Ahead of this weekend’s WAMFest & WAMCon program, the 2019 WAMAwards lead the way in shining a dazzling light on an incredible weekend of local music to come. Returning to it’s luxe home at the Hyatt Regency Perth, this year’s sold out WAMAwards were a testament to the shining talent streaming out of Western Australia’s vibrant music scene. Welcoming international and national industry experts, and WA’s finest music exports and up-and-comers, WA’s music industry went all out last night celebrating the exciting yet humble industry that inhabits the West.
Leading the pack with a massive four award wins was indie-rock powerhouse Carla Geneve who took out awards for Best Rock Act and Best Single (both for the second year in a row), as well as Best Guitarist and Best EP for her debut self-titled EP. Following Carla’s massive sweep were a few acts doubling down on award wins with Dulcie, Grace Barbé, and Harry Mitchell picking up two awards each.
This year also saw the debut of the prestigious Artist of the Year Award which was decided by a specialty panel of Industry judges. The award served recognition to an artist who has made significant headway in their career on a National and International scale. Presented by the incredible music industry legend Fifa Riccobono, it was no surprise to see Stella Donnelly take out the big prize alongside her two other category award wins in Best Album and Best Pop Act. We’re also excited to reveal that Stella Donnelly will be once again taking the stage at WAMFest this Saturday, revealed as the secret headliner at The Bird, Northbridge.
The highly deserving recipient of this year’s coveted Golden WAMi was the much adored Nigel Bird (WAM) who has created, fostered and executed dozens of regional music projects throughout his time as regional officer at WAM. Without Nigel’s hard work, many of these remote communities would not have had the experiences to perform, tour and record alongside world class performers and professionals.
The night also paid tribute in honouring this year’s two Hall of Fame inductees; The Scientists and Johnny Young. These phenomenal individuals have now taken their place amongst the local legends before them, and all have been integral in shaping the current landscape of our local and National industry.
For the sixth year in a row, (clearly) WA’s favourite spot to catch budding local music Mojos Bar picked up the award for Most Popular Venue.
The night featured stellar performances by Hall of Fame inductees The Scientists, award winners Stella Donnelly, Grace Barbé, Dulcie and Superego, as well as award nominees Soukouss Internationale, and Brayden Sibbald. There was an extra special unannounced performance on the night, upping the vibe even further, Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Young taking the stage to perform one of many iconic songs he wrote ‘The Real Thing’ with award winners The Struggling Kings. Needless to say, the WAMAwards set an exciting precedent to kick off WAMFest Live and WAMCon 2019!
WA MUSIC AWARDS – GENRE & INDUSTRY
Artist Of The Year (presented by Fifa Riccobono) – Stella Donnelly
Best Album (presented by Indian Ocean Hotel) – Stella Donnelly (Beware of the Dogs)
Best Blues/Roots Act (presented by Blues at Bridgetown) – Lincoln MacKinnon
Best Country Act (presented by Nannup Music Festival) – The Little Lord Street Band
Best EP (presented by Rosemount Hotel) – Carla Geneve (Carla Geneve)
Best Experimental Act (presented by RTRFM) – Eduardo Cossio
Best Folk Act (presented by Clancy’s Fishpub Fremantle) – Jack Davies & The Bush Chooks
Best Hip-Hop Act (presented by APRA AMCOS) – Hyclass
Best Indigenous Act (presented by NAIDOC Music Awards) – The Struggling Kings
Best Jazz Act (presented by The Alex Hotel) – Harry Mitchell Quartet
Best Live Electronic Act (presented by Pilerats) – Your Girl Pho
Best Metal/Heavy Act (presented by Hammer Ink Merchandise) – Tangled Thoughts of Leaving
Best Music Video (presented by Screenwest) – Jamilla (Bloom)
Best Pop Act (presented by Lolly Box Music) – Stella Donnelly
Best Punk/Hardcore Act (presented by Scenestr) – Sly Withers
Best Regional Act (presented by Settlers Tavern) – Blue Child Collective
Best Rock Act (presented by Badlands Bar) – Carla Geneve
Best Single (presented by The Bird) – Carla Geneve ( Things Change)
Best Urban Act (presented by Sorrento Strategic Music) – Superego
Best World Act (presented by Fairbridge Festival) – Grace Barbé
Golden WAMi (presented by City of Perth) – Nigel Bird (WAM)
Label of the Year (presented by moshtix) – Rhubarb Records
WA MUSIC AWARDS – PUBLIC VOTED
Most Popular Act (presented by Freo.Social) – Dulcie
Most Popular Live Act (presented by RAC Arena) – Spacey Jane
Most Popular Music Event (presented by Media Arts Lawyers) – Falls Festival
Most Popular New Act (presented by The Aardvark) – Dulcie
Most Popular Venue (presented by The Poster Girls) – Mojo’s Bar
WA MUSIC AWRADS – CRAFT
Best Bassist (presented by Hyperfest) – Kate Pass and Roy Martinez
Best Brass/String/Woodwind Instrumentalist (presented by Lotterywest) – Ricki Malet (Trumpet)
Best Drummer/Percussionist (presented by Mega Music) – Talya Valenti
Best Electronic Producer (presented by Bankwest) – Feels
Best Guitarist (presented by Forrest Chase) – Carla Geneve
Best Keys/Synth Artist (presented by Hyatt Regency Perth) – Harry Mitchell
Best Live Sound Engineer (presented by Mustang Bar) – Chris Wright
Best Studio Sound Engineer/Producer (Presented by SAE Qantm Creative Media Institute) – Broderick Madden-Scott (Tunafish Recording Company)
Best Vocalist (presented by Shiny Rabbit) – Grace Barbé
