The wait is finally over for the biz – the shortlists are now in for the only music industry awards that matter. Today we reveal the nominees for the Music Week Awards 2018. It was a year of record entries – some of this year’s shortlists have been extended to accommodate the high-quality submissions – and there’s plenty of tough competition among the finalists in the 22 categories. The Music Week Awards take place on April 26 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. The highly prestigious Record Company award will see reigning champions Syco return to fight it out with Atlantic, Columbia, Polydor, Virgin EMI and Warner Bros. Meanwhile, in the hotly-contested Publisher Of The Year category, the three majors – Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing Group and Warner/Chappell – are up against indies BMG, Concord, Downtown, Reservoir, Sentric, Spirit B-Unique and reigning champs Kobalt. This year’s Manager Of The Year award will also be a heavyweight contest, with managers and management teams for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher, Rag’N’Bone Man, Skepta, Stormzy, Clean Bandit and Lana Del Rey all in the frame. Glastonbury Festival will be hoping to triumph again in the Festival Of The Year category – this year they will be up against British Summer Time Hyde Park, Download, Isle Of Wight Festival, Kendal Calling, Reading & Leeds and Wireless. Last year saw a series of impressive artist breakthroughs and strong international sales for UK releases, so there will be intense competition in the A&R Award category between the teams behind artists including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Rag’N’Bone Man and J Hus. The biggest award, The Strat – which recognises an outstanding contribution to the music business – will be announced on the night. Last year’s packed ceremony saw First Access Entertainment CEO Sarah Stennett honoured with the special award. The Music Week Awards now move into the judging phase, with winners decided