Paul Kelly and special guests rocked the sold out EG Awards at the Prince Bandroom last night.
The highly respected Australian music awards night is in its fifth year, and it was another special night for the winners and performers.
Unlike most award ceremonies, the actual dishing of the guitar-topped trophies was brief but memorable, to make way for some spectacular performances.
First, the winners: the Coopers’ Best New Talent award went to Melbourne’s Love Connection (who gave the briefest of speeches), Mulatu Asatke And The Black Jesus Experience won Best Tour, Dan Kelly snared Best Male Artist, Jess Harlen got Best Female Artist, and Bliss N Eso won Best Band.
Former Best New Artist-winners Little Red won Best Song for ‘Rock It’ and The Holidays scored Best Album for Post Paradise.
The awards were tabulated from over 45,000 public votes.
SLAM organisers Helen Marcou and Quincy McLean were awarded a special nod for Services to the Victorian Music Community and the legendary Paul Kelly was inducted into the EG “Steve Waldon” Hall Of Fame.
Ergo, it was Kelly’s night all ‘round. Following an opening performance from hot new act Eagle And The Worm, The Drones’ Gareth Liddiard, Adalita, Washington, Dan Kelly and Spencer P Jones all performed a song of their own and a classic Kelly cover.
Then Paul himself stepped up for a greatest hits set with the EG All Stars Band, as well as surprise guests Tim Rogers on ‘I Can’t Believe We Were Married’ and Evan Dando on ‘From St Kilda To Kings Cross’.
Yet another glorious night celebrating the best talent Australia has, as well as a worthy event as all proceeds from the tickets went to Support Act, a charity which helps musicians and production crew through tough times.
So far, the EG Awards have raised over $50,000 for Support Act.
