25 February 2027 | Hilton Park Lane, LONDON
The Arthur Awards – the most prestigious and highly anticipated annual awards of the global live music business – take place during ILMC week, with a broad music business audience in attendance.
Housed in a brand-new top-flight venue for 2027, the night sees 600 of the world’s top live music professionals – promoters, agents, venues, festivals, and more – come together as excitement builds, the winners are announced, and the golden statuettes are handed out.
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Three decades of celebrating excellence
The Arthur Awards began as a tongue-in-cheek affair in 1995 but have grown over three decades to become known as the Oscars of the international live music business.
The finalists in each category are shortlisted from thousands of votes received from fellow live industry professionals from across the globe. Once the shortlist in each category is announced, the winners are selected by an open vote of live music professionals in addition to a closed jury vote.
The 'Off the Charts' Gala Dinner
The evening begins with a champagne reception before the real spectacle begins: a five-star, four-course banquet from the Hilton’s award-winning chefs, complemented by fine wines, all with illustrious company.
As anticipation builds, the spotlight shifts to the Arthur Awards themselves: eleven categories, countless nominees, and only one victor in each. The 2027 Awards will be hosted by The Arthurs’ longstanding host and conductor extraordinaire, Ms Emma Banks.
Arthur Award Highlights
Dusan Kovacevic
Co-founder and CEO
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EXIT Festival
Dušan Kovačević is the co-founder and CEO of EXIT Festival, a multiple winner of the Best Major European Festival award at the European Festival Awards, and widely recognised by leading global media as one of the world’s premier music events.
Over the years, the EXIT organisation has grown into one of Europe’s leading independent event groups, producing more than 200 events across over 25 countries. In January 2026, EXIT was named Promoter of the Year at the European Festival Awards.
Founded 25 years ago as a student movement for peace and freedom opposing the regime of Slobodan Milošević, EXIT has remained true to its activist roots. Following its public support of recent student protests in Serbia, the organisation faced significant governmental backlash, ultimately leading to EXIT relocating its activities outside the country. Turning adversity into opportunity, EXIT launched a global tour concept, with landmark events spanning multiple European destinations and extending to iconic locations such as the Great Pyramids of Giza and India.
In 2021, Pollstar recognised Dušan as one of the most influential figures in the European live music sector, highlighting leaders who have “led, inspired, and advanced the live music industry.”
Dušan is also the founder of the EXIT Foundation, one of Southeastern Europe’s leading social impact organisations focused on youth development, peacebuilding, creative industries, environmental protection, and destination branding. The foundation has partnered with major international institutions including the United Nations World Food Programme, UN Tourism, and UNICEF. Its joint campaign “Life is Live” received the Take a Stand Award at the 2024 European Festival Awards.
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