2020 AIR AWARDS WRAP

The 2020 AIR Awards returned to Adelaide, Australia’s UNESCO City of Music, tonight to celebrate the success of the vibrant Australian Independent Music sector. The ceremony took place at The Lion Arts Factory and was broadcast on AIR’s YouTube channel.

An official Welcome to Country opened the show which included moving performances from Stella Donnelly, The Teskey Brothers, Angie McMahon and The Soul Movers. Dylan Lewis returned as AIR’s Master of Ceremonies and was joined by Adelaide host Jessica Braithwaite and a line-up of guest presenters, including Murray Cook and Fanny Lumsden.

18 Awards were given out, including 4 new categories that were added to the celebration line up.

Stella Donnelly was awarded Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Pop Album for “Beware of the Dogs”. Tones and I also went home with two awards including Breakthrough Artist Of The Year presented by PPCA and Song of the Year for her record breaking hit single “Dance Monkey”.

Sampa The Great took home the Best Independent Hip Hop Album for The Return, Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single went to Dom Dolla for San Frandisco; and Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP was awarded to The Jungle Giants for their work Heavy Hearted 1,2,3,4, AM Remixes.

Best Independent Punk Album went to DZ Deathrays for their album Positive Rising Part 1, Best Independent Blues and Roots Album went to Julia Jacklin for Crushing, Northlane took out the Best Independent Heavy Album for Alien and Best Independent Rock Album went to Angie McMahon for Salt.

Best independent Jazz Album was awarded to Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky for their collaboration of love songs Tryst, whilst Caiti Baker’s Dust (Pt.1) took out the Best Independent Soul/RNB category. Charlie Collins took out the Best Independent Country Album and the Best Independent Classical Album went to the Richard Tognetti and Erin Helyard for Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas with Children’s Album going to Regurgitator’s Pogogo Show for The Really Really Really Boring Album

The highly-coveted award for Best Independent Label sponsored by Moshtix recognised the efforts of ABC Music and the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Merlin went to Emily Ulman for her incredible work supporting artists during the Covid closure through her work creating the Isol-Aid Instagram festival.

AIR CEO, Maria Amato commented “We congratulate all the nominees and award recipients and are grateful for the ongoing support we have received from the South Australian Government and our supporting partners. We look forward to celebrating the success of the Australian Independent music sector in Adelaide again next year!”

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2020 AIR Awards which celebrate the outstanding and inspiring talent of Australia’s independent artists across multiple genres.”

THE 2020 AWARDS RECIPIENTS ARE…

BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL

ABC MUSIC
Thanks to Moshtix; Australia’s industry leading GA ticketing provider specialising in live music and entertainment, and proud supporting partner of the 2020 AIR Awards, the recipient of this year’s Best Independent Label award will receive a digital marketing package valued at $10,000 to help showcase their talent to the music public