Macclesfield band and BMG recording artists Cassia have received the prestigious Reeperbahn Festival International Music Award, also known as ANCHOR.

Established in 2016, the award is an accolade for the most promising emerging musicians. Awarded every year in September at Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany, ANCHOR serves as a guide for fans and the music industry in search of the best new music and as a jump start for the nominated artists' international careers.

The 2022 Jury was comprised of renowned producer and music director for BMG’s Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream Tony Visconti, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Tayla Parx, Latin Grammy nominee, MTV EMA & MIAW Award-winner Pabllo Bitta, Pelle Almqvqvist (The Hives), Bil Kaulitz (Tokio Hotel), and Joy Denalane.

In 2022, Cassia released their eagerly anticipated second album, Why You Lacking Energy? via BMG. Rob Ellis (lead vocals/guitar), Lou Cotterill (bass), and Jake Leff (drums) self-produced the album in its entirety, after writing it while living together in Berlin during the pandemic. The result is a record that transcends genres, themes, and ideas.

With the release of their debut album Replica in 2019, Cassia became main-stage festival favorites and secured a live session at BBC Radio 1's Maida Vale studios. In the three years that followed, they've been collectively championed by Clara Amfo, Annie Mac and Jack Saunders, including two Hottest Record accolades on BBC Radio 1.

Cassia, whose live show has garnered them an AIM Award nomination for its magnitude, cementing their reputation as a first-class live act and Ones To Watch for 2022, are currently performing shows across the UK and Europe.