The nominees for the inaugural Hype Awards have been announced, as have details of how you can be at the party and rub shoulders with the region’s music industry stars.

There’s no cheeky half measure with these awards. Hype are cutting through the corporate bull to shine the spotlight firmly on deserving nominees for the experiences they create and the parties they throw, regardless of budgets. Across 17 categories, the Hype Awards recognise the people and places that bring the region to life after dark.

No awards would be complete, of course, without an awards ceremony. But there will be no traditional stuffy black-tie affair, Hype will party in the way that YOU want to party on Wednesday April 23. After all, it’s you who makes the UAE’s music and nightlife scene and that’s why we want YOU at the Hype Awards.

You can register for two free passes to the awards ceremony at hypeawards.ae now. 

In the meantime, cast your eye of the categories and deserving nominees in all their glory. And to those detractors who say there’s nothing going on here in the UAE… well, look harder or leave.

Best DJ
Schooly
MACH4
Break DJ Lobito
Dany Neville
Smokingroove
Johnny Thornhill
Raxon
Tristan Bain
Frederick Stone
Siamak Amidi

Best Breakthrough DJ
DJ KaBoo
Somalie
Salar Ansari
Rishi
Miss P.M.

Best Band/Act
Hollaphonic
Juliana Down
The Boxtones
Nikotin
Hamdan Al Abri

Best Club
360° at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah
Mahiki at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah
People By Crystal at Raffles Hotel, Wafi
Cirque Le Soir at The Fairmont Hotel, DIFC
Rock Bottom, Ramee Rose Hotel, Tecom

Best Urban Night
No.1 Fridays at N’Dulge, Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah
Urban Chic at District Lounge, Capital Club, DIFC
Magnum Sundays at Boudoir, Dubai Marine Beach Resort
Hip Hop Chic Mondays at Cirque Le Soir, The Fairmont Hotel, DIFC
411 Nights at People By Crystal, Raffles Hotel, Wafi

Best House/Techno Night
Audio Tonic at 360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Analog Room at The Q Underground, Holiday Inn, Barsha
Electric Days at Tamanya Terrace, Radisson Blu, Media City
Plus Minus Sessions at Nasimi Beach, Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah
Groove On The Grass at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai

Best Bass/Breaks/Reggae/Funk Night
Globalfunk at The Music Room, The Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai
Deep Crates Cartel at Casa Latina, Ibis Hotel, Barsha
Bassworx at Casa Latina, Ibis Hotel, Barsha
Something Big at The Catwalk Club, Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha
Sunny Vibe Up at Dusk Terrace, Radisson Blu, Media City

Best Bar
Barasti at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina
Belgian Beer Café at Souk Madinat Jumeirah
The Dek On Eight at Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
McGettigan’s at Bonnington Hotel, Jumeirah Lake Towers
Aquara Lounge at Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai Marina

Best New Bar
Pure Sky Lounge at The Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Residence
Story Rooftop Lounge at Holiday Inn, Dubai Media City
Q43 at Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
40 Kong at The H Hotel, World Trade Centre
Izel at The Conrad Dubai, DIFC

 

Best Beach Venue
Blue Marlin at Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel, Dubai
Barasti at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina
XL Beachclub at Habtoor Grand, Dubai Marina
Nasimi Beach at Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah
Meydan Beach Club at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence

Best New Club
White Dubai at The Meydan Hotel, Meydan
Supperclub Dubai at Zabeel Saray, The Palm, Jumeirah
2Liv at Sofitel The Palm, Jumeirah
Ego Urban Lounge at Boutique 7 Hotel, Tecom
Societe at Marina Byblos Hotel, Dubai Marina

Best Live Venue
The Music Room at The Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai
Jazz Nights at Pizza Express, Mövenpick Hotel, JLT
McGettigan’s at Bonnington Hotel, JLT
The Irish Village at Century Village, Garhoud
Barasti at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina

Best Ladies’ Night
Pink Ladies at Mahiki, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah
Aquara Lounge at Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai Marina
Oeno at The Westin, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, Jumeirah Beach Resort
High Societe at Marina Byblos Hotel, Dubai Marina
Embassy Empress at Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina

Best Producer
Raxon
Schooly
Smokingroove
Altitude
Megadon Betamax

Best Concert
Rolling Stones at du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Texas at The Irish Village, Garhoud
Jay Z at du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Alicia Keys at DMC Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City
Bruno Mars at DMC Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City

Best Festival
Sandance at Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah
Dubai Jazz Festival at Festival Park, Dubai Festival City
Creamfields at du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
RedfestDXB at DMC Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City
Live @ Atlantis at Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah

Outstanding Contribution
Greg Dufton & Tim Derry, Think
Nik Lall & Satyen Choksi, OHM Events
Mike Bufton, Audio Tonic
Charl Chaka, Infusion
Kit Kheedo, No.1 Events