At an action-packed shindig on Monday night, Australia’s finest independent talent was acknowledged in the AIR Awards. The big winners of the night were The Herd and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who took out Best Independent Artist and Best Independent Album respectively. A hearty round of applause must go to one of FL’s favourites, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, who deservedly got the nod for Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album.

The ceremony itself, held at Melbourne institution the Corner Hotel, offered a lot more pizazz than your usual Monday night. Yunupingu, The Herd, The Getaway Plan and Grafton Primary all graced the stage for a song or two, but for FasterLouder the highlight was a joint performance by The Drones and visiting chanteuse Martha Wainwright. Needless to say, Tuesday was sorer than it had any right to be.

THE 2008 AIR AWARDS WINNERS:

Best Independent Artist
The Herd (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Single/EP
The Getaway Plan – Where the City Meets The Sea (Boomtown Records/Shock)

Best New Independent Artist
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Primary Colours (Aarght Records/Shock)

Best Independent Urban/Hip Hop Album
The Herd – Summerland (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Country Album
Bec Willis – Bec Willis (Independent/Shock)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Peret Mako – The Devil is in the Detail (Future Classic/Inertia)

Best Australian Independent Blues/Roots Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Australian Independent Jazz Album
Tina Harrod – Worksongs (Independent/Vitamin)