Liam Gallagher’s tambourine grin and Charli XCX says bye to Brat – Music Photography Awards 2026 shortlist

Liam Gallagher's tambourine grin and Charli XCX says bye to Brat – Music Photography Awards 2026 shortlist. Image source, Lewis EvansImage caption, This image of Liam Gallagher facing Oasis fans at Wembley is nominated in the live music categoryByPaul GlynnCulture reporterPublished8 September 2026, 00:01 BSTStriking images of Oasis's reunion tour and Charli XCX bringing Brat to Glastonbury Festival are among the nominees at this year's Abbey Road Music Photography Awards.

What happened

Image source, Jack OliverImage caption, Jack Oliver's snapshot of Charli XCX burning down the Brat flag at Glastonbury Festival, to signal the end of an era, is also up for best music momentHead judge, British photographer and director Rankin, said 2026 "feels like the strongest year yet" for the awards, which began five years ago. Here are some more of the eye-catching nominees:Image source, Harriet T K BolsImage: Liam (right) and Noel Gallagher of Oasis sharing a moment on stage but off mic during their band's penultimate Wembley Stadium show of their 2025 comeback tourAward category: Music moment of the yearPhotographer: Harriet T K BolsImage source, Joshua HallingImage: A single Oasis fan caught in the middle of the swirling, chaotic movement of the River Plate stadium crowd in Buenos Aries, ArgentinaCategory: Music momentPhotographer: Joshua HallingImage source, Lewis EvansImage: The New York band Geese pictured clearing out their studio space ahead of a photo shootCategory: Behind the scenesPhotographer: Lewis EvansImage source, Daniel RojosImage: A fisheye portrait of The OGM, one half of the group HO99O9, smiling while displaying his custom grillCategory: PortraitPhotographer: Daniel RojosImage source, Jenn DevereauxImage: Surrounded by performers in red, white and blue, forming the US flag, Kendrick Lamar takes centre stage at the Super Bowl halftime showCategory: Music momentPhotographer: Jenn DevereauxImage source, Frances CarterImage: Yorkshire singer-songwriter Billie Marten riding a white horse in Aotearoa, New Zealand at sunsetCategory: Emerging photographer of the yearPhotographer: Frances CarterImage source, Danny NorthImage: Metal fans at Download Festival form a human pyramid on the campsiteCategory: FestivalsPhotographer: Danny NorthImage source, Charlie Barclay HarrisImage: Fontaines DC rocking out at a festival in their native Ireland, opposite a ferris wheel.

The photo was taken as part of Rolling Stone magazine's coverage of the festival, which celebrates queer talent and gay iconsCategory: Judges' awardPhotographer: Sacha LeccaRelated topicsPhotographyMusicPortrait photographyMore on this storySee stunning shots of Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Doja Cat up for music photo awardPublished10 September 2025 "He added: "Music photography is in a really exciting place right now, and these awards are a brilliant snapshot of that. Nominees for the Abbey Road awards captured some of the past year's best moments in music.

The awards, which this year considered works by more than 24,500 submissions from 42 different countries, released a shortlist of 40 finalists across eight categories on Tuesday. The judging panel includes artists from around the worlds of music and photography, including Chic guitarist and producer Nile Rogers and Brit Award-winning singer Raye.

The wider picture

What a ride it has been for the band, who also headlined Reading and Leeds this yearCategory: Live musicPhotographer: Charlie Barclay HarrisImage source, Jessie MorganImage: Phoebe Lunny of Brighton band Lambrini Girls jumping backwards from the top of speakers and down into a sea of hands held aloft in the crowd to catch herCategory: Music momentPhotographer: Jessie MorganImage source, Bryce GlennImage: US singer-songwriter Sombr playing (or should that be resting his hands on) a piano backwards while looking directly into the cameraCategory: Emerging photographerPhotographer: Bryce GlennImage source, Wayne Spike LargeImage: Punks with Dolly and Harriet, featuring Ian Anderson who became the singer with Crazyhead, and Robber Byker who went on to be the bass player with Gaye Bykers on Acid.

The likes of Kendrick Lamar, Fontaines DC, Tame Impala and Sombr also feature in the shots, while other images of stars including FKA Twigs have been selected – out of competition – for judges' awards. These will include the five pieces picked out for consideration in the fan-voted music moment of the year award. "This year's guest category celebrates 50 years of punk. Taken in Leicester in 1979Category: 50 years of punkPhotographer: Wayne Spike LargeImage source, Caity KroneImage: Kevin Parker of Tame Impala has a moment of blissful solitude on the low-lit set of the music video for his track LoserCategory: Behind the scenesPhotographer: Caity KroneImage source, Suzanne PhoenixImage: Australian punk rock band Private Function playing one of their last gigs at a party on Gold Street, Melbourne.

All of the finalist photographs will go on display in the LED tunnel at entertainment complex Outernet London from 8 to 14 September. Voting is available online via the official website, external, and in person at the exhibition. 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.

What has been reported

"The quality of the work entered was genuinely exceptional – not just technically brilliant, but full of energy, emotion and a real point of view. It was previously announced that photographers Roberta Bayley and Masayoshi Sukita will both receive special recognition on the night. Chris Penney can be seen diving into the backyard crowdCategory: Underground scenesPhotographer: Suzanne Phoenix Image source, Jamie WdziekonskiImage: An upside down shot of Amyl and the Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor crowd surfing the very low ceilings of Soda Bar in San Diego in 2019Category: 50 years of punkPhotographer: Jamie WdziekonskiImage source, Gabrielle RavetImage: FKA Twigs and her dancers letting out a collective primal scream while headlining the LadyLand Festival at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn.