AIR Awards 2011 @Revolt,Melboune (12/10/2011)

Wed 19th Oct, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Revolt, a refitted 19th century factory, played host for this year’s Jagermeister AIR Awards. While situated in a more remote suburban location, the dynamic space was far more appropriate than the awards’ previous venue, the cavernous Forum Theatre.

On entering, it was hard to imagine that beyond the antiquated factory facade awaited dozens of bartenders and waiters with red bulls and chicken rolls on hand. Two suited guards standing behind a red robe welcomed guests in for the pre- cocktail drinks. A beautifully embellished alleyway covered in graffiti art and dangling yellow lights lead into the bar area, and immediately suggested that little had been spared on production.

With free drinks supplied for several hours, the venue was already heaving. Framed photos of musician nominees and past winners adorned the walls of the art gallery-type layout. Soon attendees were instructed to head into the award seating room, where the evening’s host Dylan Lewis (of Recovery or more recently, Video Hits/Nova fame) informed everyone to head to bar and stock up on drinks before the room was locked down for Channel V’s filming.

After everyone settled in their seats with their multiple bottles of cider and Jager red bulls, Calling All Cards took to the stage to kick off the show. Dazzlingly illuminated, the locals proved a good way to open proceedings.

Award time then began, with Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album going to My Disco for their brilliant full-length, Little Joy. Next award saw the night’s first and only tie, with honours split for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Single between Seekae for Blood Bank and Tommy Trash & Tom Piper for All My Friends . Pnau subsequently took out the award for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album, but the applause their management receives on accepting the award is decidedly muted.

Quick bathroom breaks are taken and second (or seventh) bottles of cider are opened, before Channel V presenter Billy Russell joins Lewis onstage to announce the next performers, Number 29 on Triple J’s Hottest 100, Illy and Owl Eyes then perform their hit single It Can Wait. A catchy mix of Illy’s rap with Owl Eye’s soft vocals, it’s definitely a great track made for a road trip.

Next category is for Best Independent Country Album, which is somewhat unsurprisingly taken out by Wagons for Rumble Shake and Tumble. Media veteran and recent ABC retiree Derek Guille joins the stage to talk about his retirement vacation as well as present the Best Independent Jazz Album, which goes to Sandy Evans for When The Sky Cries Rainbows.

Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album is then handed to Drapht for The Life Of Riley, but the reception his recorded acceptance speech receives is dwarfed by that for Gurrumul, whose stunning album Rrakala takes out Best Independent Blues And Roots Album.

Up next is young fresh to the scene performer and nominee Emma Louise, a 19 year old who just signed onto a German record label. With her haunting vocals set against a strong melody, Louise’s performance of her single Jungle sets the bar high for the night’s performances. She’s quickly welcomed back to the stage too to accept the award for Breakthrough Independent Artist- well deserved.

It’s then that time of the night where thanks are made. AIR executive Nick O’Byrne hits the stage to thank sponsors and organizers: Melbourne’s Revolt, Red Bull, Nova, production teams and of course, Jagermeister.

Jagermeister’s brand manager Shannan Quinn then announces the Most Hunted Award (People’s Choice). 360 takes it out, and his quick but entertaining speech makes reference to the bar’s confusion of how Jager Bombs are made, before closing with an enthusiastic ‘We beat Bliss N Eso!’

Performance time welcomes The Holidays to the stage, performing their own hit Broken Bones. Awash with a bursts of orange and yellow light, the band fail to quite hit the mark and conversation begins to swell during the latter part of the song.

Next award up is the Best Independent Single/EP, which The Jezabels take home for Dark Storm. Dan Sultan then joins Lewis, indulging in some awkward but nonetheless amusing banter before announcing the year’s Best Independent Artist- an award that once again goes to The Jezabels. Their speech, while pre-recorded, suggests that both awards do actually mean a lot to them and the band appear genuinely humbled.

Final award of the night is for Best Independent Album, which deservedly goes to Adalita for her brilliant self-titled solo debut. She delivers a heart-warming speech, reserving special thanks for her partner and the late Dean Turner, before closing the night with a hypnotising performance, accompanied by JP Shilo.

With that everyone is well informed of the two busses available to the after party at Cherry Bar. But before that, most head back into the cocktail room and hit the bar to indulge in one or two more drinks.