Arts, Bournemouth, Dorset | Posted on February 5th, 2026 | return to news

Dorset original music industry celebrated at award show

The Original Music Awards were held at the Marsham Court Hotel Bournemouth on 17 January.

The best of Dorset’s bands, music venues and promoters were celebrated at an awards ceremony on 17 January.

The fourth annual Original Music Awards (OMAs) were held at the Marsham Court Hotel Bournemouth. Organised by the recording studio Hangover Hill and legendary ‘piano man’ Matt Black, the award winners are chosen by an independent judging panel of music reviewers, musicians, backstage crew, radio presenters, festival organisers, and more.

Among this year’s winners were The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show (Best Band), Dead Horse Bay (Best Live Act) and Jack Grace (Best Solo Act). Dixie Dix win Best Video for the song ‘Smoking Kills’, while Bear Cave on Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth was chosen as the Best Original Music Venue.

There was also a selection of special awards handed out. These included: singer, songwriter and activist Billy Bragg, who was given an award for “putting Dorset on the map”; The Absolute Music Trust received a special award for services to the community; and The Tap & Grape in Broadstone was selected for a special award for supporting original music.

A spokesperson for the OMAs said: “Congratulations to not only the winners but to all of those who were nominated this year, you should all feel incredibly proud of yourselves although we realise some of you may be feeling disappointed.

“The panel have the huge and sometimes impossible task in trying to cover the whole of Dorset in all the different categories and genres. I’m sure you can understand how difficult this is and how hard they work. They are all people who support our local musicians and industry all year round and not just for the awards.”

Photos © Matt Rayner