The Barwon Club Hotel, The Forum and The Gasometer Hotel all took home awards.
Thursday night saw the first of Music Victoria’s awards ceremonies held virtually, with the organisation revealing the deserving winners of its first-ever live-streamed Industry Awards, along with the two 2020 Music Victoria Hall of Fame Inductees.
While last night’s event focused on the industry at large, it also marked the beginning of the voting period for this year’s public-voted categories, with artists to be honoured at the second night of awards on December 9.
Industry stalwart Mary Mihelakos, and late blues musician Chris Wilson were revealed as the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees, with Chris’ family Sarah Carroll, Fenn Wilson and George Carroll Wilson honouring his induction with a special live performance of his track ‘Hand Becomes Fist’.
Regional industry veterans – The Barwon Club Hotel, Theatre Royal in Castlemaine and Golden Plains Festival – all took out top awards, honouring them as this year’s best Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue with over 50 gigs per year, Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue with under 50 gigs per year, and best festival. Golden Plains will receive three-years free subscription with festival management software Loadin.com while our regional Venue winners will each receive a $3000 cash prize from Bendigo Bank.
Other venues honoured include Melbourne based venues The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood and Forum Melbourne for being the best small venue under 500 capacity and the best large venue over 500 capacity. These venues will each have the opportunity to rep their own bespoke line of branded Brick Lane tinnies.
Recognising women in the field specifically, Music Victoria welcomed Sarah Hamilton as the inaugural winner of the Outstanding Woman In Music Award for her incredible work with One of One alongside Joanna Cameron (Co-Founder) and Ellen Kirk (Director). One of One is a website that highlights women in the music industry and hosts a very special breakfast event on International Women’s Day.
Joelistics (Joel Ma) was crowned the debut recipient of the new Best Producer category for his work on Mo’Ju & Joelistics Ghost Town EP. Joel will also receive a $1000 voucher from Award Sponsor Yamaha.
In terms of the industry-voted awards nominees, local favourites have been recognised with Benny Walker, Bones and Jones, Freya Josephine Hollick, The Kite Machine and The Teskey Brothers all nominated for this year’s best regional/outer suburban act, with the winner to be announced at the next awards ceremony.
Public-voted award nominees have also been revealed, giving music fans the opportunity to vote for this year’s best album, best band, best song, best solo artist, best musician, best breakthrough act and best live act.
All nominees for this year’s awards will each receive a $100 voucher courtesy of Yamaha & Billy Hyde Music to spend on all Yamaha products and their associated brands including Line 6, Ampeg, Steinberg, Vox, Vater and EarthQuaker Devices.
Voters will also go in the draw to win some of these vouchers! Plus, the good folk at Brick Lane are offering all voters the chance to win a slab of beer just for naming your favourite artists, songs and albums of the year, so be sure to head to the Music Victoria website before Friday 6 November and vote!
All remaining categories will be awarded at the official 2020 Music Victoria Awards, taking place on Wednesday 9 December at the Melbourne Recital Centre for the 16th instalment.
