Photography: Megan Doherty, 2022 Championing Scenes winner

Tribes, vibes, stories, scenes. Shining a light on grassroots movements & the photographers documenting subcultural music scenes around the world. Take a shot that champions music subculture in 2022, then take a shot at the Underground Music Scenes Award.

Music goes beyond a song or the artists that perform it. It’s a catalyst for the communities who embody its spirit in venues and dancefloors across the globe. This category shines a spotlight on the importance of grassroots movements by celebrating photographers documenting underground music scenes around the world.

Simon Wheatley is invited as the guest judge for the Underground Scenes category. Acknowledged as one of the most influential UK photographers of the 21st century, Simon emerged as an authoritative chronicler of London’s youth culture with the publication of his book, DON’T CALL ME URBAN! The Time of Grime in 2010. Analysing the social dimensions that gave birth to the UK’s most important musical genre since punk, the mixture of music portraiture, reportage and architectural photography was immediately hailed as a classic.

Prize

The winner will receive a four week mentorship with Abbey Road Studios Photographer in Residence Simon Wheatley as well as being invited to photograph a recording session at Abbey Road Studios.