THE 2012 WHALIE AWARDS

The Whalie Awards are New London's equivalent of the Grammys. A full-scale awards show with big performances, loud fashion and, of course, the red carpet! It is a night to celebrate local music - over 100 bands and artists from New London county and beyond are nominated. This year’s event will feature special performances by The Fly Ones, The Weird Beards, Daphne Lee Martin & Raise the Rent, Pocket Vinyl and more.  The event is the kickoff for the summer season at the Hygienic Art Park and is the major fundraiser in support of I AM Festival which returns this year for its sixth installment on September 8th.  

The Whalie Awards, though extremely tongue-in-cheek from an outside standpoint, have become more than just a night where musicians and fans get together, walk down a red carpet, drink (heavily) and enjoy an event that is unique to New London. They have become a gauge of sorts - a telling look at what our area's music scene has accomplished and where it's going for the next year.

Just look at the number of nominees throughout the first three years. In 2010, there were roughly 65 nominees. There were about 75-80 nominees in 2011, and this year, we blew that away, with over 100 nominated bands and artists!