The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards have unveiled their 2026 shortlist, highlighting some of the most memorable imagery from the global music scene. From the high-energy chaos of the Oasis reunion tour to Charli XCX’s symbolic conclusion of her “Brat” era at Glastonbury, the selected works capture the industry’s most significant cultural touchstones.
This year’s competition drew more than 24,500 entries from 42 countries, with judges narrowing the field to 40 finalists across eight categories. Head judge and photographer Rankin described the 2026 selection as the strongest in the awards’ five-year history, noting that the entries were not only technically proficient but also deeply emotive and full of character.
Exhibition and Voting Details
- Exhibition Dates: 8 to 14 September
- Venue: LED tunnel at Outernet London
- Voting: Available online via the official Music Photography Awards and Abbey Road Studios websites, as well as in person at the exhibition
- Awards Ceremony: 24 September at Abbey Road Studios
The ceremony will take place at the historic London studios, famously associated with The Beatles’ 1969 album. Beyond the competitive categories, the event will honor photographers Roberta Bayley and Masayoshi Sukita with special recognition. The judging panel features a diverse group of industry professionals, including producer Nile Rodgers and singer Raye.
Selected Nominees and Categories
The shortlist features a wide range of subjects, from intimate portraits to massive festival crowds. Notable entries include
- Music Moment of the Year: Joshua Halling’s capture of an Oasis fan amidst the swirling crowd at Buenos Aires’ River Plate stadium; Jack Oliver’s shot of Charli XCX burning the “Brat” flag at Glastonbury.
- Live Music: Harriet Bols’ image of Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing an off-mic moment at Wembley Stadium; Charlie Barclay Harris’s shot of Fontaines DC performing in Ireland.
- Emerging Photographer: Frances Carter’s sunset portrait of Billie Marten on horseback in New Zealand; Bryce Glenn’s portrait of musician Sombr at a piano.
- Behind the Scenes: Lewis Evans’ image of the band Geese clearing their studio space.
- Portrait: Daniel Rojos’ fisheye shot of The OGM from HO99O9.
- Festivals: Danny North’s photo of a human pyramid at Download Festival.
- General Highlights: Jenn Devereaux’s capture of Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl halftime show.
A special guest category has been introduced this year to commemorate 50 years of punk, featuring historical documentation such as Wayne Spike Large’s 1979 photograph of punks in Leicester. Additionally, several images, including those of FKA Twigs, have been selected for non-competitive judges’ awards to further celebrate the breadth of contemporary music photography. The report also notes that all of the finalist photographs will go on display in the LED tunnel at entertainment complex Outernet London from 8 to 14 September. The report also notes that these will include the five pieces picked out for consideration in the fan-voted music moment of the year award. The report also notes that the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London studios – made famous by the 1969 Beatles album of the same name – on 24 September. The report also notes that head judge, British photographer and director Rankin, said 2026 “feels like the strongest year yet” for the awards, which began five years ago. The report also notes that but full of energy, emotion and a real point of view, the quality of the work entered was genuinely exceptional – not just technically brilliant. The report also notes that chaotic movement of the River Plate stadium crowd in Buenos Aries, Argentina, during their 2025 comeback tour, image: A single Oasis fan caught in the middle of the swirling.
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