Red Stripe Music Award ’09 Winner Unveiled

Red Stripe Music Award ’09 came to a thrilling conclusion last night. Taking place at London’s HMV Forum, the final saw performances from London quirk-popper Gideon Conn, Bristol ska-punks First Degree Burns, Cornwall acoustic-melodist Ben Howard and London blues-rockers Philadelphia Mainline in front of an excited, sold-out crowd.

Shortly before headliners Gomez took to the stage, host Huw Stephens invited last year’s winner Klaus Says Buy The Record to announce Ben Howard as the winner. Clearly shocked, the singer-songwriter and his drummer stumbled on, Red Stripe in hand, to collect their prize. Howard will now go on to play The Great Escape and Lovebox festivals, as well as winning a truckload of gear from Merc and Fender.

Congratulations to Ben Howard, as well as a round of cyber-applause for the stellar sets from the other finalists. It’s been a long road to the final –read more of our Red Stripe Music Award coverage on our dedicated RSMA ’09 page…