THE Yorkshire Gig Guide Grassroots awards take place in Bradford this weekend.

Bradford is well represented this year, with the Underground Open Mic, Ann Morgan BCB outdoor broadcasts, Shuttle Shuffle Festival, Bradford Dragon Boat Festival, Ben Buddy Slack, Jim de Barker, The Live Room Saltaire, Kings Arms, Haworth, Josh McDonald Al's Juke Bar Bradford, Matt Heap, Jam On Top, Keighley, Ben Buddy Slack Marie Curie Bradford, Bradford Blues Club, Night Train Bradford, Groovy Happening, Haworth and city band Rock Salt Acoustic all nominees.

The awards honour outstanding contributions to grassroots music across the county. Established in 2014, this year's awards received a record 1,400 nominations in 13 categories, including Songwriting, Media, Sound Engineer, Open Mic, Venue and Festival.

Nigel Booth owner of The Underground in Bradford, where tomorrow's ceremony takes place from 6pm, said: “I’ve been to the ceremony over the years and really enjoyed it, it’s great to host it in Bradford this year. It’s a thrill to me to showcase Bradford to Yorkshire’s grassroots music community."

Organiser Denis Heaton said the record number of nominations reflects the increasing influence and popularity of the grassroots music scene. “Yorkshire's music scene is alive and vibrant. This last year has seen some wonderful festivals and music events and a growing number of open mic clubs giving opportunities to new and established performers,” said Denis. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the outstanding work done throughout the county over the last year. Without the energy, enthusiasm and continued dedication of these unsung heroes, grassroots music in so many communities would not be possible."

Andrew Sugden, Yorkshire Gig Guide editor, added: “We recognise and honour champions of the grassroots movement - whether a venue, performer or promoter, sound engineer, fanzine or radio station, recording studio, music club or open mic gig; the awards celebrate those that make grassroots music happen week in, week out."

Finalists are identified through public nominations and voting and judged by a panel of grassroots activists.

For tickets go to romancart.com/Grassroots-Awards-2019