2018

AIR AWARDS 

Results Are In!

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Australia’s Independent Music’s night of nights welcomed in the 2018 AIR Awards in Adelaide last night hosted once again by the ever charming Dylan Lewis.   Not only did this year’s list of recipients see 12 of Australia’s finest artists acknowledged, it also recognised the work of two strong independent music business’, rewarding them with financial funding from our supporting partners.

The AIR Award for Best Independent Label went to Milk! Records and thanks to moshtix;Australia’s most trusted Independent Ticketing company, they will receive a digital marketing package valued at $20,000 to help showcase their talent to the music public.

Skinnyfish Musictook out AIR’s new Outstanding Achievement Awardreceiving a $5,000 cash prize from global independent rights agency Merlin, in recognition of their significant and lasting contribution to the Australian Independent Music Community.

Milk! Records celebrated once more with Jen Cloher taking home AIR’s Best Independent Artist award, whilst Best Independent Single went to Alex Lahey for her song ‘Every Day’s The Weekend’.

In an AIR Awards first, Best Independent Album or EP was a tie this year, awarding both Methyl Ethel for their Everything is Forgotten album and The Jungle Giants for their Quiet Ferocity album, the two racking up an equal number of votes.

In the genre awards PNAUdominated in their category for Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single and Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album. Whilst the Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album award went to King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard,and BIRDZ took home Best Independent Hip Hop Album.

Fanny Lumsden accepted the award for Best Independent Country Album,before taking to the stage to perform ‘Elastic Waistband’ off her Real Class Act record.

Having kicked off the night performing Welcome to Country with the Tal-Kin-Jeri Dancers, followed by his own ‘Mr La Di Da Di’ single, Baker Boystepped back onstage later in the night to receive the award for Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year Presented by PPCA. 
 
Alex The Astronaut’s performance of ‘Not Worth Hiding’ and Stella Donnelly‘Boys Will Be Boys’ raw performance demonstrated the power music can have, whilst BAD//DREEMS kept the party atmosphere in tow with their ‘Feeling Remains’ anthem.

ABC Classics had good reason to celebrate with their two artists James Morrison/BBC Concert Orchestra taking out the gong for Best Independent Jazz Album and Australian Chamber Orchestra/Richard Tognettireceiving Best Independent Classical Album. 

The night’s proceedings came to a close with the unique and powerfully endearing Caiti Baker performing her R&B/Soul single ‘I Won’t Sleep’.

AIR GM, Maria Amato commented  “It was great to celebrate the success of the Australian Independent music sector at the 2018 AIR Awards in Adelaide last night. We are grateful to the South Australian Government for their continued support and to all our valued partners who helped us make it all happen.” 

Minister for Industry and Skills, the Hon. David Pisoni MP commented: “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 AIR Awards. The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to developing the environment for the next generation of creative talent in live music, to help the music industry grow and thrive in South Australia.”

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018 AIR AWARDS RECIPIENTS…

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BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL 

Milk! Records

Thanks to moshtix; Australia’s most trusted independent ticketing company and supporting partner of the 2018 AIR Awards, the recipient of this year’s Best Independent Label award will receive a digital marketing package valued at $20,000 to help showcase their talent to the music public.

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BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY PPCA

Baker Boy (Independent)

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BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST

Jen Cloher (Milk! Records)

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BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE

Every Day’s the Weekend – Alex Lahey (Nicky Boy Records)

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BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OR EP

Everything is Forgotten – Methyl Ethel (Dot Dash Recordings) AND Quiet Ferocity – The Jungle Giants (Amplifire Music)

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BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK, HEAVY OR PUNK ALBUM

Murder of the Universe – King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard (Flightless Records)

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BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE

Go Bang – PNAU (Etc Etc)

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BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM

Changa – PNAU (Etc Etc)

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BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM

Train of Thought – BIRDZ (Bad Apples Music)

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BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM

When We Fall – All Our Exes Live in Texas (ABC Music)

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BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM

Real Class Act – Fanny Lumsden (Red Dirt Road Records)

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BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM

The Great American Songbook – James Morrison/BBC Concert Orchestra (ABC Classics)

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BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM

Jonny Greenwood – Australian Chamber Orchestra/Richard Tognetti (ABC Classics)

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award recognises an individual or group who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Australian Independent Music Community

Skinnyfish Music

Thanks to the global independent rights agency Merlin, this year’s winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize to be used for business/professional development

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