The Wildcard Win, Best Shout-out & Other SAM Awards You Might Have Missed

As the dust settles on another massive South Australian Music Awards (congrats to all the winners!), we thought it best to recap the night in a way that pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the Norwood Town Hall event.

Tkay Maizda, Bad//Dreems and AB Original were among those to take out awards last Friday night, but here are some categories that didn't quite make the cut.

The alternative SAM Awards

Presenter

SA Premier Jay Weatherill presented the award for Best International Collaboration. Weatherill highlighted the state’s achievements as a UNESCO City of Music, the progress with the Music Development Office and contributions to the local economy.

The award went to Tkay Maidza for her Do It Right collaboration with French producer, Martin Solveig. Weatherill proved himself to be a champion of local music in the most earnest ways, disclosing to the audience that first saw Tkay Maidza perform at Northern Sound System way back in 2013.

best Shout-out

Former triple j Unearthed High runner-up Jesse Davidson won the industry award for Best Male Artist and thanked a bunch of high-profile American personalities for his win. Trump and Obama scored a mention and so did “Jared from Subway”. Ben Zubreckyj from Brokers delivered the actual thank you speech on behalf of Davidson.

Best Absences

Max Savage was in Tasmania for the event and did a live phoner on the night to accept his award. Tkay Maidza is currently on tour and her awards were accepted by her manager, Craig Lock.

Most Popular Accessory

The criteria for Most Popular Accessory was quantity and practicality. Everyone at this event was wearing a lanyard featuring a face of an influential musician that would coordinate your tables. The Music were seated with The Gov at the “Whitney Houston” table. Other table names included: Justin Bieber, Enrique Iglesias, Cher, Avril Lavigne, and Hansen.

Best Band Name

Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys were named Most Popular Heavy Artist but also deserved a separate award for having a killer band name.

most popular hashtag

There was a state of confusion for the social media hashtag for the event - #SAMusicAwards2016, #SAMusicAwards #SAMAwards were all competing for the top prize, but thankfully, Adam Page confirmed it to be the SAMAwards - as per the huge lighting display which spelt it out.

Wildcard Win

Mount Gambier grunge rockers, Recreator, were named Most Popular Rock Act, trumping local favourites Bad//Dreems.

the second worst daylight robbery in Australian music history since Shannon Noll circa Idol 2003

West Thebarton Brothel Party were nominated for huge six awards across several categories but the Two-Bit Loser hit makers did not pick up any.

Best Cover

Lead by Ross McHenry, the Derringers All-Star Band had Adelaide artists covering other Adelaide artists’ songs. The most inventive cover was Oisima’s jazzy rework of Motez and Tkay Maidza's Down Like This. 

Best celebration of SA Music in recent history

The 2016 SAM Awards was a spectacular event and the first of its kind for this industry. The ticketed event was sold out and the organisers outdid themselves with the setup and everything in between. Special mentions must go to the team at Music SA for coordinating the event, Koral Chandler and her team for looking after the guests and to Emma Coyle whose vision and passion made this possible.

Big cheers to all involved, see you next year.

Check out the 2016 SAM Awards winners here