Abbey Road Music Photography Awards Announces 2026 Shortlist
The fifth edition of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards has announced its 2026 shortlist, drawn from more than 24,500 submissions across 42 countries. The awards ceremony is scheduled for September 24. Shortlisted images capture performers including Oasis, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar, Fontaines D.C., Geese, Florence + The Machine, FKA Twigs, Tame Impala and Amyl and the Sniffers.
Public voting now open for Music Moment of the Year
As reported by NME, Music Moment of the Year is the only category open to public vote, and voting is live now. Finalists include Harriet T K Bols' backstage shot of Oasis after their Wembley "Live '25" show, Jenn Devereaux's image of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance, and Jack Oliver's photo of Charli XCX burning a "brat" flag at Glastonbury.
The shortlisted works are on public display at Outernet London from 1:30pm on September 8 through September 14, with an in-venue voting screen for visitors. Jury chair Rankin described this year's entries as "full of energy," adding that narrowing each category down to five finalists was difficult.
The 2026 shortlist so far
Portrait: Frances Carter (Billie Marten), Jamie-Lee Culver (Aynjel), Wanda Martin (Billy Idol), Daniel Rojas / The OGM (Ho99o9), Manuel Vazquez (Warren Ellis)
Festivals (supported by DHL): Viktória Erdős (Palaye Royale), Danny North (Download Festival, Humans of Download), Giulia Spadafora (Glastonbury Festival — Audience), Ian Zandi (The Killing Floors), Jake Zaoutis (Hey, Nothing)
Music Moment of the Year (supported by Outernet London): Harriet T K Bols (Oasis), Jenn Devereaux (Kendrick Lamar), Joshua Halling (Oasis), Jessie Morgan (Lambrini Girls), Jack Oliver (Charli XCX)
Emerging Photographer of the Year (supported by adidas): Frances Carter (Gin Wigmore), Bryce Glenn (Sombr), Natalia Peralta (Nicholas y los fumadores), Dara Petrova (Techno rave Laboratorium), Isaac Wheatley (Mikael)
Behind The Scenes (supported by Abbey Road): Olly Bromidge (Matt Molotov), Sophie Buckley (Black Honey), Lewis Evans (Geese), Caity Krone (Kevin Parker)
The above reflects the shortlist details currently confirmed; for additional categories and finalist slots, readers should check official Abbey Road Music Photography Awards announcements. Other finalists include Tom Pallant (Yungblud), Charlie Barclay Harris (Fontaines D.C. live) and Jamie Wdziekonski (Amyl and the Sniffers).
Special honors: Roberta Bayley and Masayoshi Sukita
The ICON award goes to New York photographer Roberta Bayley, who documented the 1970s punk scene, photographing Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Debbie Harry and Blondie, Richard Hell, and the Sex Pistols.
The Lifetime Achievement award goes to Japanese photographer Masayoshi Sukita, who worked with David Bowie for 44 years and shot the cover of Heroes, alongside iconic images of Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan, Joe Strummer, Yellow Magic Orchestra and David Sylvian.