Earlier this evening saw the best of the best in Victorian music honoured as part of The Age Music Victoria Awards. The ceremony took place at 170 Russell, with prolific psychedelic collective King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard sweeping the awards.
More than 46,000 votes were cast, with King Gizz walking away with the gongs for Best Album for Nonagon Infinity, their eight album in just four years. They were also honoured with Best Band and Best Live Band.
The evening also belonged to iconic Melbourne community radio station 3RRR, who were inducted into The Age Music Victoria Hall of Fame in recognition of their years of service to the local Melbourne and Victorian music community.
“I’m really proud of the contribution Triple R has made to our musical and intellectual life so it’s great to have such a public celebration in its 40th year,” said Chair of the Board of Directors Geoff King.
“The Music Victoria Hall of Fame induction is a powerful way of recognising Triple R’s achievements when placed alongside earlier inductees, particularly the likes of Stan Rofe and Bill Armstrong, without whom Melbourne would not have developed such a strong music scene.”
Meanwhile, The Drones took home two awards, nabbing Best Song for ‘Taman Shud’ and Best Regional Act. Best Male Artist went to C.W. Stoneking and Best Female Artist to Alex Lahey, whilst Camp Cope took home the gong for Best Emerging Act.
This year also saw The Age Music Victoria Awards introducing a new category, with The Tote taking home the award for Best Venue Under 500 Capacity. Richmond’s iconic Corner Hotel was honoured with the award for Best Venue Over 500 Capacity.
“Congratulations to all of finalists and winners which included some usual suspects like the Drones, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Kylie Auldist and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard,” said Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan in a statement.
“And it’s great to see some newer acts also picking up gongs like Camp Cope and Alex Lahey, who on stage tonight showed us why they are receiving rave reviews oversees for writing some of the freshestunes around.”
“The Age Music Victoria Awards takes pride in celebrating the great music talent here,” added The Age Entertainment Guide editor Martin Boulton, “talent the world is hearing more about every year. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners, we look forward to hearing more from you.”
Check below for the full list of winners.
The Age Music Victoria Awards 2016 Results
Public Voted Award 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 artist: 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 Selected Genre Award 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
