Sticky Carpet

KUTCHA EDWARDS' BIG WIN

The judges summed it up when they announced Kutcha Edwards as the winner of this year's $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Music on Wednesday night, saying his "outstanding contribution to Australian music speaks for itself". As well as releasing four albums since 2001, Edwards has staged two theatre productions and his reflections on life as an Aboriginal man, told by fusing soulful music with his powerful voice, have been responsible for "enriching cultural and public life", the judges said. On top of the main prize, Edwards also received $20,000 that comes with the inaugural Distinguished Musicians Award through the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Other winners announced on the night were Scott Tinkler (Outstanding Musicians Award), Kate Neal (Beleura Award for Composition) and Matthias Schack-Arnott (Development Award). "I'd like to congratulate this year's winners and finalists and all applicants, who collectively reinforce our great city's reputation as a centre of opportunity for musicians," said Melbourne Prize Trust director Simon Warrender.

PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

The Wilson Pickers collected an ARIA award nomination in the Blues and Roots Album category for their latest LP You Can't Catch Fish from a Train and are back on the road, playing Caravan Music Club in Oakleigh on December 3 and Northcote Social Club on December 4. Back from a five-year hiatus, the group's new album was made with Nick DiDia​ (Bruce Springsteen) and features guest appearances from Bernard Fanning and Rod Coe. For tickets go to thewilsonpickers.com.au

FANS LOVE TEENAGE FANCLUB

Tickets for the second Melbourne show by Teenage Fanclub will go on sale on November 16 after the band's March 13 show at the Corner in Richmond were snapped up by fans of the Scottish five-piece. Pre-sales for the March 11 show will open for Frontier members at noon on November 14. This year the band released Here, their first album since 2010 and along with their two Corner shows will also play at Golden Plains in the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. ticketscout.com.au goldenplains.com.au

TAASHA COATES' NORTHCOTE SHOW

Taasha Coates, from ARIA award winning group the Audreys, will perform songs from her new solo album Taasha Coates and her Melancholy Sweethearts when she plays at Northcote Social Club on Saturday, November 12. Songs, including her new single This House is Gonna Burn, were recorded with songwriter and producer Shane Nicholson and show another side to the much-loved Audreys' frontwoman. "I'm really proud of these songs," Coates said. "They're raw, real and very personal and were a lot of fun to record and have been great to play live." For tickets go to taashacoates.com.au

THE NEW NIGEL KENNEDY

Vivaldi's The Four Seasons was given a modern make-over in the late '80s when Nigel Kennedy's version of the great Italian composer's work was released as The New Four Seasons, becoming the best-selling classical album ever. A quarter of a century later Kennedy will bring his show Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons + Dedications to Australia, playing Hamer Hall in Melbourne on January 31. The show pays tribute to Kennedy's musical heroes, including Isaac Stern, Mark O'Connor and Stephane Grappelli. Tickets are now on sale from artscentremelbourne.com.au