One of the main awards has now been decided by you the audience. The winner will be announced at the Poll Winners concert in March. A huge thanks to all those who contributed. It was wonderful to see such a wide-ranging list of nominations (left) and the way so many of the musicians have touched your lives.
Here are the bands who were voted onto the final shortlist. Click on each name to read more about them and click on the 'listen' icon to hear a selected track from each band. A large selection of your comments can be found by clicking on the list to the left.
Gordon Stears:
'Every record they make bubbles over with new and different ideas, all the while sounding unmistakeably from Madagascar. They have exceptional vocal and multi-instrumental talent, strong political convictions and are fantastic live - what more can you ask for from a band?'