Genesis Owusu, Amyl & The Sniffers & More Lead 2022 AIR Awards Winners

For the first time in two years, the AIR Awards were held completely in person last night to celebrate the hard and undying work of independent artists and labels within the Australian music industry. 

The results were wide and varied, which perfectly represents the diverse array of music that Australia has to offer. Although Genesis Owusu was a clear lead for the night, sweeping the floor and claiming three trophies for Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP, Independent Album of the Year and Independent Song of the Year for Smiling With No Teeth.

Other winners included Courtney Barnett for Best Independent Rock Album or EP, Hiatus Kaiyote for Best Independent Jazz Album, and Amyl & The Sniffers for Best Independent Punk Album. 

Flight Facilities also took out the Best Independent Dance/Electronica Category, while the Best Independent Heavy Album or EP went to Wolf & Cub. 

The highly coveted award for Best Independent Label went to I OH YOU and the 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award went to late Warren Costello. Costello was recognised for his work supporting independent artists for over 30 years through iconic labels Liberation and Bloodlines. Under a collective decision, the $5000 professional Development Prize award will go to Warren's daughter, Caitlin Costello, to further her career as an entertainment lawyer. 

Andrea Michaels, Minister for Arts, chimed in on the evening stating that “the AIR Awards recognise, promote, and celebrate the work and success of Australia’s independent music sector, which has a significant impact on our culture, wellbeing and economy.”

AIR CEO Maria Amato closed the night by congratulating all the nominees and winners saying, "It was great to come together to celebrate the success of the vibrant and resilient indie sector!"

Check out the full list of winners here: 

BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL

I OH YOU

INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR

GENESIS OWUSU – Smiling With No Teeth

INDEPENDENT SONG OF THE YEAR

GENESIS OWUSU – Smiling With No Teeth

BEST INDEPENDENT SOUL/RNB ALBUM OR EP

EMMA DONOVAN & THE PUTBACKS – Under These Streets

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM OR EP

FELICITY URQUHART & JOSH CUNNINGHAM– The Song Club

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM OR EP

LIZ STRINGER – First Time Really Feeling

BEST INDEPENDENT POP ALBUM OR EP

BIG SCARY  – Daisy

BEST INDEPENDENT ROCK ALBUM OR EP

COURTNEY BARNETT – Things Take Time, Take Time

BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM OR EP

GENEVIEVE LACEY / MARSHALL MCGUIRE– Bower 

2022 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - SPONSORED BY MERLIN

WARREN COSTELLO

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR - PRESENTED BY PPCA

TELENOVA

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM OR EP

GENESIS OWUSU – Smiling With No Teeth

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE OR ELECTRONICA ALBUM OR EP

FLIGHT FACILITIES – FOREVER 

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE

SHOUSE – Love Tonight (David Guetta remix)

 BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM OR EP

HIATUS KAIYOTE – Mood Valiant 

BEST INDEPENDENT PUNK ALBUM OR EP

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS – Comfort To Me 

BEST INDEPENDENT HEAVY ALBUM OR EP

WOLF & CUB – Dusk at the Watagan Forest Motel

BEST INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S ALBUM OR EP

THE WIGGLES – Lullabies With Love