The Independent Music Awards is what they is. The argument of what classifies as “independent” was a contentious one at last year’s awards, with heckles and speeches on the matter proving to be a theme of the night. Not so much this year. It was a controversy free affair, as such, it was not nearly as memorable. But some undeniably good shit happened. King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard landed a tidy 50 grand, taking out the Global Music Grant as well as Best Independent Hard Rock. They were one of the few actually on hand to collect their awards on the night, with speech duties more often than not delegated to label heads, pre-recorded video, or famous nephews.
King Gizz closed off the night with a surprise performance, following on from a neat cross-section of Australian music’s rich diversity. Saskwatch were first cab off the ranks, performing a ridiculously tight run-through of their new single Hands. Melbourne’s hottest soul outfit just keep on getting better and better it seems. Dance project RÜFÜS showcased their radio-ready style, Archie Roach and his backing band were in fine form, Seth Sentry capped off his set with a fist bump, Big Scary showed they had no troubles bringing their electronic-tinged new material to the live setting, and Violent Soho proved to be the heaviest act of the night.
Then Flume won a fuckload of awards, transporting via his patented Infinity Prism technology from across the Tasman on his current New Zealand tour. Or he might have just sent a video, I was pretty delirious from dehydration while waiting for the open bar to reopen.
But yeah, good music was celebrated, the grumblings of independent classification were somewhat muted, and the sense of community was more than reassuring.
BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Loved: Your boy Flume reaping his dues.
Hated: Flume was robbed in the Best Independent Jazz Album category.
Drank: Enough Carlton Dry to float a battleship and corrode the hull with its chemical aftertaste.
