Young musicians rising to the top in Victoria's vibrant music scene
They've been sweeping across the country, winning fans everywhere they go, releasing album upon album for half-a-dozen years and last night King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard truly ruled over The Age Music Victoria Awards.
The wildly creative seven-piece group won Best Album for Nonagon Infinity, Best Band and Best Live Band, edging out perennial favourite The Drones in the same three categories. The Drones won Best Song for Taman Shud and Best Regional Band, while vocalist Gareth Liddiard performed on the night, which celebrated the enormous strength and vibrancy of Victorian music over the past 12 months.
Other winners named at last night's sold-out event at 170 Russell in Melbourne were rising stars Alex Lahey (Best Female) and local trio Camp Cope for Best Emerging Act. Lahey, who signed an overseas publishing deal this year, was nominated alongside Camp Cope, Cable Ties, Alice Ivy and Loose Tooth in the emerging category.
The hugely popular Melbourne Ska Orchestra collected the Best Global or Reggae Album gong for Sierra Kilo Alpha before playing a headline set that brought nominees, winners, industry representatives and music fans together on the dance floor. Earlier in the night Camp Cope and Tash Sultana played short sets that proved why they're among the local acts attracting attention here and overseas.
Music Victoria chief executive Patrick Donovan said the winners, nominees and performers on stage last night highlight why there's rave reviews coming from overseas about Melbourne's music scene. "Congratulations to all our finalists and winners, including some usual suspects," he said. "It's great to see some newer acts also picking up gongs."
Kylie Auldist, whose vocals on locally produced song This Girl brought her enormous attention when a remix of the track topped UK and European charts this year, was nominated for Best Female and won the Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B or Gospel Album category for Family Tree.
Other winners included C.W. Stoneking, who went back-to-back in the Best Male category that included Briggs, Henry Wagons, Remi and Al Montfort.
Meredith Music Festival won Best Festival in a field that included local favourites Cherry Rock and Sugar Mountain, while the new Best Venue (under 500 capacity) was won by The Tote in Collingwood, which continues to support live music every year, every week, every night. The Corner in Richmond won Best Venue (over 500 capacity) and Castlemaine's Bridge Hotel won Best Regional Venue.
Community broadcaster Triple R, celebrating its 40th year on air, was inducted into The Age Music Victoria Hall of Fame.
"Thanks to our broadcasters and volunteers for their brilliant work over 40 years," said Triple R station manager Dave Houchin. "To our subscribers ... who have kept us prospering at a time when media organisations are facing great challenges, and thanks to Music Victoria and The Age for this honour."
The Age Music Victoria Awards 2016
Public Voted Winners
Best album: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Nonagon Infinity
Best song: The Drones, Taman Shud
Best band: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Best male artist: C.W. Stoneking
Best female: Alex Lahey
Best emerging act: Camp Cope
Best regional act: The Drones
Best live band: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Best regional venue: The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
Best venue (over 500 capacity): Corner Hotel
Best venue (under 500 capacity): The Tote
Best festival: Meredith Music Festival
Industry Nominated Genre Winners
Best Heavy Album: Be'Lakor, Vessels
Best Folk or Roots Album: Oh Pep!, Stadium Cake
Best Experimental or Avant Garde Act: Inland (Alex Garsden and Rohan Drape)
Best Country Album: Tracy McNeil & The Goodlife, Thieves
Best Hip Hop Album: Plutonic Lab, Deep Above The Noise
Best Electronic Act: Harvey Sutherland
Best Jazz Album: Peter Knight, Way Out West
Best Aboriginal Act: Benny Walker
Best Global or Reggae Album: Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Sierra Kilo Alpha
Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B, or Gospel Album: Kylie Auldist, Family Tree
Best Blues Album: Nick Charles, The River Flows