The finalists for the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Music are David Bridie, Joe Camilleri, Kutcha Edwards, Liza Lim and Adalita Srsen.
Elsewhere, the $16,000 Development Award will see Sophia Exiner, Rory Burnside/Rudely Interrupted, Gabriella Cohen, Matthias Schack-Arnott and Tilman Robinson duke it out for the top prize.
The $30,000 (plus $2,500 Qantas travel voucher) Outstanding Musicians Award will be presented to a Victorian musician, or group of musicians for recent work representing an outstanding example of creativity and skill. The finalists are: Lior Attar, Briggs, Sophia Brous, Biddy Connor, James Hullick, Gareth Liddiard, Kate Miller-Heidke, Eric Moore/King Gizzard, Monica Curro/PLEXUS and Scott Tinkler.
“We were overwhelmed by the increased quantity and importantly the quality of entries across all categories in this year’s Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 & Awards,” reads the official judge’s statement. “The representation of musicians across all genres and career stages was outstanding and celebrates the abundant talent we have in Victorian music and musicians.”