Nova Twins Wins Best Alternative Music Act at 2026 MOBO Awards

British rock duo Nova Twins have been crowned winners of the Best Alternative Music Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards, held on Thursday, March 26 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester

The award, presented as part of Europe’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, recognises the duo’s boundary-pushing sound that blends punk, grime, rock, and alternative elements. MOBO organisers highlighted their approach with the caption: “Pushing boundaries and doing it their way ” in the official announcement.

Amy Love (vocals and guitar) and Georgia South (bass) collected the gong in person at the star-studded ceremony, which marked the MOBO Awards’ first time in Manchester and part of the organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations. They beat strong competition from nominees including ALT BLK ERA, Blood Orange, Hak Baker, Michael Kiwanuka, and Rachel Chinouriri.

Nova Twins have long been trailblazers in the alternative scene. The London-based pair, formed in 2014, first gained widespread attention with their 2020 debut album Who Are the Girls?. Their 2022 follow-up, Supernova, earned critical acclaim, a Mercury Prize shortlisting, and two BRIT Award nominations. Their most recent release, Parasites & Butterflies (2025), continues to showcase their angsty, genre-defying style.

The duo played a role in creating the Best Alternative Music Act category itself. In 2020, they publicly campaigned for greater recognition of Black artists in alternative and rock music, helping lead to the category’s introduction. They were nominated in their debut year and have now won.

The 2026 ceremony, hosted by global hip-hop icon Eve and comedian Eddie Kadi, was live-streamed and featured performances and appearances from major names across Black music genres. Other winners on the night included Olivia Dean (who led with multiple awards), FLO for Best R&B/Soul Act, Central Cee for Best Hip-Hop Act, and Chip for Best Grime Act.

Nova Twins’ victory underscores the MOBO Awards’ mission to spotlight excellence in Black music while championing diversity across genres. The duo, known for their high-energy live shows and unapologetic fusion of sounds, continues to inspire a new generation of alternative artists.

Following the win, the pair are set to embark on European tour dates in the coming months.