “We started the awards to bring some positivity to the local music industry. We know what a thriving music scene there is in Dorset and we felt it should be celebrated.

“The music community works because it supports itself, and as a direct result of the OMAs there are now more venues across Dorset that are willing to support and encourage original music, which can only be a good thing for creativity in this inspirational part of the world.”

Tickets to the OMAs are on sale now at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hangoverhill/1963491.