Bluesfest, Bruce Springsteen Win Helpmann Awards

Bluesfest, Bruce Springsteen and the joint Neil Finn/Paul Kelly tour have picked up Helpmann Awards overnight in the contemporary music categories.

Kylie Minogue was also awarded the JC Williamson Award, which is granted for outstanding contribution to the live entertainment and performing arts industry. Accepted on her behalf by Michael Gudinski, she was a co-winner with David Blenkinsop, who led the Festival Of Perth for 23 years.

The annual music, theatre and stage awards also recognised musicals King Kong and Legally Blonde The Musical and play The Secret River.

The main music awards went to:

Best Australian Contemporary Concert
Neil Finn & Paul Kelly
(Neil Finn, Paul Kelly and Live Nation Australasia by arrangement with Artist Voice)

Best Contemporary Music Festival
The 24th Annual Bluesfest Byron Bay
(Bluesfest)

Best International Contemporary Concert
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Wrecking Ball 2013
(Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and The Frontier Touring Company in association with Jacobsen International)

Best Original Score
Iain Grandage for The Secret River
Sydney Theatre Company in association with The Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, The Centenary of Canberra, Perth International Arts Festival

Best Music Direction
Iain Grandage for The Secret River
Sydney Theatre Company in association with The Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, The Centenary of Canberra, Perth International Arts Festival

Legally Blonde The Musical won Best Musical, The Secret River Best Play, Geoffrey Rush Best Male Actor In A Musical for A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, while King Kong picked up Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design and Outstanding Theatrical Achievement.