The Heavy Music Awards were established in March  2017. Following the inaugural event, the HMAs have already become one of the most exciting events on the heavy music calendar. They shine spotlight on artists, producers, venues, festivals and designers whose talent deserves the attention of the wider world.

Finalists for the HMAs 2018 are set to be revealed at a launch event at Gorilla, Manchester on 25 April 2018, with the awards ceremony to be held on 23 August 2018 at KOKO London. Universe, Ticketmaster’s self-service ticketing platform, has  the exclusive Official Ticketing Partner of the Heavy Music Awards 2018, covering ticket services for both the HMAs at London’s KOKO and the April launch event at Manchester’s Gorilla.

Andrew Parsons, Managing Director, Ticketmaster UK says, “The Heavy Music Awards act as an annual meeting point for the whole metal and rock family, their support of the genre in live entertainment is vital to ensuring continued success for the industry as a whole.

“We are proud to ticket some of the greatest rock and metal events in the UK, from festivals such as Download, to full grassroot and arena tours for bands like Creeper  and Enter Shikari.

“Ticketmaster recently worked with Iron Maiden to deliver a credit-card entry tour across the UK, reducing the number of tickets appearing on secondary sites by more than 95%.

“Partnering with the awards is a great opportunity for Ticketmaster to hang out with the genre’s promoters, artists and fiercely loyal fans.”

The agreement represents the first time the Heavy Music Awards has welcomed an Official Ticketing Partner, and will see both brands working together to increase awareness of the HMAs’ finalists and winners throughout the year.

Iain Johnson, co-founder of the HMAs, said, “We are delighted to partner with Ticketmaster’s Universe for this year’s Heavy Music Awards for our events in both Manchester and London.

“The Ticketmaster team is clearly passionate about finding ways to take heavy music to a wider, global audience, which tallies up with our own philosophy and long-term plans.

“Having the largest ticketing company in the world involved with the Heavy Music Awards is another sign of this wonderful scene receiving the respect it deserves.”