Q Awards 2017 features first-ever longlist

The voting system for the 2017 Q Awards in association with Absolute Radio features the first-ever longlist to help select the nominees. The general public can now vote from the seven categories compiled by the staff at Q magazine of acts they've supported throughout the year. Music fans have until Monday August 31 with the awards nominees shortlist announced on September 7. This year sees Ed Sheeran, 26, left out of the Best Album category for his chart-smashing album 'Divide', however, he's listed for Best Act in the World Today, Best Track for 'Shape of You', Best Solo Artist and Best Live Act. Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, 44, will go head-tohead with the biggest bands in the business for Best Track for 'Wall of Glass' and he's also up for Best Live Act and Best Solo Act. Speaking about the awards, Q editor Ted Kessler said: "From returning rock'n'roll icons to grime's mainstream breakthrough and Ed Sheeran's continued conquering of the pop landscape, it has been a brilliant year for music. This year's Q Awards are a reflection of that and it's shaping up to be one of the events of the year. The newly-created longlists mean that voters will play a crucial role in helping to shape our shortlists, and live performances on the night from Sleaford Mods, one of the UK's most exciting live bands, and Manic Street Preachers, who have a long and illustrious history with Q, will cap off what promises to be another outstanding Q Awards." The ceremony will take place on October 18 at Camden's Roundhouse and will see Absolute Radio's Christian O'Connell host the evening for the fourth consecutive year. Speaking about his return, O'Connell said: "It's an honor to host the Q awards again this year and it's great to see Liam Gallagher back and going head to head with the biggest bands in the industry. This could be the liveliest awards in years."