After owning the stage at the recent ARIA Awards winning five awards, Baker Boy will need to look at upgrading his mantelpiece after scoring three gongs at the 2022 Music Victoria Awards.
The 'Cool As Hell' rapper walked away with the awards for Best Song ('Survive'), 'Best Album' ('Gela') and Best Regional Act; Baker Boy now has won a total of eight Music Victoria Awards.The evening featured a number of repeat winners with punk band Pinch Points winning Best Rock or Punk Work (after they scored the Best Breakthrough Act in 2020).
Jazz musician Barney McAll collected the Best Jazz Work for a second time (first claiming the award in 2015), while Harvey Sutherland was awarded Best Electronic Act after his previous win for the same award in 2016.
Julia Jacklin followed up her recent ARIA win for Best Adult Contemporary Album by collecting another Victoria Music Award, this time for Best Solo Artist.
Alongside Baker Boy, Indigenous talent was well represented with Australia's queen of soul Emma Donovan scoring Best Group for Emma Donovan & The Putbacks. Noongar woman and Naarm artist Bumpy was awarded the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent, while highly revered Melbourne artist Mo'Ju walked away with the award for Best Soul, Funk, RNB or Gospel Work.
The Music Victoria Awards also paid homage to some of the State's most prolific artists, with Paul Kelly inducting Deborah Conway AM into the Hall of Fame, before Best Country winners Georgia State Line performed their rendition of Conway's iconic track 'It's Only the Beginning'.
Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin from The Drones and Tropical F... Storm were also on stage to induct Helen Marcou AM and Ian 'Quincy' McLean AM of Bakehouse Studios into the Hall of Fame, after spending more than 25 years helping strengthen the nation's music culture.
"When we signed the lease on 1 Bakehouse Lane in 1991, we couldn't have imagined that over the next three decades, Bakehouse would become a home and a connection to generations of artists," Helen and Quincy says.
"Everywhere we go, we meet someone with a heart-warming 'Bakey' story. We are humbled to work alongside the wealth of Victoria's brilliant musical minds, as they interpret, elevate and define our lives in song.
"This induction writes our names next to giants from our community and although it's an overwhelming honour, this recognition helps keep our flame burning."
The sentimental moment of the evening arrived when Uncle Kutcha Edwards performed his rendition of 'Old Mission Road' paying tribute to the late, great Archie Roach. Local outfit Jazzparty then closed out the evening with a live performance of their 2016 song 'Higher With My Love'.
"Last night's Music Victoria Awards ceremony was bursting at the seams with the community, camaraderie, and solidarity that we have seen from the music community throughout the Music Victoria Awards campaign," Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel says.
"It was an honour to witness three generations in attendance, alongside the full spectrum of the industry involved in contemporary music.
"In the last year, the Victorian music industry has done it tough, and we have lost some important figures. Everyone in that room, even those who tuned in from home, knows exactly why we do it – the celebration, the tears, and the soul moving, humanising, joyous music.
"Congratulations to all involved – the entrants, the nominees, the judges, the sponsor and partners, the staff, the performers, and the deserving winners."
Adds City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp: "The City of Melbourne is a proud supporter of the Music Victoria Awards. We know that in turn we're providing our support to our tremendous and intrepid arts and music scene.
"Thank you to Simone Schinkel and the entire team of Music Victoria for shining a spotlight on the excellence in our local music scene and our talent."
Music Victoria Awards 2022 Winners
Hall of Fame Inductees
Deborah Conway AMHelen Marcou AM
Ian 'Quincy' McLean AM
