Universal Music Group and REVERB last night announced boygenius are the recipients of the second annual Universal Music Group x REVERB Amplifier Award. The Grammy® nominated band comprised of Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers, were presented with the award by UMG Chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge; Interscope Geffen A&M Records CEO and Chairman, John Janick; Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO, Jody Gerson; and REVERB Co-founder, Adam Gardner at NeueHouse Hollywood during Billboard’s annual Power 100 event.
The award, which was introduced last year with inaugural awardee, Billie Eilish, recognizes artists best exemplifying the commitment to, and achievement of, measurable steps to reduce their environmental footprint and support of nonprofit causes through direct fan engagement at shows, online and beyond. It represents the expanded relationship between UMG and REVERB, a leading environmental nonprofit dedicated to working with musicians, festivals, venues, industry leaders and fans to reduce the footprint of music and take action on today’s most pressing environmental and social issues.
In presenting the award, Sir Lucian Grainge said, “I wanted to be here to highlight the importance of using our collective power for good. These three exceptional artists exemplify what that means and we wanted to honor them in this room to inspire all you powerful people to do the same. It’s my great honor to present boygenius with the second annual ‘Universal Music Group x REVERB Amplifier Award.’ This award is in recognition of artists who use their music, their reach and their actions to promote positive change for people and the planet. Julien, Lucy and Phoebe, you have inspired us through your music and your work and we are deeply proud to recognize you tonight.”
Receiving this award, boygenius said:
Lucy Dacus said, “We’re grateful to be receiving this award but we have the easiest jobs of anyone involved. In addition to PTM Foundation we worked closely with REVERB, The Ally Coalition and Calling All Crows to organize tabling for our fans, educate them about local and national organizations that work to defend LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access and environmental concerns.”
Julien Baker said, “We’re honored to receive this award and promise not to let us become complacent. We realize it’s useful to publicly acknowledge and recommit ourselves to these values.. and to draw attention to causes we care about. It should be important to everyone because it’s for everyone’s wellbeing.. the perceived scarcity of a persons impact does not increase or diminish your individual responsibility to act each day in a way that protects or makes more equitable the world we inhabit together.”
Phoebe Bridgers said, “I know all three of us have been made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe at concerts when we were kids or in work environments later when we were making music ourselves so it was cool to have Calling All Crows to come and do a demonstration on how to spot and stop sexual harassment and violence whether you see it in the crowd or within your own crew. It’s really cool to now extend the power and privilege we have to others. We try to create an environment that we would’ve benefitted from as kids. Hopefully someday everyone’s doing this and no one is getting awards.”
