Three British music legends – Jamie Cullum, Rebecca Ferguson and Omar Lye-Fook – are set to judge a new international music prize, hosted by Jools Holland and launched by beloved London live music restaurants Boisdale.
Entries for the Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize 2027 are open to all musicians and bands aged 18+ across the UK and internationally and will close on 22 November 2026. 50% of proceeds from submissions will go to War Child UK, a specialist charity supporting children whose lives have been devastated by war, with mental health services, protection, education and immediate aid.
A live London final and gala dinner, hosted by Jools Holland, will take place with ten, finalists at Boisdale of Canary Wharf on 1 February 2027. The evening will also feature a silent auction, which organisers hope will raise more than £500,000 for War Child UK.
Jools Holland said: “I’ve been proud to introduce some incredible emerging talent on Later… From Amy Winehouse and Adele to KT Tunstall and Seasick Steve. This competition gives me the opportunity to help discover musicians from the UK and beyond. It’s so important that we back British live music and undiscovered talent. I can’t wait to hear the entries and give new musicians a rare opportunity to become global touring artists in their own right too.”
Jamie Cullum said: “There’s something special about hearing a new artist for the first time. I’m excited to hear the entries to the Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize. What makes this even more special, is that the winner will record at Abbey Road Studios. Abbey Road has felt magical every time I’ve recorded there. It really is music’s hallowed ground, so I’m excited that this competition will give a new artist the opportunity to record there.”
Omar Lye-Fook MBE said: “I remember my breakthrough moment as one of the most exciting times in my life. I’m looking forward to being part of the start of a new musician’s journey with the Boisdale & Xerjoff Original Music Prize.”
Rebecca Ferguson MBE said: “As someone whose own talent was discovered through a talent competition, I feel I have the experience and empathy to understand what it means to stand on that stage and take that leap. I’m delighted to be part of what should be a wonderful and exciting evening, raising funds for such a worthy cause. I’m really looking forward to meeting and judging the incredible talent, and to working alongside an amazing panel whom I greatly admire.”
To enter the Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize, musicians should upload a filmed performance of an original song, alongside an artist biography and images, at www.originalmusicprize.com by 22 November 2026. Approved entries video and bio will be published on the Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize website, with public voting opening on 30 November 2026. Three public voting rounds will narrow the field to 20 artists, joined by judges’ picks, before the judging panel selects ten finalists to perform at Boisdale Canary Wharf on 1 February 2027, where the winner will be crowned.
Boisdale has been staging live music every night for 27 years, over the years the Boisdale & Xerjoff Music Awards winners have included Raye, Joss Stone, Gregory Porter, Suzi Quatro, Ocean Colour Scene, Kathy Sledge, and Emeli Sandé.
Entry to the Prize costs £20, with £10 from every submission donated to War Child to support children affected by conflict. Following applications, a public voting stage will give music fans a say in the talent taking part.
War Child UK works with children affected by conflict in over 13 countries around the world including Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, providing them with the skills they need to rebuild their futures and recover from the traumas inflicted by war.
This Prize sees Boisdale team up with luxury Italian perfume house Xerjoff. Sergio Momo, the founder of Xerjoff, is a passionate supporter and performer of live music and has created fragrances in collaboration with music icons including Duran Duran and Tony Iommi.
Xerjoff founder Sergio Momo said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with Boisdale and Yamaha Music London to launch this Prize. As businesses we should be at the forefront of supporting original, unsigned live music.”
The Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize is on a mission to create opportunities for unsigned songwriting musicians who are passionate about performing live across the UK. At a challenging time for the UK’s live music industry, Boisdale, Yamaha Music and Xerjoff are determined to support emerging live musicians with this Prize.
Stephen Davies managing director of Yamaha Music London said: “We are delighted to be supporting Boisdale and Xerjoff on this great endeavour to find new original musical talent in aid of War Child.”
Boisdale of Canary Wharf, where the Boisdale Xerjoff Original Music Prize will be hosted, brings together Scottish-led dining, one of London’s leading live music scenes and late-evening culture within a palatial two-floor atmospheric Art Deco venue overlooking Cabot Square and the London skyline. The space includes the grand restaurant with world class live shows and performances, four private dining rooms, the Drambuie Bar and Garden Terrace, one of the finest whisky and spirits list in the world, an award-winning wine list and a Cuban cigar library and shop.
Ranald Macdonald, founder of Boisdale, said: “Live music has always been at the heart of Boisdale. We’ve spent decades bringing extraordinary musicians to our stages, and we know how much talent there is still waiting to be heard. With this prize, we want to give original artists more than a night in the spotlight: the backing, opportunities and support to take their music further, while raising funds for War Child.”
