Live Review: 2017 AIR Awards

What a night for AB Original! They swept the annual AIR Awards (Australian Independent Record Labels Association), taking home five prestigious awards from the five they were nominated for. Hope they allowed the space in the carry-on luggage! They took home: Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year, Best Independent Hip Hop Album, Best Independent Album or EP for their breakthrough Reclaim Australia, Best Independent Single for January 26, and finally, Best Independent Artist.

I’d also award them for best speech…well speeches, they ventured up to stage five times after all! They had their serious moments paying tribute to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu who they collaborated with but sadly passed away this past weekJ. And they had their funny moments, talking shit on stage that had the crowd in hysterics (e.g. Briggs stating he isn’t poor even though all the promo photos feature him in the same Kings cap). And yes, you guessed it, he was wearing it tonight.

AB Original

Violent Soho also won a big award – they took out Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy, or Punk Album Award for the second time for their great album WACO. A much deserved award as they must have circled this great continent several time over the last decade to finally get this recognition. They gave a highly entertaining speech as well and mentioned the hosts, Dylan Lewis, former band The Brown Hornet much to his delight. In fact the whole night was a bit loose; good to see the industry not taking themselves too seriously.

Violent Soho

There were several live performances on the night. AB Original opened the ceremony displaying why they deserve all five awards. Their passion to spread the word exploded out from the stage with every word rapped. Although Elizabeth Rose didn’t win any awards, she displayed her amazingly effortless voice over electronic beats.

Nick Murphy (FKA Chet Faker) ended up winning the Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single award. Henry Wagons, who won the award for Best Country Release, entertained the crowd not only with his performance but his sparkly sequin jacket. Looked like a disco ball gyrating about on stage! Finally, Australian legend Russell Morris showed he isn’t slowing down one bit and gave a lesson in how to play a blues heavy number.

Henry Wagons

Elizabeth Rose

A big shout out to Dylan Lewis. It’s hard to believe he hosted ABC’s Recovery show some 20 years ago. He has an amazing personality and entertained the industry folk all night and hugging every person who come up on stage.

Dylan Lewis