Violent Soho Win Album Of The Year At QLD Music Awards

It was a big night in kind for Halfway, Airling and more of the state's finest at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night

Proud Mansfield natives Violent Soho walked away from the Queensland Music Awards ceremony at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night as the freshly minted recipients of the Album Of The Year prize for their acclaimed 2014 full-length, Hungry Ghost.

The Covered In Chrome hitmakers were in attendance to receive their award, presented to them by The Music's Brisbane editor, Steve Bell, with the band going on to offer a humble, endearing acceptance speech to a warm, receptive response from their peers and industry contemporaries (apparently they were one of the few nominees who bothered actually writing anything or, if not, at least didn't mention that they hadn't).

Of course, Soho weren't the only act to be acknowledged at last night's ceremony, which was compered by radio personality Sarah Howells and a genuine contender for the title of host of the century, Fred Leone, aka Rival MC, with myriad guest presenters throughout. Eight-piece country outfit Halfway also enjoyed a night of success, nabbing the title of Song Of The Year as well as the 2015 Country Music Award, both for their track Dulcify, while ascendant songstress Airling — who was among the evening's live performers — picked up the Pop Award for her sublime cut Wasted Pilots.

Veteran local legends The Grates were bestowed the Rock Award — somewhat hilariously, they weren't able to accept as they had to depart earlier in the evening to put their new baby to bed — for Holiday Home, while also-absent recipients The Amity Affliction (winners of the peer-voted Most Popular Group) dialled in their acceptance speech via video, the lads presently blazing a trail abroad on tour.

Also picking up peer-voted victories were Bobby Alu, who fended off what one would imagine was fierce competition from Jeremy Neale and his supporters to claim the title of Most Popular Male, while Most Popular Female deservedly went to Sahara Beck, a multiple nominee throughout the night and a standout performer from the evening's live contingent.

Other big winners for the night included SASKIA (Schools Award), The Medics (Indigenous Award, for Wake Up), The Vernons (Regional Award, plus quote of the evening: "I've never actually won anything before… my parents are gonna be filthy they didn't come tonight"), Leanne Tennant (Blues/Roots Award, for Bearing The Crown), Guards Of May (Heavy Award, Numbers), Quintessential Doll (Folk/Singer-Songwriter Award, for Live Like I'm Dying) and Dubmarine (Urban Award, for None The Wiser).

Amid the celebration of the new came reverence for the old(er), with iconic muso and Screaming Tribesmen founder Mick Medew being recognised for his lifetime of creative service as this year's recipient of the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Billy Thorpe Scholarship Award was bestowed upon up-and-coming act AYLA, who walked away the first-ever female recipient of the prize.

With live performances from Yarwah, Halfway, Sahara Beck, MKO, Airling, Katie Noonan & cln (replete with hypnotic acrobatic accompaniment), Blank Realm and We All Want To punctuating the evening's proceedings — not to mention the soft-launch of the extremely worthwhile #NotOn anti-domestic violence campaign — it was a sterling night in honour of the finest tunes Queensland has to offer — but, next time, let's schedule in some time for a bathroom break.

See the full list of winners below.