Alex Turner Made A Surprise Appearance At The Strat Awards

In a moment that stunned the 2025 Music Week Awards crowd, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner made a rare and unannounced appearance. So, all of it is to pay tribute to the band’s longtime manager, Ian McAndrew, who received the prestigious Strat Award this year.

Thus, on May 8 at the annual ceremony, they recognized McAndrew for his decades-spanning influence on the music industry. The award highlighted his role in shaping the Arctic Monkeys‘ rise from Sheffield indie darlings to global rock icons and guiding a roster of artists. Travis, Craig David, Royal Blood, Fontaines D.C., and acid-jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies are among them.

So, taking the stage to introduce McAndrew, Alex Turner delivered a brief but heartfelt introduction. “Good evening. Put your hands together for your 2025 Music Week Strat Award winner, the one and only, Mr Ian McAndrew,” Turner announced, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

McAndrew’s Response to The Form Welcome by Alex Turner

So, moved by the speech, McAndrew responded during his acceptance speech. Thus, it reveals just how much of a surprise Turner’s appearance truly was. “It was a complete surprise. I had absolutely no idea that you were here,” he said, turning to Turner. “I thought you were at a place across the channel.”

The manager reflected on the beginnings of his spectacular career and the inspirations that shaped his path. Citing legendary figures like Brian Epstein, who steered The Beatles to superstardom. Also, he mentioned Tony Stratton Smith, founder of Charisma Records and manager of prog rock mainstays Genesis and The Nice,

“My journey in music management started here, at the Grosvenor House Hotel,” he recalled. “It was 1989, and I was 22 years old, and I was invited to attend the Ivor Novello Awards. George Michael, Dire Straits, the Bee Gees, and Paul McCartney – they were all here being honoured. But also here, wafting around the room like modern-day emperors, were the moguls, the hitmakers. This was the music business. I was curious, I was fascinated, and I was inspired.”

Thus, McAndrew’s surprise tribute from Alex Turner served as a full-circle moment—a testament to his legacy and the deep mutual respect between artist and manager. For fans and industry insiders alike, it was a rare, behind-the-curtain glimpse at the relationships that power some of the UK’s most influential music.