The Amp Increase Number Of Women On This Year's Judging Panel

The Coopers Australian Music Prize has boosted the number of women on this year's judging panel.

Where previously the competition's judging panel has been criticised for its gender imblance, the 10th Coopers Amp is a markedly more even affair.

First reported in the Herald Sun's Rock City column, Prize Director Scott B. Murphy has confirmed to theMusic.com.au that despite veteran judge Renee Geyer taking a year's absence, new judges joining the fold include journalist Sarah Smith, The Music's Bryget Chrisfield, musician Jen Cloher and another yet-to-be-announced judge, while Jet Black Cat Music's Shannon Logan is making her return, having helped judge the last comp. The Jezabels' guitarist Sam Lockwood is also joing the fold.

Melbourne duo Big Scary were the most recent act to take out the Coopers Amp, with other acts who can claim that honour including Hermitude, The Jezabels, Cloud Control, Lisa Mitchell, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Mess Hall, Augie March and inaugural winners The Drones.

Although the competition's website is yet to be updated for this year's event, the Coopers Amp Facebook page has revealed that acts including Teeth & Tongue, East Brunswick Girls Choir and the world-beating DZ Deathrays have already been longlisted for this year's prize.

Keep an eye on the Coopers Amp homepage for more information; we'll be sure to keep you posted of all the big developments from here to ceremony time.