IAN
MCANDREW Wildlife Entertainment
In this, the year you won the Strat at the Music Week Awards, what did you learn about the art of management? “This year’s been great for music and an abundance of stand-out live shows, but the main lesson I took from 2025 is that the mental health and welfare of artists, road crew and industry professionals operating in our pressurised and volatile business demand greater acknowledgement and support. Everyone has different tolerances. Recognising them and making strategies to accommodate them is essential.”
On stage, you announced a new War Child album, can you update us on its progress since then? “ No child should ever experience war, but tragically today more
children are exposed to the trauma and violence of brutal conflict than ever. Following the Music Week Awards, the response to the upcoming Help album for War Child has been overwhelmingly positive. So many incredible artists have freely given their time and creativity to donate recordings for this special album. James Ford, Abbey Road, the wonderful team at Beggars and many others have voluntarily provided their services and devoted their time and skills to help bring this album to life. Announcement details will follow soon, so watch this space.”
What was your track of 2025? “Love Takes Miles by Cameron Winter. I really love his Heavy Metal album and this year’s offering from his band, Geese. His baritone voice and careful words offer hope and charming introspection.”
And your favourite album?
“Self Titled, Kae Tempest’s best work yet. I’m not sure there is anyone who conveys powerful truths in such a courageous, emotive but non-judgemental way. The sense of liberation is palpable.”
BROOKE SALISBURY Sony Music UK
Strat’s life: Ian McAndrew celebrates winning The Strat at the Music Week Awards with (L-R) Alex Turner and Wildlife’s Emma Greengrass
LIZZIE
DICKSON YouTube
Can you name the best case study of a UK act
using YouTube for a campaign this year? “It’s been amazing to see so many artists investing in long-form video this year. Fred Again.., Lola Young, Odeal and Oasis have all been stand-out examples of artists using video for deeper storytelling and fan connection.”
What did you learn about the next generation of industry talent in 2025? “From our partnership with the MMF on the Accelerator Programme, it’s clear that the next generation is more entrepreneurial, purpose-driven and globally-minded than ever. It’s amazing to see how collaborative they are with one another. I think they understand data, creativity and culture equally well.”
What was your track of 2025? “Berghain by Rosalía – the music video is just incredible.”
And your favourite album?
“Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving: soulful pop perfection.”
28 | Music Week And your favourite album? “Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving stood out.”
JIM KING AEG Presents UK
What is the biggest lesson you took from the festival circuit this year? “The tired question,
‘Where are the future stadium headliners?’ has been answered more strongly than ever. Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Charli XCX, Raye and so many others have shown the industry that the future is already here.”
And what was your top festival set of 2025? “Neil Young at BST was the best set I’ve ever seen him play, and Olivia and Sabrina both crushed it. But Zach Bryan set the world on fire for me. Unlike so many other headliners who arrive at Hyde Park after huge arena runs, BST was his first UK show since Islington Assembly Hall [in 2023]. It was completely engaging and his connection with his fans is so powerful. His band are also incredible and brought his storytelling to life. It was as if they played there every week!”
What was your favourite song of 2025? “Messy by Lola Young. A beautiful pop song.”
Sony won the International Marketing category at the Music Week Awards in May. How have your campaigns evolved since? “The ingredients still feel the same: incredible music propelled by fans globally. We use many different tricks to spark noise and excitement online now, and that’s where the evolution is, but you still need the former to deliver a brilliant campaign.”
Is there a territory you’re most excited about at the moment? “It’s all about the global view and the sum of all parts for me.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025? “Dave & Tems’ Raindance was a beautiful song, like a big hug, and Rosalía’s Lux… wow!”
COLIN
BATSA EGA Distro
What’s your most unexpected discovery of the past year? “An artist by the name of Catch who is about to redefine the music industry.”
And your proudest achievement of the year? “The growth of my team. We have moved into publishing, we have a flourishing tech business called EGA Tech and we have expanded into France.”
What was your track of 2025? “Asco & Young Adz – High End Fashion. This is a great hip-hop song and I’m a massive fan of Young Adz’s rapping.”
And your favourite album? “Marnz Malone – Sabr. A classic UK hip-hop album.”
musicweek.com
PHOTOS: Will Ireland, Michael Leckie, Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott, Carsten Windhorst, Gerard Hynes
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