Project Description

Australian Women in Music Awards

@ Brisbane Powerhouse

09/10/2019

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Tammy Whitelaw

Photos – Tam Schilling

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There’s no denying the music industry has always been a bit of a boys club. Men continue to outnumber women in almost all sectors of the industry. Thanks to people like Vicki Gordon (the Founding Director of tonight’s event), the times they are a changin’ (slightly). Vicki has long championed for gender and cultural parity in the music industry.  The Australian Women in Music Awards, held at The Brisbane Powerhouse, is a night to acknowledge all the women fighting the good fight.

Now in its second year, the AWMAs celebrate not only the women in the spotlight, but all the incredibly talented women who make things happen behind the scenes. Music Journalism, Photography, Production (Studio and Live) and Leadership are all acknowledged with their own categories. Hilariously emceed by Yumi Stynes and Alethea Beetson, Yumi jokes “Can you feel that? It’s the absence of male oppression – breathe it in”.

The same week an Australian female artist (Tones and I) sits at #1 on the UK singles chart, the first ever Australian to score that same spot is honoured by being inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll – Judith Durham. Katie Noonan, Clare Bowditch and Melinda Schneider pay tribute to Judith with a stunning performance of The Seekers classic Colours of My Life.

All the musical acts on the night are amazing, but Ngaiire absolutely stunned the crowd with a heart-wrenching performance of Fall Into My Arms. It’s easy to see why the song was chosen to be used in an episode of the Oprah Winfrey produced show Queen Sugar. Ngaiire’s voice soars with raw emotion, leaving very few dry eyes in the room.

Triple J’s Ange McCormack takes out the Music Journalist Award, thanks in part to her annual ‘By The Numbers’ report.  The report highlights the obvious gender gap in the Australian music industry. During her acceptance speech, Ange touches on the way women often doubt their place in the industry. “A lot of women I know in the media find it hard to take pride in their work. They often suffer from ‘Imposter Syndrome’” she says. Let me just say, Ange, you are no imposter.

The AWMA Lifetime Achievement Award went to the matriarch of Australian country music, Joy McKean. “I never thought I’d see the day. Our own awards show!” she gleams. Despite what some may think, the awards show is in no way about ‘excluding’ men, in fact Joy thanks her late husband Slim Dusty for much of her success. Joy said Slim would always encourage her to do things she didn’t think she could.  Men speaking up and championing women is vital if we wish to see change in the current climate. Joy will celebrate her 90th birthday as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January next year with a huge party where she’ll be celebrated by artists including Paul Kelly and Kasey Chambers.

The show closes with a fiery performance of James Brown’s It’s A Man’s World.  Led by Renee Geyer’s powerful voice and Katie Noonan on piano, the song is the perfect anthem to end the night.  The whole crowd gets to their feet to scream “It would be nothing without a woman or a girl”.

There’s no doubt every woman (and man) in the room left feeling inspired.  Inspired to actively pave the way for the next generation of women coming through the ranks of the music industry. And to CELEBRATE them!

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Check out TAM SCHILLING’s full gallery of this event HERE

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2019 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC
AWARD WINNERS

THE CALILE HOTEL ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
Christine Anu
 
SCENESTR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Katie Noonan
 
SSI DIVERSITY IN MUSIC AWARD
Christine Anu
 
AWMA EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Alice Skye

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AWMA EXCELLENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARD
Caroline Almonte 

SUN STUDIOS EXCELLENCE IN IMAGE MAKING AWARD
Melaine Knight
 
CANON AUSTRALIA FILM MAKER AWARD
Tashi Hall
 
CICADA INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Dami Im

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AWMA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joy McKean, OAM
 
FRONTIER TOURING & CHUGG ENTERTAINMENT LIVE PRODUCTION AWARD
Laurie May
 
TWITTER AUSTRALIA MUSIC JOURNALIST AWARD
Ange McCormack
 
AWMA MUSIC LEADERSHIP AWARD
Sue Telfer

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CANON AUSTRALIA MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD
Tashi Hall
 
APRA AMCOS SONGWRITER AWARD
Mojo Juju
 
GOA STUDIO PRODUCTION AWARD
Virginia Read

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Check out TAM SCHILLING’s full gallery of this event HERE

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Follow AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS
Website      Youtube

 

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AMNPLIFY – DB