Peer Awards

The FoCoMA Peer Awards will take place at The Armory in 2026. Join us for a night celebrating the accomplishments of the Northern Colorado Music Scene. Featuring live performances To Be Announced soon! 

Did you know The Peer Awards started before FoCoMX? In fact, the first festival was born out of a desire to see the bands that were nominated for this annual award show. That was 19 years ago! Today, the FoCoMA Peer Awards are an annual event that continues to recognize and celebrate the achievements of local musicians and music industry professionals. These awards are unique in that they are voted on by music peers from across the Northern Colorado Music Scene. The Peer Awards not only honor exemplary talent and artistry, but also promote a sense of community and camaraderie in our music scene. 

Peer Awards 2024

Best Venue 2024 - The Atrium Bar & Lounge
Best Sound Engineer / Production 2024 - Daphne Strickland
Best Artwork / Use of Visuals 2024 - The Crooked Rugs
Coolest Collaboration 2024 - Endless Fest
Best New Album 2024 - Bitchflower "Please Don't Be Evil to Me"
Best New Band / Artist 2024 - Dead Pioneers
Best New Video 2024 - Sound of Honey "City”
Best Live Performance 2024 - The Last Waltz Again
Best Stage Presence 2024 - Jesus Christ Taxi Driver
Best Established Band / Artist 2024 - The Burroughs
Song of the Year 2024  - clementine "Plastic Smile"
Fort Collins Music Achievement Award 2024 - In The Whale
Fort Collins Music Community Award 2024 - Julie Sutter
Fort Collins Music Community Award 2024 - Choice City Stomp

Peer Awards 2023 

Best Venue - The Lyric
Best Sound Engineer - Andrew Waltman
Coolest Music Collaboration - 53:14 Music Video Experiment
Best Established Band/Artist - Cary Morin
Best New Album - Lick My Soul by Jesus Christ Taxi Driver
Best New Band/Artist - juney
Song of the Year - Sugar Mom by Schama Noel
Best Creative Stage Presence - Graham Good & The Painters
Best New Video - Jesus Christ Taxi Driver / Diabolical Catholic
Best Live Performance - The Burroughs - Intergalactic Get Down with iZCALLi
Fort Collins Music Achievement Award - The Crooked Rugs
Fort Collins Music Community Award - Jamal Skinner

Peer Awards 2019

Fort Collins Music Achievement Award - Michael Kirkpatrick
Fort Collins Music Community Award - Cloverlick Banjo Shop (Rooster)
Best Acoustic/Folk/Americana - Whippoorwill
Best Alternative - Slow Caves
Best Avant Garde - Hyzenborg
Best Bluegrass - Woodbelly
Best Blues - Cary Morin
Best Country/Alt Country - Sugar Britches
Best Cover/Tribute - Guerrilla Radio
Best DJ - TIE BETWEEN 2Scoops AND Full Metal
Best Electronic - Skydyed
Best Funk - Euforquéstra
Best Hip Hop/Rap - Write Minded
Best Indie - Post Paradise
Best Jam/Jamgrass - Graham Good & the Painters
Best Jazz/Swing - Mark Sloniker
Best Latin/World - Manabi Salsa Band
Best Metal/Hardcore - I Am the Owl
Best Punk - Plasma Canvas
Best Reggae/Ska - 12 Cents for Marvin
Best Rock - Bevin Luna
Best Singer Songwriter Female - Liz Barnez
Best Singer Songwriter Male - TIE BETWEEN Bethel Steele AND Jeff Finlin
Best Soul/R&B - The Burroughs
Best Youth - Grace Kuch
Best Album Released 2019 - Whippoorwill - The Nature of Storms
Best Band Name - Robert Shredford
Best Frontperson - Alysia Kraft - The Patti Fiasco
Best New Band 2019 - People in General
Best Performance 2019 - Whippoorwill - Album Release
Best Video 2019 - Whippoorwill - Cold Sound
Hardest Working Band - Whippoorwill
Best Local Music Media - KRFC
Best Recording Studio - The Blasting Room
Best Venue - Washington's
Best DIY Venue - ai

Peer Awards 2018

Fort Collins Music Achievement Award - SHEL
Fort Collins Music Community Award - Jason Livermore
Best Acoustic/Folk/Americana - Whippoorwill
Best Album Released 2018 - Baby Dragon by Bevin Luna
Best Alternative - Wire Faces
Best Avant Garde - Hyzenborg
Best Band Name - TIE between Robert Shredford and Sugar Britches
Best Bluegrass - Head for the Hills
Best Blues - Cary Morin
Best Country/Alt Country - Bonnie & the Clydes
Best Cover/Tribute - Guerrilla Radio
Best DIY Venue - Cloverlick Banjo Shop
Best DJ - TwoScoopS
Best Electronic - Skydyed
Best Frontperson - TIE between Alysia Kraft and Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Funk - Euforquestra
Best Hip Hop/Rap - Kind Dub
Best Indie - Stella Luce
Best Jam/Jamgrass - The Holler!
Best Jazz/Swing - Mark Sloniker
Best Latin/World - Manabi Salsa Band
Best Local Music Media (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.) - KRFC 88.9
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore - In the Whale
Best New Band 2018 - Sugar Britches
Best Performance 2018 - 3-WAY TIE between Maxwell Mudd, The Last Waltz Again, and Whippoorwill
Best Recording Studio - Stout Studios
Best Reggae/Ska - 12 Cents for Marvin
Best Rock - The Patti Fiasco
Best Singer Songwriter Female - Wendy Woo
Best Singer Songwriter Male - Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Soul/R&B - The Burroughs
Best Venue - Washington's
Best Video 2018 - I Am The Owl
Best Youth - Grace Kuch
Hardest Working Band - The Symbols

Peer Awards 2016

 Best Acoustic/Folk - Maxwell Hughes
Best Band Name - Boner
Best Bluegrass/Americana - Blue Gramma
Best Blues/Jazz - Cary Morin
Best CD Released 2016 - Maxwell mudd
Best Country/Alt Country - The Patti Fiasco
Best Cover/Tribute - Dead Floyd
Best Dressed Band - Maxwell Mudd
Best Electronic/DJ - DJ Avalon
Best Experimental/Noise - The Echo Chamber
Best FoCoMX Performance - Wire Faces
Best FoCoMX Venue - Aggie Theatre
Best Frontperson - Alycia Kraft
Best Hardest Working Band - Slow Caves
Best Hip Hop/Rap - Qbala
Best Indie/Alternative - TIE between Slow Caves and Stella Luce
Best Jam/Jamgrass - Von Stomper
Best Live Sound Engineer - Dean Curtis
Best Local Music Media Outlet (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.) - KRFC
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore - Chieftan
Best New Band of 2016 - Little Vicious
Best R&B/Funk/Soul - Mama Lenny & the Remedy
Best Reggae/Latin/World - Euforquestra
Best Rock/Pop - Wire Faces
Best Singer Songwriter Female - Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer Songwriter Male - TIE between Brent Cowles and Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Studio - The Blasting Room
Best Video of 2016 - Slow Caves
Lifetime Achievement Award - Tim Van Schmidt
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands) - Matt Mahern aka P-Mann

Peer Awards 2015

Best Acoustic/Folk - SHEL
Best Band Name - Velvet Rope
Best Bluegrass/Americana - Widow's Bane
Best Blues/Jazz - Cary Morin
Best CD Released in 2014 - Deadwood Saints
Best Country/Alt Country - Patti Fiasco
Best Cover/Tribute - Velvet Rope
Best Dressed Band - tie between Mama Lenny & the Remedy AND The Burroughs
Best Electronic/DJ - Miss Jaedha
Best Experimental/Noise - Pulled at Four Pins
Best FoCoMX Performance - Patti Fiasco
Best FoCoMX Venue - Hodi's Half Note
Best Frontperson - Alicia Kraft
Best Hip Hop/Rap - Qbala
Best Indie/Alternative - Stella Luce
Best Jam/Jamgrass - Von Stomper
Best Live Sound Engineer - Jeremy Grant
Best Local Music Media Outlet (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.) - KRFC
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore - Echo Chamber
Best New Band of 2014 - Slow Caves
Best R&B/Funk/Soul - Mama Lenny & the Remedy
Best Reggae/Latin/World - Euforquestra
Best Rock/Pop - Post Paradise
Best Singer Songwriter Female - Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer Songwriter Male - Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Studio - The Blasting Room
Best Video of 2014 - Wire Faces
Hardest Working Band - Qbala
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dave Beegle
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands) - Darren Radach

Peer Awards 2014

Best Acoustic/Folk    Maxwell Hughes
Best Band Name    DINOSORCERER
Best Blues/Jazz    Young Ancients
Best CD Released in 2013    Patti Fiasco
Best Country/Bluegrass/Americana    3 Twins
Best Cover/Tribute    Dead Floyd
Best Dressed Band    Widow's Bane
Best Electronic/DJ    WhiteCatPink
Best Experimental/Noise/Visual    The Echo Chamber
Best FoCoMX Performance    4 way tie between In The Whale, Magic Cyclops, Stella Luce, Wire Faces
Best FoCoMX Venue    Hodi's Half Note
Best Frontperson    Alicia Kraft
Best Hardest Working Band    Matt Skinner Band
Best Hip-Hop/Rap    Wasteland Hop
Best Indie/Alternative    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Live Sound Engineer    Jeremy Grant
Best Local Music Media Outlet (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.)    KRFC
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore    A.M. Pleasure Assassins
Best New Band of 2013    Ark Life
Best R&B/Soul/Funk    Mama Lenny and the Remedy
Best Rock/Pop    Wire Faces
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Studio    Blasting Room
Best Video of 2013    Maxwell Hughes
Best World/Reggae/Latin    12 Cents for Marvin
Lifetime Achievement Award    Cary Morin
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands)    Darren Radach

Peer Awards 2013

Best Acoustic/Folk    Maxwell Hughes
Best Band Name    BONER
Best Blues/Jazz    Adam Bodine Trio
Best CD Released in 2012    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Country/Bluegrass/Americana    Patti Fiasco
Best Cover/Tribute    Dead Floyd
Best Dressed Band    Tie between Widow's Bane and Mama Lenny and the Remedy
Best Electronic/DJ    Pretty Lights
Best Experimental/Noise/Visual    Christina the Hunn
Best FoCoMX Performance    In The Whale
Best FoCoMX Venue    The Aggie Theatre
Best Frontperson    Alicia Kraft
Best Hip-Hop/Rap    Qbala Music
Best Indie/Alternative    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Live Sound Engineer    Jeremy Grant
Best Local Music Media Outlet (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.)    KRFC
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore    A.M. Pleasure Assassins
Best New Band of 2012    Tie between Equally Challenged and Winchester Holiday
Best R&B/Soul/Funk    Mama Lenny and the Remedy
Best Rock/Pop    Wire Faces
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Michael Kirkpatrick
Best Studio    Stout Studios
Best Video of 2012    Tie between Shatterproof and Stella Luce
Best World/Reggae/Latin    12 Cents for Marvin
Hardest Working Band    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Lifetime Achievement Award    Hoss
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands)    Darren Radach

Peer Awards 2012

Best Acoustic/Folk    SHEL
Best Band Name    Boner
Best Blues/Jazz    Adam Bodine Trio
Best CD Released in 2011    The Patti Fiasco
Best Country/Bluegrass/Americana    The Holler!
Best Cover/Tribute    Dead Floyd
Best Dressed Band    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Electronic/DJ    Pretty Lights
Best Experimental/Noise/Visual    Christina the Hunn
Best FoCoMX Performance    Dead Floyd
Best FoCoMX Venue    Aggie Theatre
Best Frontperson    Jason Downing
Best Hip-Hop/Rap    Peace Officer
Best Indie/Alternative    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Live Sound Engineer    Dean Curtis
Best Local Music Media Outlet (Radio Station, Magazine, etc.)    KRFC
Best Metal/Punk/Hardcore    Allegaeon
Best New Band of 2011    Mama Lenny and The Remedy
Best R&B/Soul/Funk    Mama Lenny and The Remedy
Best Rock/Pop    Musketeer Gripweed
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Chad Price
Best Studio    Backbone Studio
Best World/Reggae/Latin    Euforquestra
Hardest Working Band Fierce Bad Rabbit

Peer Awards 2011

Best Alternative Rock    The Piggies
Best Avant-Garde    Good Old Fashioned Sinners
Best Band Name    Boner
Best Bluegrass    The Holler!
Best Blues    Jason Downing and Musketeer Gripweed
Best CD Released in 2010    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Classic Rock    Amplified Soul
Best Country/Alt Country/Americana    Arliss Nancy
Best Cover/Tribute    Dead Floyd
Best DJ (Dubstep/Drum&Bass)    Slim Fadey
Best DJ (HipHop/Scratch)    DJ Jimmy Hands
Best DJ (House/Techno/Electronica)    Ghrimm
Best DJ (Party/80s/Other)    Magic Cyclops
Best Electronica/Ambient    Candy Claws
Best Folk    Dovekins
Best Funk/Soul    The Nu Classics
Best Hard Rock    Give 'Er Hell
Best Hardcore    Fear the Vacuum
Best Hip Hop    Otem Rellik
Best Indie    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Jam    Good Gravy
Best Jazz    Adam Bodine Trio
Best Live Sound Engineer    Jason Larson
Best Local Radio Show    Live@Lunch
Best Merch    Magic Cyclops
Best Metal    Crow
Best Noise/Experimental    M.Pyres
Best Pop    Pep*Squad
Best Posters/Art    Candy Claws
Best Punk    Christina the Hunn
Best Reggae/Ska    Dubskin
Best Rock    Wire Faces
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Maxwell Hughes
Best Solo Instrumental    Dave Beegle
Best Studio    The Blasting Room
Best World    Euforquestra
Friendliest Band    Common Anomaly
Hardest Working Band (Tour Dates)    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Least Understood Band    Bourbon Toothpaste
Lifetime Achievement Award    Karl Alvarez
Sweetest Ride (Band Vehicle)    Motorhome
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands)    Jonathan Alonzo

Peer Awards 2010

Best Alternative Rock    The Piggies
Best Avant-Garde    Good Old Fashioned Sinners
Best Band Name    Boner
Best Bluegrass    Head For the Hills
Best Blues    Jason Downing and Musketeer Gripweed
Best CD Released in 2010    Songs About The Landscape Or Songs About The Wolf Army by sour boy, bitter girl
Best Classic Rock    Ben Pu and Crew
Best Country/Alt Country/Americana    Arliss Nancy
Best Cover/Tribute    Dead Floyd
Best DJ    Magic Cyclops
Best Electronica/Ambient    Candy Claws
Best Folk    Dovekins
Best Funk/Soul    The Grippe
Best Hard Rock    Give ’er Hell
Best Hardcore    Red Hour
Best Hip Hop    Otem Rellik
Best Indie    Fierce Bad Rabbit
Best Jam    Jonestown Potion
Best Jazz    Adam Bodine Trio
Best Live Sound Engineer    Jason Larson
Best Local Radio Show    Live@Lunch
Best Merch    Candy Claws
Best Merch    Pep*Squad
Best Metal    Crow
Best Noise/Experimental    M.Pyres
Best Pop    Pep*Squad
Best Posters/Art    Candy Claws
Best Punk    Rad Vibes
Best Reggae/Ska    Peace Officer
Best Rock    Wire Faces
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Jon Snodgrass
Best Solo Instrumental    Maxwell Hughes
Best Studio    Blasting Room
Best World    Euforquestra
Friendliest Band    Common Anomaly
Hardest Working Band (Tour Dates)    Paean
Least Understood Band    White Cat Pink
Lifetime Achievement Award    Rob Osborne
Sweetest Ride (Band Vehicle)    Pep*Squad
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands)   Jonathan Alonzo

Peer Awards 2009

Best Alternative Rock    The Piggies
Best Avant-Guarde    Good Old Fashioned Sinners
Best Band Name    Poo Poo Jenkins and Sex Glove (they tied exactly)
Best Bluegrass    Head For the Hills
Best Blues    Jason Downing and Musketeer Gripweed
Best CD Released in 2008    Allegaeon
Best Classic Rock    Slick Machine
Best Country/Alt Country/Americana    Arliss Nancy
Best Cover/Tribute    High Voltage
Best DJ    Magic Cyclops
Best Electronica/Ambient    Pretty Lights
Best Funk/Soul    The Caleb Riley Funk Orchestra
Best Hard Rock    Give 'er Hell
Best Hardcore    Fear the Vacuum
Best Hip Hop    Otem Rellik
Best Indie Rock    Stella Luce
Best Jam    Wasabi
Best Jazz    Mark Sloniker
Best Live Sound Engineer    Jason Larson
Best Local Radio Show    Live @ Lunch (on KRFC)
Best Merch    Magic Cyclops
Best Metal    Immortal Dominion
Best Noise/Experimental    M.Pyres
Best Pop    Tickle Me Pink
Best Posters/Art    Candy Claws
Best Punk    Bill the Welder
Best Reggae/Ska    Peace Officer
Best Rock    Wire Faces
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female)    Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male)    Jon Snodgrass
Best Solo Instrumental    Dave Beegle/Maxwell Hughes (they tied exactly)
Best Studio    The Blasting Room
Best World    Euforquestra
Friendliest Band    Common Anomaly
Hardest Working Band (Tour Dates)    Motorhome
Least Understood Band    WhiteCatPink
Lifetime Achievement Award    Bill Stevenson
Sweetest Ride (Band Vehicle)    Motorhome
Village Bicycle/Biggest Band Slut (Person in the Most Bands)    Brett Schreiber

Peer Awards 2008

Best Alternative Rock    The Piggies
Best Avant-garde    Good Old Fashioned Sinners
Best Bluegrass    Whitewater Ramble
Best Blues    Mojambus
Best Country / Alt. Country / Americana    Motorhome
Best Cover / Tribute Band    High Voltage
Best DJ    Magic Cyclops
Best Electronica    Pretty Lights
Best Funk / Soul    The Caleb Riley Funk Orchestra
Best Hard Rock    Give 'Er Hell
Best Hardcore    Fear the Vacuum
Best Hip Hop    Listen.
Best Indie Rock    The Jimi Austin
Best Jam    Wasabi
Best Jazz    Mark Sloniker
Best Metal    Immortal Dominion
Best Noise / Experimental Rock    Odd Socks
Best Pop    Tickle Me Pink
Best Punk    Bill the Welder
Best Reggae / Ska    12 Cents for Marvin
Best Rock Band    SoulFeel
Best Singer / Songwriter    Jon Snodgrass
Best Solo Instrumental / Vocal    Dave Beegle
Best World Music    Zonky Tonk Zydeco
Lifetime Achievement Award    John Magnie of The Subdudes