YUNGBLUD’s manager Tommas Arnby has been crowned International Music Manager of the Year at the 2026 MUSEXPO & A&R Worldwide Awards Gala in Burbank, California. The honour recognises his pivotal role in guiding the musician’s global success and his progressive, artist-first approach to management.
Held annually in the heart of the “Media Capital of the World,” MUSEXPO brings together influential figures from across the global music industry. Arnby’s award highlights his vision in bridging creativity and business, and his commitment to empowering artists to evolve on their own terms.
Reflecting on his journey and philosophy, Arnby said: “Everything that works in the music industry is always one degree of separation from failure. The UK music industry should be more about believing the impossible is possible. Great artists need to be empowered to evolve over time rather than being judged by the commercial results immediately.”
Arnby is the founder of Locomotion (Music, Entertainment, and Recordings) and the Co-Founder and CEO of Special Projects. Having started his career as a musician in the DreamWorks-signed band Subcircus, he maintains a creator-centric perspective that informs his management style. His career in A&R at Sony Music saw him work alongside legendary names including David Bowie, while helping to develop artists such as Beth Hart.
The award win arrives at a landmark time for both Arnby and YUNGBLUD. The artist—who recently became the first British act to earn three Grammy nominations in the Rock category in a single year—is preparing to kick off an 11-date sold-out UK arena tour this April. Meanwhile, YUNGBLUD’s own festival, Bludfest, is expanding into Europe for 2026 following its UK debut last summer.
YUNGBLUD’s recent achievements include winning the Grammy for Best Rock Performance, scoring two UK Number 1 albums in 2025, and breaking into both the Billboard Top 10 and the Billboard Rock & Alternative chart top spot. His continued global success underscores the impact of Arnby’s creative leadership and long-term vision for artist development.
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