Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil has been announced as the first ever recipient of the Fender Play Award at this year's Q Awards 2018 in association with Absolute Radio.
Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil
The new prize has been created to celebrate an artist at the forefront of guitar music today who have used their ability with the instrument to make innovative music and inspire the next generation.
Scottish rocker Simon has been chosen to get the award - which is named after Fender's digital tool Fender Play, a learning app guitar, bass and ukulele - for his guitar skills and incredible achievements with hard rock band Biffy Clyro who have released seven studio albums during their two decade spanning career and become one of the must-watch live bands in the world.
Speaking about Simon and Biffy Clyro's impact on guitar music, Ted Kessler - Editor of Q Magazine - said: "Biffy Clyro are one of rock's most compelling groups and Q has been there every step of the way as they've turned into one of the UK's biggest bands. At their core is Simon Neil, a frontman who possesses the perfect blend of raw emotion and rock'n'roll charisma, the sort of figurehead who inspires the next generation to pick up a guitar. We're very excited that Simon is the first recipient of our inaugural Fender Play award, a prize that will be reserved for only the most trailblazing talents in modern guitar music."
And Andy Mooney - Fender CEO - added: "Simon Neil represents the very definition of a contemporary guitar hero - someone who's equally at ease playing his road worn Strat on a major arena stage as he is playing an intimate acoustic set to Biffy Clyro's devoted fan base. Simon's guitar is part of him and fundamental to how he composes in-studio and performs live. The Fender Play Q Award has been created to honour musicians like Simon who continue to push the creative limits of guitar driven music and inspire all of us to pick one up and begin our own musical journey. We are proud to celebrate his achievements at the Q Awards, where guitar legends have been celebrated in all of their glory for nearly three decades."
The Q Awards, now in their 28th year, take place on October 17 at The Roundhouse in Camden, London, and The 1975, Christine and the Queens and the Arctic Monkeys lead the nominations.
Q Awards 2018 full list of nominations:
Q Breakthrough Act presented by Red Stripe
Amyl & The Sniffers
Goat Girl
Tom Grennan
The Magic Gang
IDLES
Bugzy Malone
Nakhane
Novelist
Nadine Shah
Jorja Smith
Rejjie Snow
Q Best Track presented by Firestone
'Love It If We Made It' - The 1975
'This Is America' - Childish Gambino
'Girlfriend' - Christine & The Queens
'The Man' - Goat Girl
'Make Me Feel' - Janelle Monae
'Bells & Circles' - Underworld & Iggy Pop
Q Best Album
'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' - Arctic Monkeys
'Hunter' - Anna Calvi
'Who Built The Moon?' - Noel Gallagher
'Joy As An Act Of Resistance' - IDLES
'Marauder' - Interpol
'I'm All Ears' - Let's Eat Grandma
Q Best Live Act presented by The Cavern Club
David Byrne
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Liam Gallagher
Stefflon Don
Taylor Swift
Wolf Alice
Q Best Solo Artist presented by Absolute Radio
Christine & The Queens
Drake
Noel Gallagher
Janelle Monae
Ed Sheeran
Sophie
Q Best Act In The World Today presented by Rocksteady Music School
The 1975
Arctic Monkeys
Florence & The Machine
Kendrick Lamar
St Vincent
Paul Weller
Q Best Festival/Event presented by Pretty Green Clothing
All Points East
British Summertime
Isle Of Wight Festival
Latitude Festival
RIZE Festival
Spotify Presents: Who We Be
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