Real Friends, Architects Snag peta2 Awards

Pop-Punk and Metal Bands Triumph Over AFI, Like Moths to Flames, and Other Artists to Land Top Honors in This Year’s ‘Libby’ Awards

For Immediate Release:
December 18, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

For all of their efforts to promote animal rights all year long through tours and promotions with peta2, U.K. metal band Architects and Chicago pop-punk band Real Friends have both won titles in the eighth annual Libby Awards from peta2, PETA’s youth division. “Libby” is short for “liberation”—as in animal liberation.

The all-vegan Architects—whose extensive collection of peta2 shirts called attention to a slew of animal rights issues throughout nonstop touring—landed the title of Most Animal-Friendly Band thanks to the band’s hard-hitting “Liberate Yourself. Go Vegan” ad. And Real Friends—including vegetarian vocalist Dan Lambton—jumped into the animal rights scene with both feet this year, from video performances and interviews with peta2 on how easy it is to eat vegetarian to exclusive tour content such as peta2 ticket giveaways and “Stand Up for Animals” posters, earning them the award for peta2 Breakthrough Artist.

“More than ever, young people want to know that their favorite musicians care as much about animals as they do—and Architects and Real Friends use every opportunity they have to spread the word about how all of us can help animals,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “All of peta2’s nominees prove that today’s celebrities are glad to use their star power to speak up for animals.”

Also up for Architects’ award were Stick To Your Guns, Tonight Alive, and AFI, while Real Friends faced tough competition from Like Moths to Flames, Allison Weiss, and William Beckett. Other Libby winners this year include rapper T. Mills, who took home the award for Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist.

Twenty-six Libby Awards will be given out this year, recognizing everything from the best cruelty-free cosmetics company to peta2’s favorite animal-friendly celebrities. Winners were chosen by peta2 based on several factors, including vote count, and each winner will receive a personalized certificate and yearlong bragging rights.

For more information about the winners, please visit peta2.com/Libbys.