Announcing the winners of IMX 2025!

On Sunday, 14 December 2025, the Imagine Music Experience (IMX) International Final lit up Le Botanique in Brussels, with outstanding young musicians from 8 countries for an unforgettable night of live music, creativity, and connection.

After 3 days of intense workshops, rehearsals, jams, and shared moments in the capital of Europe, the IMX finalists took to the stage to showcase the result of their artistic journeys — each act bringing a unique sound, story, and energy shaped by their local scenes and personal experiences.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

After an evening filled with powerful, original performances, the jury had the tough task of crowning the IMX 2025 winners. Here are the results:

1ST PLACE: CRIMSON BULLET GENERATION (BELGIUM)

The local band claimed the top spot at the final with a fearless, genre-blurring performance. Fusing cello with heavy guitars, driving rhythms and deeply expressive vocals, they delivered a set full of contrast, emotion and raw intensity. Their ability to shift between moods while staying unmistakably themselves convinced both jury and audience — marking them as a bold new voice ready to go far beyond the IMX stage.

2ND PLACE: KODACHROME (UK)

With their explosive energy and theatrical stage presence, Kodachrome delivered an incredible performance that was impossible to ignore. Their ability to turn every song into a story — combining rock, funk, soul, and theatre — earned them a well-deserved second place and left a lasting impression on both jury and audience. Not bad for the first ever representatives of the UK at Imagine!

3RD PLACE: EDIACARAN (SWEDEN)

Ediacaran captivated the room with a bold and unconventional sound, merging elements of chamber music, progressive rock, and experimental jazz. Their unique instrumentation and rich vocal harmonies showcased remarkable musical maturity, securing them a strong third place in this year’s International Final.

PUBLIC CHOICE PRIZE : KORKA (NORTH MACEDONIA)

The crowd also had their say on Sunday — and they spoke loudly with over 3.200 people tuning in to vote! Korka from North Macedonia took home the Public Choice Prize, winning over audiences with their raw energy, noisy riffs, and unapologetic alternative sound. Their intense performance resonated strongly with viewers both in the room and online.

SPECIAL PRIZES

• Amalgam (France) received the Muzeikgieterij Prize, including a performance at the world famous Muziekgeiterij in Maastricht, The Netherlands with travel, accommodation and a recording session covered!
  
• Kodachrome (United Kingdom) also received the National Lottery Prize, which included of a 250€ voucher to catch a concert of their choice at the AB in Brussels as well as a Lottery goodie bag!

MORE THAN A COMPETITION

While the International Final is the moment the bands take the stage, the Imagine Music Experience goes far beyond the competition itself. During their time in Brussels, the musicians spent several days learning, sharing, and growing together through a series of hands-on workshops led by inspiring artists and professionals. Imagine is all about giving a platform for young musicians from around the world to connect, grow and do their music, their way.

The musician’s workshop programme kicked off by bringing everyone together through music itself, with vocal and group sessions focused on connection, expression, and getting to know one another across cultures. From there, the artists were invited to think long-term about their journeys, taking part in workshops on building a sustainable musical roadmap and navigating life as a young artist in today’s industry.

Equally important were the conversations that happened off-stage. The musicians explored topics such as mental health and wellbeing, discussing how to take care of themselves in a demanding creative environment, as well as sessions addressing gender imbalance and representation in the music industry, opening up space for honest dialogue, reflection, and shared experiences.

Between workshops, rehearsals, interviews, jam sessions, and plenty of shared meals, the experience created a unique environment where artists could learn from professionals, connect with peers from around the world, and feel supported both creatively and personally. Because at Imagine, it’s not just about who wins — it’s about growing together.

A GLOBAL AUDIENCE

This year’s International Final reached far beyond the walls of Le Botanique. The event welcomed a full house at Le Botanique, and over 4,000 viewers tuned in via the livestream, making IMX 2025 a truly international celebration of the next generation of music. From Brussels to homes across Europe, and beyond, audiences came together to discover fresh music and support these fantastic young talents. The IMX International Final 2025 once again showcased the power of music to connect, inspire, and empower young people across cultures. As the lights dimmed on the stage at Le Botanique, the journey for these musicians was only just beginning…

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all participating artists, jury members, workshop leaders, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who tuned in — you made IMX 2025 unforgettable.

Until next time — keep on imagining. 💭🫶🎸