Beyonce, U2, Foo Fighters and Muse are battling it out to be named Headliner of the Year at the UK Festival Awards.

All acts who headlined festivals in the UK in 2011 are in the running for the trophy – including Linkin Park, Pulp The Eagles and Prince – and the public were urged to vote for their favourite as the awards were launched at the Red Bull Studios in London last night.

Pulp reformed for a run of festival shows across Europe this summer, including the Isle Of Wight Festival, Wireless, T in the Park, Reading and Leeds in the UK, and said they were spurred to reunite for their first shows since 2002 by the death of a friend who was close to the band.

Singer Jarvis Cocker said: “I think [the death] had a lot to do with it. You suddenly realise you can’t take things for granted.”

Guitarist Mark Webber added: “I always thought we’d do something together again eventually, but when he died, I realised we should maybe grasp that opportunity.”

Other categories in the awards include Best Breakthrough Artist, which has a shortlist including

Katy B, Wretch 32, The Vaccines, Viva Brother, Ed Sheeran and Anna Calvi, among others.

The Anthem of the Summer category has Jessie J’s `Price Tag’, Chase and Status’ `Blind Faith’, Pulp’s `Common People’, Foos Fighters’ ‘Rope’, Foster The People’s ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ and Friendly Fires ‘Hawaiian Air’, among other tracks.

Other categories at the awards include Best Overseas Festival, Best New Festival, Best Toilets, Best Family Festival and Best Line Up.

Winners will be announced at the UK Festival Awards ceremony which will take place at London’s Roundhouse venue on Tuesday, 15 November.

Public voting for the awards is open now, and fans can see shortlists and cast their vote at www.festivalawards.com